Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Ps 116:1-19.

The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favored, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.

1, 2. A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses

(Ps 116:13; Ps 55:16; 86:7;

compare

Ps 17:6; 31:2).

3, 4. For similar figures for distress see

Ps 18:4, 5.

gat hold upon me--Another sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease.

5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his "soul,"

Ps 11:1; 16:10)

of rest and peace. All calamities

[Ps 116:8]

are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet

(Ps 56:13).

9. walk before the Lord--act, or live under His favor and guidance

(Ge 17:1; Ps 61:7).

land of the living--

(Ps 27:13).

10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable

(Ps 68:8, 9).

He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.

11. in my haste--literally, "terror," or "agitation," produced by his affliction (compare

Ps 31:22).

12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare

Ps 116:4; Ps 50:14; Jon 2:9).

13. the cup of salvation--the drink offering which was part of the thank offering

(Nu 15:3-5).

14. now--(compare

Ps 115:2).

"Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c.

15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.

17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.