# Psalm 116 š: I Love the Lord
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 115]] | [[Psalm 117]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]I love theĀ Lord
because he heard my plea for mercy,
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā and listened to me.
As long as I live, I will call to him when I need help.
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā The ropes of death tightened around me,
the snaresĀ of Sheol confronted me.
I was confrontedĀ with trouble and sorrow.
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā I called on the name of theĀ Lord,
āPlease,Ā Lord, rescue my life!ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ is merciful and fair;
our God is compassionate.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ protectsĀ the untrained;
I was in serious troubleĀ and he delivered me.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā Rest once more, my soul,
for theĀ LordĀ has vindicated you.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā Yes,Ā Lord,Ā you rescued my life from death,
kept my eyes from tears
and my feet from stumbling.
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā I will serveĀ theĀ Lord
in the landĀ of the living.
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā I had faith when I said,
āI am severely oppressed.ā
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā I rashly declared,
āAll men are liars.ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā How can I repay theĀ Lord
for all his acts of kindness to me?
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā I will celebrate my deliverance,
and call on the name of theĀ Lord.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā I will fulfill my vows to theĀ Lord
before all his people.
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ values
the lives of his faithful followers.
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā Yes,Ā Lord! I am indeed your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your female servant.
You saved me from death.
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā I will present a thank offering to you,
and call on the name of theĀ Lord.
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā I will fulfill my vows to theĀ Lord
before all his people,
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā in the courts of theĀ Lordās temple,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise theĀ Lord!
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Psalm 116 is part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118), sung at the Passover meal.
2. "The ropes of death" and the snares of Sheol (116:3) picture death as a hunter trapping its prey.
3. Sheol (116:3) is the Hebrew name for the grave or the realm of the dead.
4. The "cup of salvation" (116:13) may refer to a drink offering poured out in thanks at the temple.
5. Paul quotes 116:10 in 2 Corinthians 4:13: "I believed; therefore I spoke."
6. The word "precious" in 116:15 carries the idea of something costly, so the death of God's people is never cheap in His eyes.
7. "The son of your female servant" (116:16) describes someone born into a household as a servant, a picture of lifelong belonging.
8. The psalmist vows to pay his vows in front of all God's people (116:14, 18), making his thanksgiving public.
9. The Greek Septuagint divides this psalm into two, beginning a new psalm at verse 10.
10. The psalm ends in the courts of the Lord's house in Jerusalem (116:19), the setting for public thanksgiving.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One who drank the cup of suffering so that we could lift up the cup of salvation (116:13). He took the cup of God's wrath in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) and gives us the cup of the new covenant (Luke 22:20).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. The psalmist loves the Lord because the Lord heard his cry (116:1-2). How has answered prayer deepened your love for God?
2. He tells his soul to return to its rest because the Lord has been good (116:7). Where does your soul need to return to rest in God?
3. He asks, "How can I repay the Lord?" and answers by worshiping and keeping his vows publicly (116:12-14). How do you respond to God's goodness?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verses 1-2: I love the Lord because He hears my voice and listens when I call.
- š verse 13: I will lift up the cup of deliverance and call on the name of the Lord.
- š verse 15: The death of His faithful followers is precious in the Lord's sight.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Matthew 26#Verse 39.|Matthew 26:39]] - My Father, let this cup pass from Me.
- š [[Luke 22#Verse 20.|Luke 22:20]] - The cup of the new covenant in My blood.
- š [[2 Corinthians 04#Verse 13.|2 Corinthians 4:13]] - I believed, and so I spoke.
- š [[Hebrews 02#Verse 14.|Hebrews 2:14-15]] - Christ frees those held by the fear of death.
- š [[1 Corinthians 15#Verse 54.|1 Corinthians 15:54-57]] - Death is swallowed up in victory.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[Psalm 116- SOAP|Slaves to Servants to Sons]]
## š Internal Notes