Psalm 116:1-5 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 116:1-9

In this part of the psalm we have, I. A general account of David's experience, and his pious resolutions (Ps. 116:1, 2), which are as the contents of the whole psalm, and give an idea of it. 1. He had experienced God's goodness to him in answer to prayer: He has heard my voice and my supplications. David, in straits, had humbly and earnestly begged mercy of God, and God had heard him, that is, had graciously accepted his prayer, taken cognizance of his case, and granted him an answer of peace.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:1

I love the Lord ,.... As the Messiah, David's antitype, did; of which he gave the fullest proof by his obedience to his will; and as David, the man after God's own heart, did, and as every good man does; and the Lord is to be loved for the perfections of his nature, and especially as they are displayed in Christ, and salvation by him; and for his works of creation, providence, and grace, and particularly for his great love shown in redemption, regeneration, and other blessings of grace, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me ,.... Not as hard of hearing, for his ear is not heavy that it cannot hear; he is quick of hearing, and his ears are always open to the righteous; it rather denotes his readiness to hear; he hearkens and hears, he listens to what his people say, and hears them at once, and understands them, though ever so broken and confused; when their prayers are but like the chatterings of a crane or swallow, or only expressed in sighs and groans, and even without... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:3

The sorrows of death compassed me ,.... Christ, of whom David was a type, was a man of sorrows all his days; and in the garden he was surrounded with sorrow; exceeding sorrowful even unto death, in a view of the sins of his people imputed to him, and under a sense of wrath for them, he was about to bear; and his agonies in the article of death were very grievous, he died the painful and accursed death of the cross. This was true of David, when Saul and his men compassed him on every side,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:4

Then called I upon the name of the Lord ,.... Upon the Lord himself in prayer for speedy deliverance; or "in the name of the Lord" F8 בשם יהוה "in nomine Domini", Montanus, Musculus, Vatablus. , in the name of the Messiah, the only Mediator between God and man; "saying", as follows, and which word may be supplied, O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul ; from these sorrows and pains, from these afflictions and distresses, from death and the grave, and from wrath, and a sense... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:5

Gracious is the Lord ,.... So the psalmist found him, calling upon him; so he is in Christ, the author and giver of all grace, to help in time of need. And righteous ; faithful to his promises, just in every dispensation of his providence, even in afflictive ones; righteous in punishing the enemies of his people, and in saving, justifying, and pardoning them for Christ's sake. Yea, our God is merciful ; compassionate, tenderhearted, a heart full of pity, as a father to his child; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:1

I love the Lord because he hath heard - How vain and foolish is the talk, "To love God for his benefits to us is mercenary, and cannot be pure love!" Whether pure or impure, there is no other love that can flow from the heart of the creature to its Creator. We love him, said the holiest of Christ's disciples, because he first loved us; and the increase of our love and filial obedience is in proportion to the increased sense we have of our obligation to him. We love him for the benefits... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear - The psalmist represents himself to be so sick and weak, that he could scarcely speak. The Lord, in condescension to this weakness, is here considered as bowing down his ear to the mouth of the feeble suppliant, that he may receive every word of his prayer. Therefore will I call upon him - I have had such blessed success in my application to him, that I purpose to invoke him as long as I shall live. He that prays much will be emboldened to pray more,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:3

The sorrows of death - מות חבלי chebley maveth , the cables or cords of death; alluding to their bonds and fetters during their captivity; or to the cords by which a criminal is bound who is about to be led out to execution; or to the bandages in which the dead were enveloped, when head, arms, body, and limbs were all laced down together. The pains of hell - שאול מצרי metsarey sheol the straitnesses of the grave. So little expectation was there of life, that he speaks as if he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:5

Gracious is the Lord - In his own nature. And righteous - In all his dealings with men. Our God is merciful - Of tender compassion to all penitents. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 116:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:5

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