Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

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 116:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:6

The Lord preserveth the simple ,.... Such as have but a small degree of understanding, either in things natural or spiritual, in comparison of others; babes, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it, so in the Talmud F9 T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 110. 2. ; see Matthew 11:25 . Such who are sensible of their lack of wisdom, and what they have they do not lean unto or trust in, but being sensible of their weakness commit themselves to the Lord; they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 116:7

Return unto thy rest, O my soul ,.... To a quiet and tranquil state after much distress F11 "Remigrat animus nunc denuo mihi", Plauti Epidicus, Acts 4 . Sc. 1. v. 42. ; a soliloquy, an address to his own soul to return to God his resting place, as Kimchi; or to Christ, whose rest is glorious, and which lies in a cessation from a man's own works; not from doing them, but from depending on them, or from labouring for life by them; in a deliverance from the bondage of the law, its curse... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:6

The Lord preserved the simple - פתאים pethaim , which all the Versions render little ones. Those who are meek and lowly of heart, who feel the spirit of little children, these he preserves, as he does little children; and he mentions this circumstance, because the Lord has a peculiar regard for these young ones, and gives his angels charge concerning them. Were it otherwise, children are exposed to so many dangers and deaths, that most of them would fall victims to accidents in their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:7

Return unto thy rest, O my soul - God is the center to which all immortal spirits tend, and in connection with which alone they can find rest. Every thing separated from its center is in a state of violence; and, if intelligent, cannot be happy. All human souls, while separated from God by sin, are in a state of violence, agitation, and misery. From God all spirits come; to him all must return, in order to be finally happy. This is true in the general case; though, probably, the rest spoken... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:5

Verse 5 5Jehovah is gracious. He comes now to point out the fruits of that love of which he spoke, setting before him God’s titles, in order that they might serve to preserve his faith in him. First, he denominates him gracious, because he is so ready graciously to render assistance. From this source springs that justice which he displays for the protection of his own people. To this is subjoined mercy, without which we would not deserve God’s aid. And as the afflictions which overtake us... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 116:7

Verse 7 7Return, O my soul! unto thy rest. He now exhorts himself to be of good courage; or rather, addressing his soul, tells it to be tranquil, because God was propitious towards him. By the term rest, some commentators understand God himself, but this is an unnatural interpretation. It is rather to be regarded as expressive of a calm and composed state of mind. For it is to be noticed, that David confesses himself to have been sorely agitated and perplexed amid an accumulation of ills, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 116:1-9

God the Deliverer. I. CELEBRATES A GREAT DELIVERANCE . ( Psalms 116:3-8 .) 1. From threatened death . ( Psalms 116:3 .) 2. From the pains of the unseen world or of death . ( Psalms 116:3 .) 3. His whole nature is troubled and sorrowful . ( Psalms 116:3 .) II. THE MEANS OR INSTRUMENTS OF HIS DELIVERANCE . 1. Prayer . ( Psalms 116:1-4 .) 2. The goodness and mercy of Go d. ( Psalms 116:5 , Psalms 116:6 .) III. THE ... read more

Group of Brands