1161 I have given my love to the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my cry and my prayer. 2 He has let my request come before him, and I will make my prayer to him all my days. 3 The nets of death were round me, and the pains of the underworld had me in their grip; I was full of trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I made my prayer to the Lord, saying, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble. 5 The Lord is full of grace and righteousness; truly, he is a God of mercy. 6 The Lord keeps the simple; I was made low, and he was my saviour. 7 Come back to your rest, O my soul; for the Lord has given you your reward. 8 You have taken my soul from the power of death, keeping my eyes from weeping, and my feet from falling. 9 I will go before the Lord in the land of the living.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 116:1-9
Commentary on Psalm 116:1-9
(Read Psalm 116:1-9)
We have many reasons for loving the Lord, but are most affected by his loving-kindness when relieved out of deep distress. When a poor sinner is awakened to a sense of his state, and fears that he must soon sink under the just wrath of God, then he finds trouble and sorrow. But let all such call upon the Lord to deliver their souls, and they will find him gracious and true to his promise. Neither ignorance nor guilt will hinder their salvation, when they put their trust in the Lord. Let us all speak of God as we have found him; and have we ever found him otherwise than just and good? It is of his mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls; and if at all drawn from their rest, let them haste to return, remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them. We should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with over-much sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now conceive.