What does Psalm chapter 116 mean?

Each psalm in the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalm 113—118) focuses on an aspect of God's relationship to His people. An early statement in this block refers to Israel's rescue from Egypt (Psalm 114:1); these songs were associated with Jewish festivals such as Passover. This passage concentrates on the personal experience of God's intervention.

At some point, the psalmist faced a dire crisis. Old Testament descriptions of emotion can be melodramatic (Psalm 6:6; 38:3), but this incident appears to be a very literal threat to the psalmist's life. The word sheo refers to the Old Testament concept of the afterlife (Psalm 89:48). Those prayers for rescue were granted, and the writer plans to worship God for the rest of his life in response (Psalm 116:1–4).

Danger and stress take a toll. But the psalmist points out God's attributes of mercy, grace, and justice. This leads to a sense of rest: a trusting freedom from panic or terror. The psalmist has experienced God's power to rescue personally. Not only has God's intervention kept the writer free from failure and anguish, but the Lord has also spared the psalmist's life (Psalm 116:5–9).

Faith in God does not bring immunity to normal human emotions. During this crisis, the psalmist spoke out about the intense hurt he felt. Yet this did not cause him to doubt God. Rather, the psalmist chooses to put faith in the Lord, who never changes (Malachi 3:6), rather than in the dishonest words of men. The writer intends to honor the Lord with vows and public praise (Psalm 116:10–14).

God allows each person to experience many things, and some are tragic. Yet each human life has value. The term translated "precious" here is from the root word yāqār, which refers to something of great importance and value. Though He knows and controls the hour of our death (Psalm 139:16), the Lord doesn't treat our lives carelessly (Psalm 72:14). What we experience—even when it's painful—is part of God's good plan (Romans 8:28) for those who love Him (Psalm 116:15)

Out of appreciation for God's salvation, the psalmist vows to serve and worship the Lord. Being rescued from some danger or stress is often compared to being freed from chains (Psalm 107:13–14). Related analogies are used for sin (Romans 6:17). With this newfound sense of freedom, the psalmist intends to publicly praise and honor God: to call on His "name" (Psalm 116:16–19).