Psalm 116:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?

NIV: What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

NASB: What shall I repay to the Lord For all His benefits to me?

CSB: How can I repay the Lord for all the good he has done for me?

NLT: What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?

KJV: What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

NKJV: What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me?

Psalm 116:12–14 considers how the psalmist should react to God's merciful rescue. Being saved from death, the writer promises to worship God faithfully. He also plans to make His praise of God public. This is not spoken as if a payment is due, or that his rescue was dependent on making a deal with God. Rather, it is the natural response of someone grateful for what they have received.

The psalmist thanks God for rescue from a fatal threat. During some intense crisis, the writer cried out to God and was spared. For this reason, the psalmist promises to praise God forever. The danger made this writer question the reasons for his situation, but did not erase his faith. He recognizes that the Lord values all of His people, and vows to publicly honor the One who has saved him.

Major Jewish celebrations incorporated a series of songs (Psalms 113—118), often called "the Hallel." These frequently use the phrase halelu-yāh, better known in English as "hallelujah." This literally means "Praise the Lord!" Psalm 116 emphasizes the personal salvation experienced by the psalmist. His words explore the way God's people often struggle to understand hardships (Psalm 73:2–3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 7:49:50 AM