Psalm 116:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

NIV: For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,

NASB: For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from stumbling.

CSB: For you, Lord, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

NLT: He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

KJV: For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

NKJV: For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.

Psalm 116:5–11 emphasizes the Lord's mercy and love in rescuing the psalmist from danger. The experience caused the writer to complain about his suffering, and to bitterly compare the perfect faithfulness of God with the dishonesty of humanity. Rest and trust come from recognizing God's goodness.

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 7:54:58 AM