Ps 116:1-19. The writer celebrates the deliverance from extreme perils by which he was favored, and pledges grateful and pious public acknowledgments.
1, 2. A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses (Ps 116:13 Ps 55:16 86:7; compare Ps 17:6 31:2).
3, 4. For similar figures for distress see Ps 18:4,5. gat hold upon me--Another sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease. 5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his "soul," Ps 11:1 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities (Ps 116:8) are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Ps 56:13). 9. walk before the Lord--act, or live under His favor and guidance (Ge 17:1 Ps 61:7). land of the living--(Ps 27:13). 10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Ps 68:8,9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.
11. in my haste--literally, "terror," or "agitation," produced by his affliction (compare Ps 31:22).
12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Ps 116:4 Ps 50:14 Jon 2:9). 13. the cup of salvation--the drink offering which was part of the thank offering (Nu 15:3-5). 14. now--(compare Ps 115:2). "Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c. 15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people. 17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.
