Psalm 116: November 22—Give thanks

Nov 5, 2009
By MARK RATHEL

RATHEL

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (d. 1861) wrote one of my favorite poems. The opening line reads, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, perhaps we should ask another question. “How do I thank thee? Let me count the ways.” Sing “Count Your Blessings,” but ask, “How do I thank thee?”

Psalm 116 is part of a section of psalms known as the Hallel (Ps 113-118). The Jews sang these hymns as they advanced on their Passover journey toward the city of Jerusalem. The worship pilgrims sang these hymns as corporate songs of worship, yet the focus on the content of this psalm is personal. Count the number of times “I”, “me,” of “my” occur. Jesus and the apostles sang this hymn the night of the observance of Passover.

Believers are not immune from the trials of life. The author of Psalm 116 experienced death as a close threat (vv. 3, 8) as well as the deceitfulness of humans (v. 11).

The Psalmist, however, also experienced deliverance from the mighty hand of God. The act of deliverance became the occasion for this hymn of thanksgiving.

How can I thank God? The Psalmist celebrated three mighty actions of God in his life and detailed four expressions of thanksgiving.

First, thank God by expressing your love towards God (Ps. 116:1-8). The Psalm begins, “I love.”

The Hebrew word for love connotes a “burning.” Yet, the total biblical teaching reminds us, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 HCSB).

The Psalmist expressed love towards God because he received evidence of God’s love. God heard his prayer!

In Old-Saxon, “think” and “thank” are related terms. Thinking multiplies and releases our thankfulness. The Psalmist thought and recalled the actions of God in his life.

First, think about the very nature of God. God is gracious, righteous, and compassionate (v. 5). God responds to our need in ways we do not deserve.

Second, God heard his prayer (1-2). In fact, God “turned his ear” or leaned to hear eagerly the slightest cry of the soul in need.

Third, God delivered Him (6-8). Personified death wrapped him with cords to allow no escape. The term “Sheol” derives from the Hebrew word “to ask.” Sheol, the shadowy place of the grave, requested him. God rescued the psalmist from death, from tears, and from stumbling. God delivered him from danger. As well, the image of “rest” indicates that God blessed with a fullness of provision.

Second, thank God by pledging your life to God. Eight times the psalmist said, “I will.” First, the Psalmist pledged to pray throughout his life (vv. 2). Prayer is intimate, personal, conversational time with God.

Further, the psalmist pledged to walk before the Lord (v. 9). In the Hebrew Bible, the concept “walk” went far beyond mere physical activity. “Walk” described an ethical life in which the believer avoided all that displeased God in through, language, relationships, and ambitions. The Psalmist pledged to live life “before the Lord”, that is, to live life with a sense of the presence of God monitoring all aspects of life.

Additionally, the Psalmist pledged to receive more of the blessings of God (v. 13). When I visited my mother when she enjoyed good health, the way in which she received thanks for a good meal was for me to ask for more.

A believer thanks God for salvation as he or she picks up the cup of salvation and drinks deeply.

Finally, the Psalmist pledged to pay his vows to the Lord (vv.14, 18). In the midst of his anguish, the Psalmist made vows to God. He performed those vows immediately and publicly before all the people.

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