Song of Thanksgiving

Song of Thanksgiving Psalm 116 The Basics • Unknown Psalmist – Could be David (some have even theorized Jonah). • Egyptian Hallel Psalm: Psalm 113-118, almost certainly sung by Jesus at the last supper. • Four Phrases to Remember: 1. Responsive Worship 2. Mortal Danger 3. God’s Deliverance 4. Grateful Resolution Responsive Worship • First word: “I love …” • “Because” v. 1, 2, 7, 8 (for) • The writer is responding in worship primary because God was responsive to him: 1. Yahweh “heard” my voice and pitiful moans (v. 1) 2. Yahweh “stretched out” his ear toward me (v. 2) 3. Yahweh responded to these prayers with three distinct actions: saved (v. 6); dealt bountifully (v. 7); delivered (v. 8) Mortal Danger • Descriptions of Trouble in the Moment (v. 3) 1. Ropes of Death 2. Pangs of the Grave 3. Emotional Trauma • Assessment of Trouble in the Aftermath (v. 8-10) 1. My life was in danger of death (v. 8a) 2. My eyes wept flowing springs of tears (v. 8b) 3. My feet were stumbling (v. 8c) 4. Afflicted = vulnerable (v. 10; see Is. 31:4 – like prey to a lion) 5. Aghast at people lying and piling on (v. 12) God’s Deliverance • Rooted in the Character of God: 1. Gracious – God cares about the poor man’s clothes (Exodus 22:27) 2. Righteous – specifically used for God keeping His promise to deliver those who call (Daniel 9:7; Nehemiah 9:8) 3. Merciful – Compassionate, always has the idea of both subject and object (father pities his children; judge is compassionate toward the convicted) • Concrete Blessings of God: the Psalmist is clear that it wasn’t merely a one-time act of deliverance, but ongoing bounty in the aftermath (v. 7) Grateful Resolution 1. I will celebrate salvation – v. 13 2. I will publicly call on the name of the Lord – v. 13, 17 3. I will publicly pay my vows – v. 14, 18 4. I will make a sacrificial offering of thanks – v. 17 (see Leviticus 7:12; Jonah 2:9; Psalm 50:14).