Psalm 116 ~ I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living

The Ultra Talanted BarlowGirl (s) sing a beautiful favorite, O Come Emmanuel



Psalm 116

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible


I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!"

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.

10 I believed, even when I spoke,
"I am greatly afflicted";
11 I said in my alarm,
"All mankind are liars."

12 What shall I render to the LORD
for all his benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD,
14 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!


God's mercy, preservation and blessing. Deliverance from trouble and answered prayer. You can say Psalm 116 has it all. Wonderful Matthew Henry says the Psalms are a warm place to be. And he is right as usual. All of the power and deliberate-ness of the Old Testament and the Love and Mercy of the New Covenant.

Psalm 116 is a favorite of mine. Why? Answered prayer. All the compassion of Love appealing to me in God. Assurance when I am low - He cares for me. The end of tears. Rest, as in a huge sigh. All of this available to me now, not far away. The return of fellowship and good company - my friends. The remembrance not to make friends into gods, for all people let each other down.

Psalm 116 is a happy, soothing Psalm. More joy in joyful times. A balm when there is trouble. My mother's mother used to say in great vexation, "I am greatly afflicted." This is a homecoming Psalm to me. I can remember her loosing something (like Chapstick) in the bathroom and hearing her say that. And rolling on the floor laughing, literally. And other times. My grandmother did have times of real tragedy in her life, but she was a woman who had tremendous joy. She knew where to turn, to her Father God.

I will be someone who's word is their bond. My vows will be honored. I want to be that person, who can be relied upon.

Precious to my Father is the end of my life. Not haphazard intention, but careful consideration. A hope and a future. Not a down spiraling. Going from this life like my grandmother used to pray - like a whole Camellia flower. Remembering again - thanksgiving - is the best and most basic guide to living, being and dwelling in blessing.


And again; Why would giving thanks be a sacrifice? We have to give up what our selfishness calls for and see the blessings God bestows, gives and packs into our lives. We have to be willing to look, search and be grateful each day.

I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice

The blessings are there - we have to be willing to look for them. In the way we are all selfish and self-centered, it requires some deliberate effort. Not just to make the choice to be happy, but to appreciate the real goodness God has placed in our lives. In turn, being the right person to bless each situation.


I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD!




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