Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Psalms Ch.116 / 150 Ch.s
PS:116
* The psalmist declares his love to the Lord. (1-9) His desire
to be thankful. (10-19)
#1-9 We have many reasons for loving the Lord, but are most
affected by his loving-kindness when relieved out of deep
distress. When a poor sinner is awakened to a sense of his
state, and fears that he must soon sink under the just wrath of
God, then he finds trouble and sorrow. But let all such call
upon the Lord to deliver their souls, and they will find him
gracious and true to his promise. Neither ignorance nor guilt
will hinder their salvation, when they put their trust in the
Lord. Let us all speak of God as we have found him; and have we
ever found him otherwise than just and good? It is of his
mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are
heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls;
and if at all drawn from their rest, let them haste to return,
remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them. We
should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a
great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with over-much
sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right
hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a
temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance
from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory
of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now
conceive.
#10-19 When troubled, we do best to hold our peace, for we are
apt to speak unadvisedly. Yet there may be true faith where
there are workings of unbelief; but then faith will prevail; and
being humbled for our distrust of God's word, we shall
experience his faithfulness to it. What can the pardoned sinner,
or what can those who have been delivered from trouble or
distress, render to the Lord for his benefits? We cannot in any
way profit him. Our best is unworthy of his acceptance; yet we
ought to devote ourselves and all we have to his service. I will
take the cup of salvation; I will offer the drink-offerings
appointed by the law, in token of thankfulness to God, and
rejoice in God's goodness to me. I will receive the cup of
affliction; that cup, that bitter cup, which is sanctified to
the saints, so that to them it is a cup of salvation; it is a
means of spiritual health. The cup of consolation; I will
receive the benefits God bestows upon me, as from his hand, and
taste his love in them, as the portion not only of mine
inheritance in the other world, but of my cup in this. Let
others serve what masters they will, truly I am thy servant. Two
ways men came to be servants. By birth. Lord, I was born in thy
house; I am the son of thine handmaid, and therefore thine. It
is a great mercy to be children of godly parents. By redemption.
Lord, thou hast loosed my bonds, thou hast discharged me from
them, therefore I am thy servant. The bonds thou hast loosed
shall tie me faster unto thee. Doing good is sacrifice, with
which God is well pleased; and this must accompany giving thanks
to his name. Why should we offer that to the Lord which cost us
nothing? The psalmist will pay his vows now; he will not delay
the payment: publicly, not to make a boast, but to show he is
not ashamed of God's service, and to invite others to join him.
Such are true saints of God, in whose lives and deaths he will
be glorified.