Introduction We all experience troubles and cry out for help. In such times God’s Word provides comfort, esp. the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 116). Writer of Psalm 116 is unknown (David? Hezekiah?). For sure this Psalmist had suffered a great trial. Illness? Some other threat to his life? v. 3 Regardless, this psalm provides valuable lessons, much comfort and encouragement as we face the trials of life.

Introduction Psalm 116 embraces four main points: Vv. 1-2: the Psalmist expresses his love and grati- tude to God for His mercy in answering his prayer for deliverance and pledges greater service to God. Vv. 3-4: he describes the depths of his suffering. Vv. 5-11: he describes the mercy and goodness of God due to answered prayer for deliverance. Vv. 12-19: he concludes with a solemn declaration of praise and promises to pay his vows and serve God.

Jehovah Delivers His People Psalm 116

Gratitude for God’s mercy: vv. 1-2 Psalmist expresses his love for God: Phil. 4:6-7 We have so many reasons to love God: Psa. 150 We need to remember to express our gratitude to God: Rom. 1:21 Never blame God for the bad things that happen to good people! Job 2:10; Jas. 1:17; Rom. 8:28; Psa. 106:1; Heb. 11:6 1 “I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Jehovah Delivers His People

The depth of suffering: vv. 3-4 What intense expression! Man’s greatest fear is death. The sorrow and pain of death become representative of our most intense anguish (e.g., “I’m dying here!”) Source of the Psalmist’s anguish: Bodily suffering, sickness? 2 Kgs. 20 Mental suffering? 3 “The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!’” Jehovah Delivers His People

The depth of suffering: vv. 3-4 In his awful anguish the Psalmist did what we should do when faced with trials and suffering: He didn’t blame God for his troubles. He didn’t blame others for his anguish. He “called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, save me!’” The absolute worst thing we can do when suffering is to turn away from the Lord! Psa. 46:1-3 Don’t fear trials and tribulations! Embrace them! Jas. 1:2-5; Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 13:5 Jehovah Delivers His People

God’s grace and mercy described and praised: vv. 5-11 5 “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. 6 The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.   8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the Lord In the land of the living. 10 I believed, therefore I spoke, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’ 11 I said in my haste, ‘All men are liars.’” The Psalmist praises God for three things: His grace: Eph. 2:8; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Cor. 15:57 His righteousness: Deut. 7:9; Heb. 4:15-16; 1 Jn. 1:9 His mercy: Eph. 2:4-8 God “preserves the simple”; are you “simple”? Lk. 8:15; Matt. 18:3; Jn. 1:47; Isa. 66:2 The Psalmist was “brought low” but God’s grace, righteousness and mercy delivered him: Eph. 3:20; Psa. 55:22; Phil. 4:6-7 Jehovah Delivers His People

God’s grace and mercy described and praised: vv. 5-11 The Psalmist praises God for deliverance from “death,” “tears,” and “from falling.” Ever felt like the Psalmist? Deut. 28:67 Did you respond as the Psalmist responded? Psa. 27:13-14; 2 Cor. 12:7-10 The Psalmist could only speak as he did because he remained faithful in his time of affliction: 2 Cor. 4:13 The Psalmist says, “All men are liars.” Why? At all times we must reach out to those who are suffering! Gal. 6:2 Jehovah Delivers His People

God’s grace and mercy described and praised: vv. 5-11 In times of anguish we must do three things: Put things in perspective: 2 Cor. 4:16-18 Be patient: Psa. 27:13-14 Remain totally focused on God: Psa. 33:20-22 Jehovah Delivers His People

Solemn declaration to praise and serve God: vv. 12-19 12 “What shall I render to the Lord For all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people.   15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints. 16 O Lord, truly 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 will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the Lord's house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! In the final section the Psalmist acknowledges his need to respond to God’s gracious dealings. Shouldn’t this always be our natural reaction! Rom. 1 “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” v. 13: “I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 2:3-5 v. 14: “I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people.” Jehovah Delivers His People

Solemn declaration to praise and serve God: vv. 12-19 Psalmist vowed in private; fulfilled in public. Not making a show; but for men to understand his great gratitude to God for deliverance: Isa. 38:20 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Our death is of great importance to God! As our life glorifies Him, so does our death! Should serve as great a motivation for us! Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27 Jehovah Delivers His People

Solemn declaration to praise and serve God: vv. 12-19 Because of his deliverance the Psalmist feels obligated to give himself entirely to God: He understands God’s deliverance obligates him to keep his vow, do we? Eph. 5:3; Rom. 12:1-2 He remembers, perhaps, the godly training he received from his mother: 2 Tim. 1:5; Eph. 6:1- 2; Prov. 22:6 16 “O Lord, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds.” Jehovah Delivers His People

Solemn declaration to praise and serve God: vv. 12-19 He adds: “You have loosed my bonds.” What a joy we experience when God makes the shadows of darkness flee from our lives! 17 “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.   18 I will pay my vows to the Lord Now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the Lord's house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord! Jehovah Delivers His People

Conclusion We have so much to be thankful to God for! 2 Pet. 1:2-4: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Cor. 1:3-4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation,”