The Psalmist here expresses great relief and joy after being rescued from a severe trial and pours out thankfulness to the Lord. The trial was so severe that they were overcome with distress and sorrow (3) and saw other human beings as no help at all (11). As severe as the suffering was, the realization of God's goodness in delivering them was equally great. Their soul returns to a peaceful state of resting in God (7). It's good for us to remember times in our lives when God brought us out of a crisis. We can testify, "When I was brought low, he saved me" (6).

When we are thankful, we naturally start to think about what we can do for God (12). It is an appropriate time to recommit ourselves to serve faithfully (14). When our service has the nature of a thanksgiving offering, serving becomes our joy (17). The purest and best gift we can offer God is praise, and so the ending of both Psalm 116 and the short Psalm 117 is "Praise the Lord."


Application: Father, thank you for the times you rescued me and restored peace in my soul after much trouble. I want to serve you faithfully as my thanksgiving offering. I will praise you continually!
One Word: Praise the Lord for his goodness