The Road to Thanksgiving (An Exposition of Psalm 116) - Pt.1

Psalm 116 is part of a group of psalms known as the Egyptian Hallel.  Psalms 113-118 have been understood as psalms sung during the Jewish Passover, remembering their exodus from Egypt. 

The word hallel refers to the frequent use of the word hallelujah, found in these psalms.  These were psalms of thanksgiving.  Where does Psalm 116 fit into this group of songs?

• Psalm 113 praises the uniqueness of the God of Israel.
• Psalm 114 recounts the power of God leading Israel from Egypt.
• Psalm 115 compares the God of Israel with the pagan gods.
• Psalm 116 is a song of gratitude and commitment.
• Psalm 117 is a call for universal praise.
• Psalm 118 is a Messianic psalm pointing us to the Christ.

Psalm 116 holds a special significance for Christians.  "We should not forget that our Lord and His disciples sang this psalm in the Upper Room as they observed their last Passover together. The cup of salvation mentioned in verse 13 may have been the third cup drunk at Passover and could well be that referred to by the Apostle Paul as “… the cup of blessing …” (1 Cor 10:16)." [1]

Psalm 116 is clearly a song of gratitude whereby the singer is thankful for being saved from certain death.  It is important because his gratitude results in a commitment to respond in loyalty and love for his redeemer.  It is considered a personal song that was adopted by the congregation in liturgical worship.  Spurgeon commented about it:

"Personal love fostered by a personal experience of redemption is the theme of this Psalm, and in it we see the redeemed answered when they pray, preserved in time of trouble, resting in their God, walking at large, sensible of their obligations, conscious that they are not their own but bought with a price, and joining with all the ransomed company to sing hallelujahs unto God." [2]

The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the Vulgate (Latin translation of the Bible) actually break the psalm into two psalms (1-9) and (10-19). The structure is difficult to ascertain, but to find the psalmist's structure is in itself important. There is always the sense in Hebraic poetry that the structure communicates the message -- as do the words. 

Within the Egyptian Hallel the movement of songs from praise to God through to universal proclamation and Christological expectation grants us the insight to suggest that thanksgiving without follow-through is critical.  To regard someone or something with gratitude and not express it in practical and lifestyle loyalty borders on hypocrisy.  For example to be thankful for the helpfulness of a police department and then live in rebellion to the civil laws is truly an unusual form of thankfulness.  

Does my thankfulness to God translate into life?  This proves to be an important question that springs out of this Psalm.  This is also posed by the central question of the Psalm: “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?” (Psalm 116:12, ESV).

Father as I journey through this psalm, I pray for real, genuine and heartfelt thankfulness.  How could it not be?  You have saved me from death and moved me into life -- eternal life.  Is that a small thing?  Is that not the most momentous event that any human being could experience?  Why would there not be an eternal overflow of gratitude?  Change my heart Oh God, make it ever new.  Grant a refreshment of thanksgiving to flow through this heart.  I long for that work of the Spirit that explodes in joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Take these ancient words and cause them to penetrate the callousness of ingratitude.  For the sake of Christ, for the overflow of joy in His Church; and for my eternal happiness.  Amen.

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1.  KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (1142). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
2. http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps116.htm