BCP Evensong 27/8/06 - Psalm 116
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 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, save my life!"
5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.
6 The LORD protects 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 walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted"; 11 I said in my consternation, "Everyone is a liar." 12 What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty 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 faithful ones. 16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice 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!
Suggestion Psalmist has recovered from an illness, being near death, v.3.
Also suggestion he had been in physical danger because someone had lied, v.11.
God has delivered him which leads him to publicly praise God
Joni Eareckson Tada:
"A sacrifice of praise will always cost you something. It will be a difficult thing to do. It requires trading in our pride, our anger, and most valued of all, our human logic. We will be compelled to voice our words of praise firmly and precisely, even as our logic screams that God has no idea what he's doing. Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were penned by men and women who faced crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other intolerable situations."
Look at this by seeing what God does, and how the Psalmist responds.
God:
Hears. 2 Because he inclined his ear to me, c.f Prayer.
Protects, v.6
6 The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
"Simple" those who have a child-like trust in God, not those who are stupid!
Provides rest,
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
Peace of knowing God through Christ
Saves 8
For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
God who saves through Jesus to eternal life.
Values the faithful so much that death is an appointment,
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful ones.
Brings us confidence.
Psalmist almost died, v. 3, yet wasn't part of God's plan.
Freedom, v. 16b You have loosed my bonds.
We are free in and through Christ. Free from the fear of death, free to worship, praise & serve God
Response
Love, v.1, expressed by
Walking in God's ways, 9 I walk before the LORD in the land of the living. Reminder to us.
Faith, 10 I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted"; Reminder to persevere.
Service, v.16. 16 O LORD, I am your servant; I am your servant,
Public thanksgiving & praise , honouring a vow17 I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the LORD.
Parallels with Christ,
Servanthood
Prayer
Suffering death and deliverance
The Message
1 I love GOD because he listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy.
2 He listened so intently as I laid out my case before him.
3 Death stared me in the face, hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn;
4 then I called out to GOD for help: "Please, GOD!" I cried out. "Save my life!"
5 GOD is gracious--it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God.
6 GOD takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.
7 I said to myself, "Relax and rest. GOD has showered you with blessings.
8 Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."
9 I'm striding in the presence of GOD, alive in the land of the living!
10 I stayed faithful, though bedeviled, and despite a ton of bad luck,
11 Despite giving up on the human race, saying, "They're all liars and cheats."
12 What can I give back to GOD for the blessings he's poured out on me?
13 I'll lift high the cup of salvation--a toast to GOD! I'll pray in the name of GOD;
14 I'll complete what I promised GOD I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people.
15 When they arrive at the gates of death, GOD welcomes those who love him.
16 Oh, GOD, here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!
17 I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of GOD.
18 I'll complete what I promised GOD I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people,
19 In the place of worship, in GOD's house, in Jerusalem, GOD's city. Hallelujah!
You awaken us to delight in your praise; for you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430)