Theme: What Shall I Repay?
Text: Psalm 116
"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"(Psalm 107:1)
Introduction:
The key verse of this psalm is our theme: “What shall I repay” or offer or render or return or give to the Lord? Psalmists had all kinds of experiences with Jehovah. The experiences of the present, the experiences of the past, and the expectations of the future. That is, “He listens to me (Psalm 116:1-2), he listened to me (Psalm 116:3-12), and he will listen to me (Psalm 116:13-19).” It shows his unshakable confidence in God because of his faith and hope. In fact, Psalm 116:13-14 condenses the meaning of the whole Psalm as THANKSGIVING psalm. It has acts of trust, witness, and gratitude, to God.
1. An act of Trust: He listens to me (Psalm 116:1-2)
The first two verses talk about the love of the Psalmist to the Lord; he hears me and listens to me every time I Call – the present daily experience of the Psalmist (Psalm 116:1-2). God never became frustrated, angered, or became upset. He is always willing to listen without murmur. He serves the Lord like his mother (Psalm 116: 16).
Reading the first two verses of this psalm expresses his understanding of God. He has the confidence that he can call him at any time of the day and night. In any situation of his life. On any day of his life on the earth. He need not wait for the festivals or seasons to call upon the LORD. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. He watches over him (Psalm 121:3-8). 1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
He told Abraham that he would go before him to Canaan. He told Moses that he would go before him to Egypt. He told David to go to war and he assured him that he would go before him. He told disciples that he would go before them to Galilee. Every saint in the Bible had this experience of God as Emmanuel.
Psalm 46 is another excellent psalm to help us to understand the lively experience of God at all times. He is available, ask for help any time, any day, anywhere you might be, and for any purpose, you might need. According to Psalm 91:14-16, since he knows me and loves me, I will deliver him whenever he calls me. We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, one who in every respect has been tempted as we are. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Could you please recall your experiences of God being part of your life as a present helper? God is good. Every moment when you pray, he is there. Are you approaching God confidently and could declare that he is your present help? Just remember that you were heard and still you are in him.
2. An act of witness - He has done bountiful things (Psalm 116:1-12)
The reading of the verses from 3 to 12 makes us understand the blessings of God using three references one is God was generous, he has given all the benefits and unfastened my cord and ties (Psalm 116:7,12,16). He also declares his experience of going through danger, death bed, and walking in the shadow of death. He had filled with fear, anxiety, anguish, grief, trouble, sorrow, and stress. But God has redeemed him and given him a new life. (Psalm 116:3-6).
Then he talks to himself in a monologue, and he comforts himself with confident words of encouragement (Psalm 116:7). He has wiped my tears; he stopped all that were against me. I was completely crushed but I kept on believing in His power and strength. “For You have delivered my life from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling and falling (Psalm 116:8 -AMPC). I said to myself, “Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you’ve been rescued from death; Eye, you’ve been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling.” (Psalm 116:8 -MSG). I trusted in, relied on, and clung to my God (Psalm 116:8-11). So, he acknowledges the goodness of God (Psalm 116:12).
According to Psalm 18:6-19, In my distress I called upon the Lord, I cried for help, he heard my voice and my cry. He was angry. So, the earth reeled and rocked, foundations of the mountains trembled and quaked, Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from Him. He rode on a cherub and flew, came swiftly on the wings of the wind, thunders, and rains went ahead of him. He took me, drew me out, rescued me from my strong enemy. The Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place. How dramatic the experience of David was?
He acknowledged the divine favor in every aspect of life situations and struggles, and challenges, he was bestowed with a load of benefits. So, he wanted to ease himself in expressions of gratitude. These benefits were the provision of food, cloth, and shelter. The preservation during times of danger and calamities, and pandemics. Added to that are the spiritual blessings of redemption, sanctification, adoption, justification, and eternal life (John Hill).
What are the benefits you can think of for you personally, for your spouse, children – say – education, health issues, employment, settlements, travel graces, safety, and security? God has prevented you on many occasions not to lose your strength, faith, and salvation. Count it all (James 1:2-4).
3. An act of gratitude - I will give him (Psalm 116:13-19)
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness (Oxford Dictionary).
He is sure about his salvation experience in God (Psalm 116:13). I will bring the wine offering, the best offering, the pleasing offering, and the acceptable offering. I will give him in the assembly of the Lord. I will give you what I promised (Psalm 116: 14,19). I will pay the thanksgiving offering and will worship him (Psalm 116:17). Repeatedly he said that he would pay his offerings in the midst of the congregation, assembly, his people, and his saints referring to his regular attendance to the fest, worship, and gathering of the saints (Psalm 116: 18.19). I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it in company with his people, In the place of worship, in God’s house, in Jerusalem, God’s city. (Psalm 119:19).
‘The cup of salvation expresses a plural form of the fulness and variety of the manifold and multiform deliverances which God had wrought and was working for the Psalmist’ (McLaren). ‘All recompense failing him, he has recourse to an expression of thanksgiving as the only return which he knows will be acceptable to God. David’s example in this instance teaches us not to treat God’s benefits lightly or carelessly, for if we estimate them according to their value, the very thought of them ought to fill us with admiration.’ (Calvin). In the entire Psalm, the psalmist used the word “Jehovah” to refer to God except in verse 5 as “Elohim” to refer to the compassion of God (refer: The names of God Bible).
Luke 17:15-17, a Samaritan leper was grateful to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Abound in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:7). Psalm 103:1-2 - “Bless the Lord.” Numbers 6:24-26 Priestly Blessing.
