The Redeemer’s Resurrection-song of Thanksgiving

If this psalm was sung in the upper room, where the cup drunk under the Old Testament dispensation was replaced by the New Testament cup of blessing, then the disciples had now partaken of its contents. As such, they could sing with feeling (v. 13), “I will take the cup of salvation.” 

But essentially the psalm speaks of the experience of our Lord, who had fulfilled His covenant vows in their presence, and anticipated His own death. With an acute awareness, He envisages the sorrows of death and the pains of hell laying hold on Him. That is, the wrath and curse of God was to envelope Him and bring Him down to the grave. Yet even then, He could commit His soul and know that it would enter into rest. He entered into His rest, and His people will also enter into it. Their death is precious, for they die in Christ, and therefore they will live with Him. Though David’s experience is stated here, yet Christ also paid His vows in the midst of Jerusalem, and was true to them unto death.

Psalm 116

 1  I love the Lord, because my voice
       and prayers he did hear.
 2  I, while I live, will call on him,
       who bowed to me his ear.

 3  Of death the cords and sorrows did
       about me compass round;
    The pains of hell took hold on me,
       I grief and trouble found.

 4  Upon the name of God the Lord
       then did I call, and say,
    Deliver thou my soul, O Lord,
       I do thee humbly pray.

 5  God merciful and righteous is,
       yea, gracious is our Lord.
 6  God saves the meek: I was brought low,
       he did me help afford.

 7  O thou my soul, do thou return
       unto thy quiet rest;
    For largely, lo, the Lord to thee
       his bounty hath expressed.

 8  For my distressed soul from death
       delivered was by thee:
    Thou didst my mourning eyes from tears,
       my feet from falling, free.

 9  I in the land of those that live
       will walk the Lord before.
10  I did believe, therefore I spake:
       I was afflicted sore.

11  I said, when I was in my haste,
       that all men liars be.
12  What shall I render to the Lord
       for all his gifts to me?

13  I'll of salvation take the cup,
       on God's name will I call:
14  I'll pay my vows now to the Lord
       before his people all.

15  Dear in God's sight is his saints' death.
16     Thy servant, Lord, am I;
    Thy servant sure, thine handmaid's son:
       my bands thou didst untie.

17  Thank off'rings I to thee will give,
       and on God's name will call.
18  I'll pay my vows now to the Lord
       before his people all;

19  Within the courts of God's own house,
       within the midst of thee,
    O city of Jerusalem.
       Praise to the Lord give ye.


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