Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 116:2
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.
2. Because therefore ] Better For and.
inclined his ear ] Psa 17:6 and often.
as long as I live ] Lit. in my days (Isa 39:8). Cp. Psa 63:4, in my life.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me – See the notes at Psa 5:1. Because he has been gracious to me, and has heard my prayers. This is a pood reason for serving God, or for devoting ourselves to him, but it is not the only reason. We ought to worship and serve God whether he hears our prayers or not; whether he sends joy or sorrow; whether we are favored with prosperity, or are sunk in deep affliction. People have worshipped God even when they have had no evidence that he heard their prayers; and some of the most pure acts of devotion on earth are those which come from the very depths of darkness and sorrow.
Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live – Margin, as in Hebrew, in my days. Encouraged by the past, I will continue to call upon him in the future. I will retain a firm faith in the doctrine that he hears prayer, and I will express my practical belief in the truth of that doctrine by regular and constant habits of worship. When a man once has evidence that God has heard his prayer, it is a reason why he should always call on him in similar circumstances, for God does not change.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 116:2
Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.
Answers to prayer confirm habits of prayer
Philip Henry, after he had been engaged in prayer for two of his children that were dangerously ill, remarked, If the Lord will be pleased to grant me this my request concerning my children, I will not say, as the beggars at our door used to do, Ill never ask anything of Him again; but, on the contrary, He shall hear oftener from me than ever; and I will love God the better, and love prayer the better, as long as I live.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. Because he hath inclined his ear] The psalmist represents himself to be so sick and weak, that he could scarcely speak. The Lord, in condescension to this weakness, is here considered as bowing down his ear to the mouth of the feeble suppliant, that he may receive every word of his prayer.
Therefore will I call upon him] I have had such blessed success in my application to him, that I purpose to invoke him as long as I shall live. He that prays much will be emboldened to pray more, because none can supplicate the throne of grace in vain.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Heb. in my days; as long as I have a day to live, as this phrase is used, 2Ki 20:19; Isa 39:8. Compare Job 27:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me,…. Not as hard of hearing, for his ear is not heavy that it cannot hear; he is quick of hearing, and his ears are always open to the righteous; it rather denotes his readiness to hear; he hearkens and hears, he listens to what his people say, and hears them at once, and understands them, though ever so broken and confused; when their prayers are but like the chatterings of a crane or swallow, or only expressed in sighs and groans, and even without a voice; when nothing is articulately pronounced: moreover, this shows condescension in him; he bows his ear as a rattler to a child, he stoops as being above them, and inclines his ear to them.
Therefore will I call upon him as long as I live; or “in my days” d; in days of adversity and affliction, for help and relief; in days of prosperity, with thankfulness for favours received; every day I live, and several times a day: prayer should be constantly used; men should pray without ceasing always, and not faint; prayer is the first and last action of a spiritual life; it is the first thing a regenerate man does, “behold, he prays”; as soon as he is born again he prays, and continues praying all his days; and generally goes out of the world praying, as Stephen did, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”; and it is the Lord’s hearing prayer that encourages his people to keep on praying, and which makes the work delightful to them. Christ was often at this work in life, and died praying, Lu 6:12.
d “in diebus meis”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, &c.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) If we take translation (1) of Psa. 116:1 this verse will state the ground of the longing to pray. I have longed for Jehovah to hear me now, for He, as in past times, inclines His ear to me. The latter clause of the verse offers some difficulty. The literal rendering of the text, given by the LXX. and Vulg., is, and in my days I will call (for help). But there is none. 2Ki. 20:19 does not, as suggested, confirm the explanation all the days of my life. It would seem more natural to take the text as an equivalent of the common phrase in the day when I call (Psa. 56:10; Psa. 102:3, &c), and render the verse:
For He inclines His ear to me,
And that in the day when I call.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Will I call upon him Literally, I will call; the verb, here, as in “I love,” (Psa 116:1,) bring without its object expressed. The language is impassioned, and supposes the connexion or occasion to sufficiently explain it.
As long as I live Hebrew, In my days. Not only his life long, but as his daily habit.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 2. I will preach, proclaim, or sing aloud of his goodness. This place, and also Psa 116:13-17 seem to require this sense of akra. Fenwick.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
If we compare scripture with scripture, and read that part of Psa 91 , which evidently and plainly refers to Christ, I think the likeness between that scripture and this, may allow us to suppose that it is the ever blessed Jesus, as the head and surety of his church, who is here speaking. Psa 91:14-16 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.
Ver 2. Because he hath inclined his ear ] As loth to lose any part of my prayer, though never so weakly uttered; therefore be shall have my custom; Psa 65:2 , “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.”
As long as I live
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
therefore: Psa 55:16, Psa 55:17, Psa 86:6, Psa 86:7, Psa 88:1, Psa 145:18, Psa 145:19, Job 27:10, Luk 18:1, Phi 4:6, Col 4:2
as long as I live: Heb. in my days
Reciprocal: Gen 13:4 – called Gen 24:52 – worshipped Gen 35:3 – who answered 2Sa 22:4 – I will 1Ki 22:32 – Jehoshaphat 1Ch 4:10 – called 2Ch 6:40 – thine ears 2Ch 18:31 – Jehoshaphat Job 9:16 – If I had Psa 6:9 – will receive Psa 17:6 – I have Psa 28:6 – General Psa 40:1 – inclined Psa 61:3 – thou Psa 66:17 – I cried Psa 66:19 – General Psa 71:2 – incline Psa 77:1 – gave Psa 116:13 – call Lam 3:56 – hast
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] {b} as long as I live.
(b) That is in convenient time to seek help, which was when he was in distress.