Author: Administrador

Psalm 118 is the last psalm in a group of six psalms in Book Five known as the “the Egyptian Hallel” (Psalms 113-118), psalms that are used in present-day Jewish life at the Passover meal on the eighth day of that annual spring celebration. Psalms 113 and 114 are recited before the meal. Psalms 115-118 … Continue reading “Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Commentary by Nancy deClaissé-Walford”

It is easy to see why Psalm 118 is the psalm selection for Easter for all three lectionary years. The psalm is bursting with exuberance and joy, the language barely adequate to the task of conveying the wonder of what God has done. For the psalmist was as good as dead and now is alive. … Continue reading “Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 Commentary by Amanda Benckhuysen”

In the lectionary portion of Psalm 116, we do not get to the question of verse 12, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” That question introduces the psalmist’s pledge to offer sacrifice to God and pay the vows made in the midst of distress (verses 13-19); but in … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-9 Commentary by Fred Gaiser”

Psalm 116 is a song of thanksgiving of an individual, a poem written after a difficult time of life has been endured, survived, or overcome. It may seem strange, at times, to recite an individual’s song as a community in worship, but the individuals’ song was most likely written just for this purpose: that the … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-9 Commentary by Karl Jacobson”

The 16th Sunday after Pentecost is the only instance of Psalm 116:1-9 as a Sunday reading in the Lectionary that provides opportunities to use most of its second half (vv. 10-17) which are read on Maundy Thursday and Eastertide for Year A. If you make this selection the basis of your message, it will be … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-9 Commentary by James K. Mead”

Psalm 116 is sung or read each year at Passover celebrations in Jewish homes to this day. Don’t Give Up On Prayer! The psalm is a part of the collection of psalms running from 113 to 118, called the “Egyptian Hallel” (Egyptian praise), centering on the story of the deliverance from Egypt. Psalm 113 is … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Commentary by James Limburg”

Like Psalm 118, Psalm 116 is a psalm of thanksgiving that is part of the Egyptian Hallel (see essay on Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, Resurrection of Our Lord). Typical elements of a thanksgiving psalm are present — expression of gratitude and/or trust (verses 1-2, 5-7, 10-11, 15-16), description of prior distress and deliverance (verses 3-4, 8-9), … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 Commentary by J. Clinton McCann”

A single voice speaks here, drawing me into the psalmist’s experience and, in effect, leading me to compare my own with his. The voice here: is upbeat and hopeful, not remorsefully agonizing over sin tells a personal story of rescue in answer to his prayer tells the story publicly to other worshipers (and God [verses … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Commentary by Robert L. Hubbard, Jr.”

Psalm 116 is a prayer of thanksgiving. Like other psalms of this type (see Psalm 30; 32; 34), Psalm 116 begins by saying that God has rescued the psalmist from trouble (verses 1-2). Then the psalm describes the distressing circumstance now past (verse 3), recalls a prayer for help (verse 4) along with the Lord’s … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Commentary by Jerome Creach”

Psalm 116 is a thanksgiving psalm. These hymns were sung by those whose earlier lament, or prayer for help in time of trouble, had been answered. Laments frequently conclude with promises to return to the temple in order to tell the worshiping community what God had done and encourage them to join the psalmist in … Continue reading “Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Commentary by Mark Throntveit”