Psalms 113-118 are called "Hallel" Psalms. The word "Hallel" means praise, i.e., songs which put a smile on the face. The word is a part of the word, "hallelujah", which means "praise the Lord". Hallel Psalms were sung during the Passover celebration. Some believe these Psalms were sung during the Last Supper.
Psalm 116 is a song of praise in which the Psalmist proclaims his love for God and the reasons why he loves God. In verse 1 the Psalmist sets the foundation for the balance of the Psalm when he wrote, "I love the Lord". Here we find an intimate relationship with God, which is expressed in detail in the following verses. One of the reasons for his love - "he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy". God always listens to us when we call on Him. He not only hears us, but moves to action. He always responds to our cry for help. No doubt exists in the mind or heart of the Psalmist that God will always be there and he will always listen.
In verse 2, the Psalmist says, "he turned his ear to me", i.e., he did not ignore me although he is the Omnipotent God and I am a mere human being. He loves me enough to single me out and "turn his ear to me". What a mighty God we serve! The psalmist proclaims, "I will call on him as long as I live". As long as God listens, I will talk to him. God desires for us to talk to him every day of our lives. He will never turn away but turn toward us with love.
In verses 3-4, we see the depth of depression which the Psalmist experienced. The "cords of death entangled me". At one point in his life he was overcome with life, which overwhelmed him to the point of death. He felt the "anguish of the grave" which caused trouble and sorrow. He was at the end of his rope. What could he do? What did he do? He called upon the Omnipotent God, "O Lord, save me!" He knew the only One who could rescue him from the depths of depression was God. God would bring him through the worst life could offer. He knew his God was a God of grace, righteousness and compassion. (verse 5) Like a shepherd who cares for his sheep, God cares for him and would protect him in his hour of great need. (verse 6)
How does God help us in our hour of great need? He takes us to his place of "rest". (verse 7) When God rested on the seventh day, he made that day of rest for you and me. A place of rest created by God which provides a peace which only God can give. When we are troubled and in need, God knows we need rest for a weary soul and provides "the peace which passeth all understanding".
Verse 8 shows how the Psalmist looked back on his life and relied on God. He saw how God delivered him from death, cleared the tears from his eyes and kept him from the ways of the world. In verse 9 the Psalmist's desire was to walk the path of life ("the land of the living") face to face with the Lord. He had kept the faith and trusted God because no one in the world could be trusted. In God we trust!
The Elliott Institute 
