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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2015 May 28



Lord Byron on His Death-Bed (c. 1826)
Joseph-Denis Odevaere (1775-1830)
Neoclassical Style
Groeninge Museum, Bruges, Belgium
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: In Psalm 116 the Psalmist expresses his love to the LORD for hearing him and delivering him from death, promising, therefore, to serve the LORD. The painting above depicts the fate which the Psalmist, at one point in his life, expected -- a premature death.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Hallel Psalms: The Egyptian Hallel -- Psalms 113-118: Psalm 113. Psalm 114. Psalm 115. Psalm 116. Psalm 117. Psalm 118. The Great Hallel [Group of Psalms] -- Psalms 118-136: Psalm 118. Psalm 119. Psalm 120. Psalm 121. Psalm 122. Psalm 123. Psalm 124. Psalm 125. Psalm 126. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 129. Psalm 130. Psalm 131. Psalm 132. Psalm 133. Psalm 134. Psalm 135. Psalm 136. The Great Hallel [Single Psalm] -- Psalm 136. An Individual Hallel -- Psalm 145. The Concluding Hallel -- Psalms 146-150: Psalm 146. Psalm 147. Psalm 148. Psalm 149. Psalm 150. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: GENERAL. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 116 - #1. Psalm 116 - #2. Psalm 116 - #3. Psalm 116 - #4. Psalm 116 - #5. Psalm 116 - #6. Psalm 116 - #7. Psalm 116 - #8. Psalm 116 - #9. Psalm 116 - #10. Psalm 116 - #11. Psalm 116 - #12. ]

     The Psalmist says that he loves the LORD because he heard his earnest prayers; so he will call upon him as long as he lives (1-2). The sorrows of death and the pains of hell came upon him in his trouble and sorrow (3). It was then that he begged the LORD to deliver his soul; and the gracious and merciful LORD preserved him, though he was brought low (4-5). He therefore tells his soul to return to its rest, because the LORD has dealt bountifully with him, has delivered him from death, from tears, and from falling. He will therefore walk (unfallen) with the LORD in the land of the living (6-9). He had hastily said that all men were liars (10-11). But because the LORD delivered him he will take the cup of salvation, he will call on the name of the LORD, and he will publicly pay his vows to the LORD (12-13). He notes that the death of the LORD's saints is precious in his sight (15). He acknowledges that he is the LORD's servant and the son of the LORD's handmaid. The LORD has released him from bondage (16). He will, therefore, offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the name of the LORD (17). He will publicly pay his vows in the LORD's house in the midst of Jerusalem. He closes with the words, "Praise the LORD" (18-19).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK FIVE OF FIVE:

Psalms 107-150.


Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

16 O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
19 In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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