Ours is not a religion of payback. It is of grace. However, out of gratitude we do owe the Lord something. This psalmist understood that spirit of thanksgiving.
Psalm 116 is a peculiarly personal song. It is personal testimony of one man who was seriously ill and almost died. The Lord heard his prayer and delivered him. He now writes this psalm of grateful thanksgiving.
The psalmist does not dwell on his suffering that is now passed. He is too preoccupied in giving thanks to God who delivered him. From his experience he came to know God as gracious, righteousness, and merciful (verse 5). He came to know the Lord as one who takes care of the “simple.” That word means “young, inexperienced, helpless.” He came to know God as one who helped him in all of life’s experiences. The Lord delivered his soul from death, his eyes from tears, and his feet from falling.
Have you come to know the Lord as one who never fails? In the spirit of Thanksgiving this year, express your gratitude from the heart and make good on your vows to him.