Introduction

Psalm 116: The writer praises God for being delivered from danger and death and vows to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 116:5

The LORD is merciful and good; our God is compassionate.

Reading

116 I love the Lord, because he hears me;
he listens to my prayers.
2 He listens to me
every time I call to him.
3 The danger of death was all around me;
the horrors of the grave closed in on me;
I was filled with fear and anxiety.
4 Then I called to the Lord,
“I beg you, Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is merciful and good;
our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord protects the helpless;
when I was in danger, he saved me.
7 Be confident, my heart,
because the Lord has been good to me.

8 The Lord saved me from death;
he stopped my tears
and kept me from defeat.
9 And so I walk in the presence of the Lord
in the world of the living.
10 I kept on believing, even when I said,
“I am completely crushed,”
11 even when I was afraid and said,
“No one can be trusted.”

12 What can I offer the Lord
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will bring a wine offering to the Lord,
to thank him for saving me.
14 In the assembly of all his people
I will give him what I have promised.

15 How painful it is to the Lord
when one of his people dies!
16 I am your servant, Lord;
I serve you just as my mother did.
You have saved me from death.
17 I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
and offer my prayer to you.
18-19 In the assembly of all your people,
in the sanctuary of your Temple in Jerusalem,
I will give you what I have promised.

Praise the Lord!

Reflect

Sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered to God to express gratitude for God’s help and deliverance and in recognition that God is the source of blessings and provider of good things. Worshipers would bring an animal or wine or grain to offer, sometimes in conjunction with a vow they had made. How does the writer express thanks to God? What does the writer promise? Have you ever made promises to God? If so, what were they? In what ways can you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God?

Pray

Compassionate and merciful God, you hear me when I call and you listen to my prayers. When I walk in your presence, I know that I am in your care. With a thankful heart, I praise you for your steadfast goodness and love. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 121: A prayer of assurance of God’s protection