Psalm 116 is without a title in the Hebrew. The psalm was translated into the Greek Septuagint in Hellenistic Egypt. There is a presence of Aramaisms in the psalm which has been interpreted by a few as evidence of a late date, though this is not definitive. The psalm draws heavily from other psalms so much so that Hupfeld called it a `patched-up psalm'. In the Hebrew Psalm 116 begins with and in Hebrew is an acrosticPoem. It is considered one of the so called Egyptian Hallel.
Structure
Some Christian churches follow the chapter divisions based on Septuagint, where verses 1-9 is Psalm 114 and verses 10-19 is Psalm 115. This is adopted by both Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. In the Hebrew Psalm 116 begins with and is an acrostic Poem. The psalm is one of the so called Egyptian Hallel prayers.
Theme
It is a question of the praise of the Lord by all peoples. The second verse expresses the reason for the first verse: the goodness of the Lord has been experienced in the past, and his faithfulness will last forever. If we take into consideration the whole book of psalms, we see that this psalm comes to sum up and conclude all the psalms of the hallel, and even all the preceding psalms since Psalm 107, for they invite Israel and all nations to praise 'Eternal.
Authorship
applies this psalm to the distresses of the Jews in the times of the Maccabees under Antiochus Epiphanes while a small minority ascribe it to Hezekiahs, sickness recorded in Isaiah 38 However, most commentators today ascribe it to King David. If David were the author, it is not certain whether it was composed upon any particular occasion, or upon a general review of the many gracious deliverances God had wrought for him, out of six troubles and seven The Syriac Church hold it was written on the occasion of Saul coming to the cave where David was hiding
Uses
Judaism
Is one of six psalms of which Hallel is composed. On all days when Hallel is recited, this psalm is recited in its entirety, except on Rosh Chodesh and the last six days of Passover, when only verses 1-11 are recited. The word hallel means "praise." Since ancient times the Egyptian Hallel has been used in the celebration of Passover.
calls it a thanksgiving psalm, while Spurgeon saw it as A Psalm of Thanksgiving in the Person of Christ. " David Dickson, wrote "This Psalm is a threefold engagement of the Psalmist unto thanksgiving unto God, for his mercy unto him, and in particular for some notable delivery of him from death, both bodily and spiritual.
Musical settings
Anton Bruckner—Psalm 114 Alleluja! Liebe erfüllt mich WAB 36
Verse 11, "In my haste I said all men are liars", can be read as an early statement of the liar paradox.
This verse has also been translated "I said in my fear, Every man is a liar." and "In an ecstasy of despair, I said, the whole race of man is a delusion." Some take the word חפז, to denote haste or flight rather than fear while Horsley translates the verse as 'an ecstasy of despair.
I will sacrifice the sacrifices of praise
The cup of salvation this phrase has been used by Catholics as prophetic of the eucharist. While some see this as similar to the modern Jewish ceremony held every year in commemoration of the deliverance of their ancestors from the bondage of Egypt. Others see this portion as reference to morning drink offering in the Solomons temple under Mosaic law, inferring the writer is now making an offering of thanks for being delivered.
Others think the verse may have inspired Jesus at the last supper or Pauls “the cup of blessing,”
