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Psalm 116 is the 116th psalm of the Book of Psalms. And the fourth psalm in the “Egyptian Hallel”.
Contents
Language
Psalm 116 is without a title in the Hebrew. The psalm was translated into the Greek Septuagint (about 250BC) 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'.
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 (250 B.C.) and the Latin Vulgate (A.D. 400).
Authorship
Theodoret 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
Judaism
New Testament
The Psalm was quoted by Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 4: 13.
Syriac Christianity
The Syriac church apply it to converts coming into the church.
Roman Catholic
The Psalm has been used as public Prayer by Pope John Paul II, who called it a "Prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord The Psalm is used in the Rule of St. Benedict, of Benedict of Nursia. However, Psalm 117 is now read in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Protestant Christianity
Henry 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
City motto
The city of Belfast, Northern Ireland has as its motto Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus, the Vulgate translation of Ps 116:12 ("what shall we give in return for so much?" or "What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?")
Notable Verses
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, (chaphaz) to denote haste or flight rather than fear while Horsley translates the verse as 'an ecstasy of despair.
Others think the verse may have inspired Jesus at the last supper or Pauls “the cup of blessing,”