Psalms 116:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant, [and] the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Oh, ADONAI! I am your slave; I am your slave, the son of your slave-girl; you have removed my fetters.

Berean Standard Bible:

Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.

American Standard Version:

O Jehovah, truly I am thy servant: I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bonds.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

O LORD^{H3068}, truly^{H577} I am thy servant^{H5650}; I am thy servant^{H5650}, and the son^{H1121} of thine handmaid^{H519}: thou hast loosed^{H6605} my bonds^{H4147}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 116:16

Psalm 116:16 is part of a larger psalm that expresses deep gratitude and devotion to God for deliverance from a severe crisis, which many scholars believe could be illness or mortal danger. The verse reflects themes of servitude, humility, and liberation that are central to the relationship between the psalmist and God.

In this verse, the psalmist addresses God directly, declaring himself to be the Lord's servant, and emphasizing his subordinate position by referring to himself as the "son of thine handmaid." This language underscores the psalmist's recognition of his place in the divine hierarchy and his acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The phrase "thou hast loosed my bonds" speaks to a tangible experience of being freed from some form of captivity or distress. This could be literal chains, as in the case of prisoners, or metaphorical bonds, such as those of sickness, sin, or oppression.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of covenant relationships, where a servant would be bound to a master, and a god would be expected to protect and deliver His faithful followers. The psalmist's declaration of servitude is therefore also a statement of faith in God's covenantal promises. The personal and intimate nature of the psalmist's relationship with God, as indicated by the familial reference to his mother, suggests a deep trust in God's care and protection, which transcends the immediate circumstances that prompted the prayer.

In summary, Psalm 116:16 encapsulates the psalmist's profound sense of gratitude and loyalty to God, who has acted as a deliverer. The verse highlights the psalmist's identity as a devoted servant of God, acknowledging God's power to release individuals from the most constricting situations, and it reflects the broader biblical theme of divine rescue and the faithful response it engenders.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H577
   There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָנָּא
   Transliteration: ʼânnâʼ
   Pronunciation: awn-naw'
   Description: lemma אָנּאָ second vowel, corrected to אָנָּא; or אָנָּה; apparent contracted from אַהֲבָה and נָא; oh now!; I (me) beseech (pray) thee, O.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H519
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼâmâh
   Pronunciation: aw-maw'
   Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).
   
6. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4147
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹסֵר
   Transliteration: môwçêr
   Pronunciation: mo-sare'
   Description: also (in plural) feminine מוֹסֵרָה; or מֹסְרָה; from יָסַר; properly, chastisement, i.e. (by implication) a halter; figuratively, restraint; band, bond.