Psalms 116:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 116:16 is a profound and deeply personal declaration of lifelong devotion and grateful servitude to the LORD, uttered by a psalmist who has experienced miraculous divine deliverance from the brink of death or overwhelming distress. This verse articulates an inherent identity as God's servant, emphasizing that this commitment is not coerced but is a willing, heartfelt response to God's compassionate intervention, which has liberated the psalmist from the "bonds" of affliction. It encapsulates a theology of responsive worship where profound liberation directly leads to joyful submission and devoted service, solidifying a covenantal relationship between the deliverer and the delivered.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply moving psalm of individual thanksgiving, situated within the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection traditionally recited during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover. The psalm unfolds as a narrative of crisis, prayer, deliverance, and subsequent vow. The psalmist vividly recounts being overwhelmed by "the cords of death" and "the agonies of Sheol" ([Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Pains of Death")), leading to a desperate cry for help ([Psalms 116:4](/psalms/116-4 "Psalm 116:4 - Call to the Lord")). God's gracious response is then celebrated, as He is portrayed as "gracious and righteous" and "full of compassion" ([Psalms 116:5](/psalms/116-5 "Psalm 116:5 - The Lord is Gracious")). The psalmist's deliverance from tears, stumbling, and death itself ([Psalms 116:8](/psalms/116-8 "Psalm 116:8 - Deliverance from Death")) culminates in a series of rhetorical questions about how to repay God's goodness ([Psalms 116:12](/psalms/116-12 "Psalm 116:12 - What Shall I Render to the Lord?")). Verse 16 stands as the climactic answer to this question, a fervent, emphatic declaration of personal identity and lifelong allegiance, directly flowing from the experience of God's saving grace and setting the stage for public vows of thanksgiving ([Psalms 116:17-19](/psalms/116-17 "Psalm 116:17-19 - Sacrifices of Thanksgiving")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The terms "servant" (`ʿeved`) and "son of thine handmaid" (`ben-ʾamah`) carried profound social and legal implications in the ancient Near East, far exceeding a mere job title. To be a "servant" of the LORD (Yahweh, [H3068](/strongs/H3068 "Strong's H3068 - YHWH")) implied a covenantal bond, signifying loyalty, obedience, and belonging to the divine Master. This status was often one of honor and privilege, as seen in the designation of figures like [Moses](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Moses, Servant of the Lord") and [David](/2_samuel/7-5 "2 Samuel 7:5 - David, My Servant") as God's servants. The phrase "son of thine handmaid" (`ben-ʾamateka`) is particularly potent. In a household, a child born to a female servant (`ʾamah`) was not a hired hand but an inherent, perpetual member of the master's household, inheriting a status of belonging and dependence. This status was often accompanied by protection and care from the master, fostering deep-seated loyalty. Thus, the psalmist is not merely stating a temporary role but declaring a profound, intrinsic, and lifelong identity rooted in God's household and care, a status that might be inherited or deeply ingrained through personal experience of divine provision and protection. It speaks to a relationship of absolute belonging and devotion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within Psalm 116 and the broader biblical narrative. The overarching theme is **Divine Deliverance and Responsive Gratitude**, where God's active, compassionate intervention in human suffering elicits a profound and lasting response of thanksgiving and unwavering commitment. It highlights the theme of **Covenantal Relationship**, where the psalmist identifies as belonging intimately to Yahweh, mirroring the unique bond between God and Israel. The emphatic, repeated declaration of "servant" underscores **Profound Devotion and Willing Submission**, emphasizing that this service is not born of compulsion but from a heart transformed by grace. Furthermore, the imagery of "loosed my bonds" reinforces the theme of **Freedom from Bondage**, whether from literal chains, grave illness, or the overwhelming power of death, portraying God as the ultimate Liberator. This liberation then becomes the very foundation for a renewed and joyful **Identity in Service** to the Most High, demonstrating that true freedom leads to willing servitude to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, Yahweh (often rendered as "the LORD" in English translations), derived from the verb "to be" (Hawayah), signifying "the Self-Existent" or "the Eternal One." The psalmist's direct address to `Yᵉhôvâh` indicates an intimate, covenantal relationship and acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness, especially in His role as the one who hears and delivers. This personal address underscores the depth of the psalmist's gratitude and the relational nature of their declaration.
* **Servant (Hebrew, _ʻebed'_):** This term, repeated twice for emphasis, signifies more than just a hired laborer or a slave by compulsion. In a biblical context, an `ʻebed` of God is one who is devoted to Yahweh, bound by covenant, and committed to His will. It implies a relationship of loyalty, dependence, and worship, often carrying a sense of honor and privilege (e.g., [Abraham](/genesis/26-24 "Genesis 26:24 - Abraham My Servant"), [Job](/job/1-8 "Job 1:8 - Job My Servant")). The psalmist's declaration is a willing self-identification with this privileged status, acknowledging God's rightful ownership and their joyful submission, a life consecrated to divine purpose.
* **Handmaid (Hebrew, _ʼâmâh'_):** This word refers to a female servant or bondwoman within a household. The phrase "son of thine handmaid" (`ben-ʼâmâteka`) is a powerful idiom. Unlike a hired worker who could leave, a son born to an `ʼâmâh` was inherently part of the master's household, inheriting a status of belonging and perpetual service. This signifies an intrinsic, inherited, or deeply ingrained loyalty and dependence, suggesting that the psalmist's connection to God is not a recent decision but a fundamental aspect of their being, perhaps even a generational legacy of faith or a profound recognition of God's lifelong care.
* **Loosed (Hebrew, _pâthach'_):** This verb means "to open wide," "to untie," or "to release," often implying a decisive act of liberation. It evokes the powerful imagery of breaking chains, untying ropes, or freeing someone from confinement. In the context of the psalm, which speaks of the "cords of death" ([Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Cords of Death")), "loosed my bonds" refers to God's decisive act of freeing the psalmist from the grip of death, grave danger, or overwhelming distress. It is this divine act of liberation that serves as the direct catalyst for the psalmist's fervent declaration of lifelong service, transforming their status from bound to free, yet willingly bound to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O LORD, truly I [am] thy servant; I [am] thy servant":** The psalmist directly addresses Yahweh, using the personal divine name, indicating an intimate and reverent relationship. The emphatic repetition of "I am thy servant" underscores the sincerity, depth, and unwavering nature of this declaration. It is a heartfelt, personal vow of allegiance and self-identification, born out of a profound experience of God's grace and deliverance. This is not a casual statement but a solemn pledge of lifelong devotion and submission to the divine will, a joyful acknowledgment of belonging.
* **"[and] the son of thine handmaid":** This phrase further deepens the declaration of servitude. It moves beyond a simple statement of being a servant to asserting an inherent, almost familial, belonging to God's household. As explained in the linguistic analysis, a "son of a handmaid" was born into the master's service, signifying a deep-rooted, perpetual, and perhaps even inherited loyalty. This conveys a humble recognition that the psalmist's very existence and identity are intrinsically tied to God's sovereign care and ownership, not by compulsion but by a bond of belonging and love, reflecting a profound sense of security and identity within God's family.
* **"thou hast loosed my bonds":** This final clause provides the foundational reason for the psalmist's fervent declaration. The imagery of "loosed my bonds" powerfully conveys liberation from distress, captivity, or the very clutches of death, as hinted at earlier in the psalm (e.g., [Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Pains of Death")). God's decisive, compassionate act of deliverance is the catalyst for this renewed commitment. The psalmist's service is thus a direct, grateful, and joyful response to the freedom and life that God has graciously bestowed, a testament to the transformative power of divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 116:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Repetition** is prominently featured with the phrase "I am thy servant; I am thy servant," which serves to emphasize the psalmist's deep sincerity, unwavering commitment, and the personal nature of this vow. This reiteration intensifies the declaration and highlights the central theme of devoted service. Furthermore, the phrase "thou hast loosed my bonds" utilizes vivid **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. While it could refer to literal chains or confinement, it more broadly serves as a powerful metaphor for liberation from any form of distress, affliction, or the overwhelming power of death that had held the psalmist captive. This imagery creates a strong visual of divine intervention and the resulting freedom. The entire verse functions as a deeply personal **Confession** of identity and a **Vow of Thanksgiving**, a solemn declaration made directly to God in response to His saving action, demonstrating the reciprocal nature of divine grace and human devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 116:16 beautifully articulates a core biblical truth: true, profound service to God flows not from obligation or fear, but from a heart transformed by His gracious deliverance. It is not a burden but a joyful, spontaneous overflow of gratitude for liberation. The psalmist's declaration of being God's "servant" and "son of His handmaid" speaks to a profound identity found in belonging to God, an identity rooted in His faithfulness and our utter dependence upon Him. This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship: God delivers His people from distress and death, and His people respond with grateful, lifelong devotion and willing submission. It teaches that our deepest commitments are often forged in the crucible of suffering and sealed by the experience of divine rescue, leading to a life lived in humble gratitude and joyful service, where freedom empowers devotion.

* [Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Freed from Sin, Servants of Righteousness")
* [1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")
* [Psalm 119:125](/psalms/119-125 "Psalm 119:125 - I Am Your Servant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 116:16 offers a timeless and powerful model for our own walk of faith, challenging us to deeply reflect on the motivation behind our service to God. Is our commitment a reluctant duty, or a joyful, spontaneous overflow of gratitude for His saving work in our lives? Just as the psalmist's deliverance from mortal peril prompted a lifelong vow of service, our own liberation from the bondage of sin and death through Christ should inspire a similar, unwavering commitment. This verse reminds us that our fundamental identity as believers is that of "servants" of the Most High, not in a demeaning or coerced sense, but as those privileged to belong to Him, adopted into His family, and called to live lives of devoted worship and obedience. It encourages us to regularly recall God's faithfulness in our own experiences of rescue and grace, renewing our personal vows of allegiance and offering our lives as instruments of His divine purpose, knowing that our freedom in Christ empowers our most authentic and joyful service.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "bonds"—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—has God loosed in your life, and how has that deliverance shaped your gratitude and commitment to Him?**
* **How does understanding yourself as God's "servant" and "son of His handmaid" influence your daily identity, purpose, and sense of belonging?**
* **In what practical ways can your service to God today be a direct, joyful, and intentional response to His past and present grace in your life?**
* **How does the psalmist's emphatic declaration inspire you to renew or deepen your own personal vows of devotion and allegiance to the Lord?**

### FAQ
**What does "the son of thine handmaid" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "the son of thine handmaid" (Hebrew: `ben-ʼâmâteka`) is a profound declaration of inherent belonging and loyalty, rather than a literal statement about the psalmist's biological mother. In ancient Near Eastern households, a child born to a female servant (`ʼâmâh`) was considered an intrinsic and permanent part of the master's household, inheriting a perpetual status of service and dependence. Unlike a hired laborer who could leave, such a child was bound to the household for life, often enjoying the master's protection and care. Therefore, the psalmist uses this idiom to express a deep, intrinsic, and lifelong connection to God, implying that their very existence and identity are tied to God's sovereign care and ownership, not by force, but by an unbreakable bond of belonging and devotion. It signifies a humble recognition of being entirely God's, perhaps even through a generational legacy of faith, as seen with figures like [Samuel](/1_samuel/1-11 "1 Samuel 1:11 - Hannah's Vow for Samuel"), who was dedicated to the Lord from birth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 116:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "Servant of the Lord," perfectly embodying the prophetic descriptions found in [Isaiah](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord") and demonstrating humble obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Furthermore, the "loosing of bonds" finds its most complete expression in Christ's redemptive work. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Jesus has definitively "loosed the bonds" of sin, death, and spiritual captivity for all who believe, freeing us from the power of darkness and transferring us into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). As believers, we are no longer slaves to sin but have been adopted as "sons and daughters" into God's family through Christ ([Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons")). Our identity as "servants" of God is now rooted in our union with Christ, who has purchased us with His own precious blood ([1 Corinthians 7:22-23](/1_corinthians/7-22-23 "1 Corinthians 7:22-23 - Called by the Lord, Free in Christ")). Thus, the psalmist's grateful vow of lifelong service becomes the joyous reality for every Christian, whose liberation from sin by the ultimate Servant, Jesus, compels a life of devoted, Christ-centered obedience and worship, lived in the freedom He has secured.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 86:16

O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

Psalms 143:12

And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I [am] thy servant.

Psalms 119:125

I [am] thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

James 1:1

¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Psalms 107:14

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

Psalms 107:16

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

2 Chronicles 33:11

¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.