Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

I will offer {H2076} to thee the sacrifice {H2077} of thanksgiving {H8426}, and will call {H7121} upon the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

I will offer a sacrifice of thanks to you and will call on the name of ADONAI.

I will offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of Jehovah.

Psalms 116:17 presents a profound declaration of the psalmist's devotion and gratitude following a miraculous deliverance. Having experienced the Lord's saving hand from the brink of death and despair, the psalmist expresses a heartfelt commitment to ongoing worship and reliance on God.

Context

This verse is part of a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, Psalms 116. The psalmist begins by affirming his love for the Lord because God has heard his cry for help (verse 1-2). He recounts being "compassed about with the sorrows of death" and finding trouble and sorrow (verse 3). In his distress, he called upon the name of the LORD and was delivered (verse 4-8). Verses 12-19 outline the psalmist's response to this divine intervention, culminating in public vows of praise and service in the house of the Lord. Verse 17 is a central part of this pledge, highlighting a commitment to a life of gratitude and continuous communion with God.

Key Themes

  • The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving: This is not a blood sacrifice, but a spiritual offering of praise and gratitude from a thankful heart. It represents the psalmist's deepest appreciation for God's goodness, a form of worship that is pleasing to the Lord. This concept resonates with the New Testament idea of offering a sacrifice of praise continually to God (Hebrews 13:15).
  • Calling Upon the Name of the LORD: This phrase signifies ongoing prayer, reliance, and invocation of God's character and power. It demonstrates a continued personal relationship with the Divine, acknowledging Him as the source of all help and salvation. It's a commitment to a life of dependence and communion, echoing the promise that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (Joel 2:32).
  • Heartfelt Response to Deliverance: The verse powerfully illustrates the appropriate human response to God's grace and faithfulness. It moves beyond mere relief to active, voluntary worship and a pledge of lifelong devotion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sacrifice of thanksgiving" translates the Hebrew zevach todah (זֶבַח תּוֹדָה). In ancient Israel, a todah offering was a specific type of peace offering (zevach shelamim) given to express gratitude, especially after deliverance from danger or fulfillment of a vow (Leviticus 7:12-15). It was often a communal meal, but here, in the psalmist's personal declaration, it emphasizes the profound internal disposition of gratitude being offered to God. The act of "calling upon the name of the LORD" (qara' b'shem YHWH) is a recurring biblical phrase indicating sincere prayer, invocation, and acknowledgment of God's sovereign authority and covenant relationship.

Practical Application

Psalms 116:17 encourages believers today to cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude. Our response to God's blessings, whether great deliverances or daily mercies, should be one of sincere thanksgiving and persistent prayer. This verse reminds us that our praise, our prayers, and our acknowledgment of God are valuable spiritual offerings. It calls us to not only receive God's help but to continually engage with Him through worship and prayer, making our lives a testament to His goodness, as we are encouraged to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 50:14

    Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

  • Psalms 107:22

    And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

  • Leviticus 7:12

    If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.

  • Hebrews 13:15

    By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

  • Psalms 116:13

    I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

  • Acts 2:42

    ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

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