Psalms 116:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 116:17 presents the psalmist's solemn vow to God, a heartfelt declaration of enduring gratitude and devoted reliance following a profound experience of divine deliverance. It encapsulates a commitment to a life characterized by spiritual offerings of praise and continuous communion with the Lord, acknowledging His faithfulness and sovereign power as the source of salvation and sustained well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, falling within the collection known as the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), often recited during Passover. The psalmist begins by affirming profound love for the Lord, who "has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy" ([Psalms 116:1](/psalms/116-1 "Psalms 116:1 - The Lord Hears My Cry")). He vividly recounts a near-death experience, describing being "encompassed by the cords of death" and finding himself in "anguish and sorrow" ([Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalms 116:3 - Encompassed by Death")). His deliverance, recounted in verses 4-8, is attributed solely to calling upon the Lord's name. Verses 12-19 outline the psalmist's response to this divine intervention, moving from a rhetorical question ("What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits toward me?") to a series of public vows and commitments, culminating in the declaration of praise in the temple courts. Verse 17 is central to this pledge, articulating the nature of his ongoing worship and devotion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, "sacrifices of thanksgiving" (Hebrew: *zevach todah*) were a specific type of peace offering (*zevach shelamim*) prescribed in the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 7:12-15](/leviticus/7-12 "Leviticus 7:12-15 - The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving")). These offerings were typically made to express gratitude, especially after deliverance from danger, recovery from illness, or the fulfillment of a vow. While they involved animal sacrifice and a communal meal, the psalmist's declaration here transcends the mere ritualistic act, emphasizing the internal disposition of a grateful heart. The phrase "call upon the name of the LORD" was a foundational act of worship and reliance in Israel, signifying an invocation of God's character, power, and covenant faithfulness, often performed in public assemblies or moments of deep distress. The psalmist's commitment to offer this in the "courts of the house of the LORD" ([Psalms 116:19](/psalms/116-19 "Psalms 116:19 - In the Courts of the Lord's House")) underscores the public and communal nature of his thanksgiving, aligning with Israelite worship practices centered at the Temple in Jerusalem.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 116 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Thanksgiving for Deliverance**, highlighting the appropriate human response to God's saving acts. It moves beyond mere relief to active, voluntary worship and a pledge of lifelong devotion. Another crucial theme is **The Nature of True Worship**, which is portrayed not merely as ritual but as a heartfelt offering of gratitude and continuous reliance on God. The "sacrifice of thanksgiving" is presented as a spiritual offering, emphasizing the internal disposition over external form, a concept that resonates with later prophetic critiques of empty ritualism (e.g., [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")). Finally, the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Personal Relationship** is evident in the psalmist's commitment to "call upon the name of the LORD," signifying an ongoing, intimate relationship with the God who hears and answers, reinforcing the promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" ([Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Call Upon the Name of the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sacrifice of Thanksgiving (Hebrew, _zevach todah'_):** This phrase refers to a specific type of peace offering (Leviticus 7:12-15) given as an expression of gratitude, often after a vow or deliverance. While it traditionally involved an animal offering, in the context of the Psalms, it often takes on a metaphorical or spiritual meaning, signifying an offering of praise, gratitude, and a grateful heart. It is not about the shedding of blood for atonement, but the outpouring of a soul in appreciation for God's goodness and faithfulness. Here, it represents the psalmist's voluntary, heartfelt response to God's salvation, an offering of praise that is pleasing to the Lord.
* **Call upon the name of the LORD (Hebrew, _qara' b'shem YHWH'_):** This is a foundational biblical expression signifying sincere prayer, invocation, and acknowledgment of God's sovereign authority and covenant relationship. It implies an act of seeking God's presence, invoking His character and power, and placing one's trust and dependence entirely upon Him. It is a declaration of reliance, a cry for help, and an act of worship, affirming God's identity as the faithful covenant-keeping God (YHWH). In this verse, it signifies a commitment to perpetual communion and dependence on God, not just in times of distress but as a continuous lifestyle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving":** This clause expresses the psalmist's personal, voluntary commitment to render praise and gratitude to God. The "sacrifice of thanksgiving" is not a legal obligation but a freewill offering, arising from a heart overwhelmed by divine goodness. It signifies a spiritual act of worship, where the offering is the psalmist's very gratitude, expressed through words, actions, and a life dedicated to God. It highlights the internal disposition of the worshiper as paramount.
* **"and will call upon the name of the LORD":** This second clause complements the first, demonstrating the active and ongoing nature of the psalmist's devotion. "Calling upon the name of the LORD" implies not just a one-time prayer, but a continuous lifestyle of dependence, invocation, and acknowledgment of God's presence and power. It signifies a commitment to maintain an intimate, personal relationship with God, seeking His guidance, protection, and provision in all circumstances, and attributing all blessings to His sovereign hand.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The phrase "sacrifice of thanksgiving" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, transforming a physical ritual into a spiritual act, emphasizing the internal disposition of gratitude as the true offering. This spiritualization elevates the act beyond mere external observance to a profound heart-response. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as a **Vow or Pledge**, a solemn commitment made by the psalmist to God in response to divine deliverance. This pledge is deeply personal ("I will offer," "I will call") and highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. The two clauses also exhibit **Parallelism**, where "offer...sacrifice of thanksgiving" and "call upon the name of the LORD" express complementary aspects of devotion – one emphasizing praise and the other, reliance and invocation. This parallelism reinforces the comprehensive nature of the psalmist's commitment to worship and communion with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 116:17 stands as a timeless testament to the appropriate human response to divine grace: profound gratitude expressed through worship and continued reliance. It underscores the theological truth that God desires not merely ritualistic observance but a sincere heart of thanksgiving, a spiritual offering that is more pleasing than any physical sacrifice. This verse bridges the Old Testament understanding of sacrifice with a deeper emphasis on the internal disposition, foreshadowing New Testament teachings on spiritual worship. It reminds us that our salvation and deliverance are not ends in themselves, but catalysts for a life consecrated to God through continuous praise and prayer, acknowledging Him as the source of all good.

* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "The Sacrifice of Praise")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:18](/1_thessalonians/5-18 "Give Thanks in All Circumstances")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 116:17 invites believers today to cultivate a lifestyle of profound gratitude and persistent communion with God. In a world often characterized by complaint and entitlement, the psalmist's declaration serves as a powerful counter-cultural call to intentional thanksgiving. Our response to God's countless blessings, from the grand deliverances to the daily mercies, should be one of sincere appreciation, expressed not only in words but in a life dedicated to His purposes. This verse encourages us to recognize that our praise, our prayers, and our acknowledgment of God's sovereignty are valuable spiritual offerings, forming the very fabric of our ongoing relationship with Him. It challenges us to move beyond merely receiving God's help to actively engaging with Him through worship and prayer, making our lives a continuous testament to His goodness and faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific deliverances or blessings in your life call for a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" to the Lord?**
* **How can you intentionally cultivate a lifestyle of gratitude, moving beyond mere words to a heartfelt offering of praise?**
* **In what ways does "calling upon the name of the LORD" manifest in your daily life, beyond moments of crisis?**
* **How does understanding this verse deepen your appreciation for the spiritual nature of worship?**

### FAQ
**What is a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" in the context of Psalms 116:17?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" (Hebrew: *zevach todah*) was a specific type of peace offering, often involving an animal sacrifice and a communal meal, given to express gratitude for deliverance or blessings ([Leviticus 7:12-15](/leviticus/7-12 "The Law of the Peace Offering")). However, in Psalms 116:17, while echoing this tradition, the emphasis shifts from the physical ritual to the spiritual disposition. It represents the psalmist's heartfelt, voluntary offering of praise, gratitude, and a life dedicated to God, rather than merely a blood sacrifice. It's a spiritual act of worship, where the "offering" is the very attitude of a thankful heart and the vocalization of praise.

**What does "calling upon the name of the LORD" imply for believers today?**

Answer: "Calling upon the name of the LORD" is a profound biblical phrase signifying active reliance, invocation, and acknowledgment of God's character and authority. For believers today, it implies a continuous, intimate relationship with God through prayer, worship, and obedient living. It means seeking His presence, invoking His power in times of need, and attributing all blessings and salvation to Him. It's a commitment to depend on God in all circumstances, not just in crisis, and to live a life that consistently honors His name. This concept is central to the promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Calling on the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 116:17 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. While the psalmist offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving from a heart delivered from death, Jesus Christ *is* the ultimate and perfect "sacrifice of thanksgiving" for humanity. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the supreme act of obedience and gratitude to the Father, a perfect offering that fully accomplished God's redemptive plan. Through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, Christ became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making it possible for us to offer true spiritual sacrifices. Furthermore, Jesus Himself consistently "called upon the name of the LORD" throughout His earthly ministry, demonstrating perfect reliance on the Father, culminating in His cry from the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?")). As believers united with Christ, our "sacrifice of thanksgiving" is now offered *through* Him and *in* Him, a "sacrifice of praise" that is the "fruit of lips that acknowledge his name" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")). We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "call upon the name of the Lord" for salvation and daily sustenance, knowing that in Christ, God always hears and answers, inviting us into a perpetual state of gratitude and communion that reflects His finished work on our behalf ([Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - Do Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus")).

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 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.