Psalms 116:17

Study note

Setting — The psalmist speaks directly to Yahweh immediately after describing his deliverance from distress, identifying himself as a servant whose bonds have been broken by God.

The words — The Hebrew אֶזְבַּח ('ezbach) literally means "I will sacrifice," combined with תּוֹדָה (todah) for "thanksgiving." The phrase בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה (beShem Yahweh) translates literally as "in the name of Yahweh," directly preceding the verb אֶקְרָא ('ekra), "I will call."

The thread — The text of Psalms 50:14 commands offering a thanksgiving sacrifice to God, while Psalms 107:22 records worshipers offering such sacrifices and declaring His works with rejoicing. These passages establish a pattern where thank offerings are paired with public proclamation of divine action.

Why it lands — The verse requires a concrete response of gratitude and direct verbal address to God following deliverance. It instructs the reader to acknowledge rescue through specific worship acts rather than abstract reflection.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.