Psalm 116 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving (Reorientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try entering into gratitude with this three-part rhythm:

Part 1

Become present to the presence of God:

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 ESV).

Pause in silence before God. Practice breathing slowly and deeply. As you inhale, invite the Holy Spirit to fill every part of your being- your body, mind, imagination, affections and emotions. As you exhale, release any burdens you are carrying into this time of prayer. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self -‘as is’ -before the presence of God.

Optional prayer of approach: “Lord, how can I express my love for you? You have covered me with your kindness. Ransomed me with your blood. Revealed your heart to me. Called me your own. I have walked with one foot in the grave, seduced by sin, dragged down by death… but at the sound of my groaning you lifted me from darkness… Though I am an unfinished work, I rest in your finished work.” (Endless Grace, by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt: Psalm 116).

Part 2

Slowly read from Psalm 116 (NIV) out loud: (for audio versions click here)

1  I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

    he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
6 The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.

7 Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.

8 For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.

10 I trusted in the Lord when I said,
    “I am greatly afflicted”;
11 in my alarm I said,
    “Everyone is a liar.”

12 What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord—
    in your midst, Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord.

Part 3

Use your own words to pray Psalm 116 back to God:

Begin by personalizing the pronouns in the psalm, turning the words about God into a prayer directly to God. For example, v. 1 (‘I love the Lord, for he heard my voice‘) becomes ‘I love YOU Lord, for YOU heard MY voice.’ Pray your way through the psalm in this way.

Then gather these thoughts into your own psalm of thanksgiving:

  • Describe an experience of pain or difficulty…

  • What reminded you to call on the Lord?

  • Describe your experience of God’s deliverance, provision, or guidance. Give him thanks!

  • With whom can you share this story?

The psalms were originally written as lyrics, as prayers set to music. Throughout the history of Israel and the church, the people of God have sung the psalms. Song invites us to internalize the Word of God with the whole self- body, mind, imagination, emotions and affections. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 116 set to music. Try taking the psalm song with you into your day.

from the album ‘I Heard a Song I can’t Ignore’ (2020) by Mission House. wearemissionhouse.com

from the album ‘Psalms LP’ (2015) by Robbie Seay Band. robbieseayband.com