Every good thing, a gift divine,
From God above, in His love, does shine.
In every circumstance, near or far,
Upon us always, is God's saving star.
He values our lives, oh so immensely,
His love for us, boundless and intensely.
His redeeming love, a beacon bright,
Delivers us into His holy light.
Spiritual freedom from sin, a gift so grand,
In His presence, humbly we stand.
Commitments we make, promises we keep,
In faithfulness to God, our love runs deep.
Thankfulness we express, in words and deed,
Serving the Lord is our humble creed.
In gratitude, our hearts do sing,
For every good thing, from God, does spring.
REFLECTION:
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:12-13)
Every good thing comes from God. In all circumstances, God's saving power is upon us. He values our lives immensely. His redeeming love has delivered us and gave us spiritual freedom from sin. It is only fitting that we keep our commitments and be faithful in our promises to God.
Let us always be thankful in expressing our gratitude to God not just in words, but also through our actions of humbly serving the Lord.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We acknowledge that every good thing comes from You. In all circumstances, we are reminded of Your saving power upon us. You value our lives immensely, and for that, we are eternally grateful.
Your redeeming love has delivered us and given us spiritual freedom from sin. It is only fitting that we keep our commitments and be faithful in our promises to You.
Let us always be thankful, expressing our gratitude to You not just in words, but also through our actions of humbly serving You.
Guide us, Lord, in our daily lives, that we may always remember Your love and mercy.
In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO SAVES FROM DEATH
Psalm 116:1-19
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R: Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.
12 How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 13 The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. (R) 15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. 16 I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. (R) 17 To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people. (R)
Background:
Psalm 116 is part of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), which were sung by Jesus with His disciples on the night of His betrayal and arrest. This psalm is a song of gratitude and triumph over death.
The psalmist expresses deep love for the Lord because He has heard his prayers during a desperate season. The psalmist vows to call upon the Lord as long as he lives.
The psalmist describes being surrounded by the pains of death, experiencing trouble and sorrow. This crisis could have been due to sickness, injury, or persecution.
In verses 12-13, the psalmist contemplates what he can give to the Lord for all His benefits towards him. He decides to lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.
Verses 15-16 express that the death of the Lord’s faithful servants is precious in His sight. The psalmist affirms his servitude to the Lord and acknowledges that he has been freed from his chains.
In verses 17-18, the psalmist promises to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon the Lord’s name. He also vows to fulfill his promises to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
This psalm is a profound expression of gratitude and faith in the face of adversity, and it serves as a testament to the Lord’s deliverance and steadfast love.
Learning Lessons:
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18 offers several valuable lessons:
Gratitude: The psalmist asks, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?”. This reflects a heart full of gratitude and acknowledges that every good thing comes from God. It teaches us to always be thankful for God’s blessings.
Trust in God: The psalmist lifts up the cup of salvation, signifying trust in God’s deliverance. This teaches us to trust in God’s saving power in all circumstances.
Value of Life: The statement “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” shows that God values our lives immensely. It reminds us of the sanctity and value of life.
Servitude: The psalmist declares himself a servant of God, teaching us the importance of humility and servitude in our relationship with God.
Freedom: The psalmist acknowledges that God has freed him from his chains. This symbolizes spiritual freedom from sin and teaches us about God’s redeeming love.
Thanksgiving: The psalmist promises to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving. This teaches us to express our gratitude to God not just in words, but also through our actions.
Fulfilling Vows: The psalmist vows to fulfill his promises to the Lord. This teaches us about the importance of keeping our commitments and being faithful in our promises to God.
Public Worship: The psalmist vows to fulfill his promises in the presence of all God’s people. This highlights the importance of communal worship and public declaration of our faith.
These lessons remind us to be grateful, trust in God’s deliverance, value life, serve God humbly, celebrate our freedom in God, give thanks through actions, keep our promises to God, and worship God publicly. They guide us in our relationship with God and how we live our lives. (Conversation with Copilot)
