1.
I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
My voice and my supplications = My supplicating voice. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6 . So some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "the voice of my supplication".
2.
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3.
The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
sorrows = cords. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the pains produced by them.
hell = Sheol. See App-35 .
gat hold. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .
4.
Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Then called I = I will call, as in Psalms 116:13 . See the Structure.
my soul = me (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
5.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
Gracious. Compare Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 .
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
merciful = full of compassion.
6.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
simple = sincere or guileless ones; not "foolish" in the modern usage.
7.
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
rest. Plural for emphasis.
For = Because.
8.
For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9.
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10.
I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
I believed = I believed[Him]. Quoted in 2 Corinthians 4:13 .
11.
I said in my haste, All men are liars.
haste = hasting.
All men. Hebrew. 'adam (with Art.) = all humanity.
liars: or false.
12.
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
What shall I render . . . ? Note the answer in next verse.
13.
I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
I will take. The way to render thanks is to receive yet more grace.
And call = And [I will] call.
14.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15.
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
Precious. See note on 1 Samuel 3:1 .
saints = separated ones.
16.
O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
offer = sacrifice. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .
18.
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
19.
In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
Praise ye THE LORD = Hallelu-Jah. See App-4 .