1.

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.

1, 2. A truly grateful love will be evinced by acts of worship, which calling on God expresses (Psalms 116:13; Psalms 55:16; Psalms 86:7; compare Psalms 17:6; Psalms 31:2).

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.

3, 4. For similar figures for distress see Psalms 18:4; Psalms 18:5.
gat hold upon me—Another sense ("found") of the same word follows, as we speak of disease finding us, and of our finding or catching disease.

4.

Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5.

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

5-8. The relief which he asked is the result not of his merit, but of God's known pity and tenderness, which is acknowledged in assuring himself (his "soul," Psalms 11:1; Psalms 16:10) of rest and peace. All calamities [Psalms 16:10] are represented by death, tears, and falling of the feet (Psalms 56:13).

6.

The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7.

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

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.

9. walk before the Lord—act, or live under His favor and guidance (Genesis 17:1; Psalms 61:7).
land of the living— (Psalms 61:7).

10.

I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

10, 11. Confidence in God opposed to distrust of men, as not reliable (Psalms 68:8; Psalms 68:9). He speaks from an experience of the result of his faith.

11.

I said in my haste, All men are liars.

11. in my haste—literally, "terror," or "agitation," produced by his affliction (compare Psalms 31:22).

12.

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

12-14. These are modes of expressing acts of worship (compare Psalms 116:4; Psalms 50:14; Jonah 2:9).

13.

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

13. the cup of salvation—the drink offering which was part of the thank offering ().

14.

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

14. now—(compare ). "Oh, that (I may do it)" in the presence, &c.

15.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

15, 16. By the plea of being a homeborn servant, he intimates his claim on God's covenant love to His people.

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.

17-19. An ampler declaration of his purpose, designating the place, the Lord's house, or earthly residence in Jerusalem.

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.