NOTES for Psa 116:1-8

This psalm describes very accurately the pattern of behavior of a person upon whom troubles rain down from every side. It is precisely this behavior that draws the greatest criticism from unbelievers: “Where is this God of yours? You keep asking and asking Him, yet look at what is happening in the world.” And indeed, when we ourselves go through terrible, tragic events, we very often approach God with accusations. How could He have allowed this?

But the path proposed in the Psalm is radically different from our prosecutorial habit of prayer. “The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He helped me.” A simple-hearted person is not someone who meekly and humbly accepts what is happening, because the Lord Himself asked us to hate many such things rather than accept them. Nor is it someone who, while accusing God of mortal sins and human deeds, is confident that he will put everything right himself. A simple-hearted person is not someone who meekly and humbly accepts what is happening, because the Lord Himself asked us to hate many things rather than accept them. It is beyond human strength to defend oneself against most afflictions. Only God can help us, but only if we ourselves acknowledge the need for His intervention in our affairs.