This verse teaches that true worship is both an act of thanksgiving and a continual commitment to seeking the Lord in prayer.
The psalmist exclaims in gratitude, declaring, “To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD” (v.17). This statement conveys a deliberate choice to present an offering before God, reflecting a deeply personal acknowledgment of His goodness. A “sacrifice of thanksgiving” in ancient Israel often referred to a practice where worshipers brought offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem, recognizing that every blessing—both extraordinary and commonplace—fundamentally originated from the LORD. By calling upon His name, the psalmist embraces an ongoing relationship with the Lord, entrusting Him with every aspect of life.
When the psalmist says, “And call upon the name of the LORD” (v.17), it linguistically weaves a dependence on God into the act of giving thanks. Prayer and praise become intertwined avenues to express adoration and trust. In the broader scriptural narrative, sacrificing with thanksgiving echoes in the New Testament teaching where believers offer the “fruit of lips that give thanks to His name”, drawing a parallel between the psalmist’s resolve and the believer’s calling in Christ (Hebrews 13:15). This verse thus resonates with the heart of genuine worship: a sacrifice marked by sincere gratitude and recognition that one’s help and deliverance come from the Lord.
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Psalms 116:17 meaning
The psalmist exclaims in gratitude, declaring, “To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD” (v.17). This statement conveys a deliberate choice to present an offering before God, reflecting a deeply personal acknowledgment of His goodness. A “sacrifice of thanksgiving” in ancient Israel often referred to a practice where worshipers brought offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem, recognizing that every blessing—both extraordinary and commonplace—fundamentally originated from the LORD. By calling upon His name, the psalmist embraces an ongoing relationship with the Lord, entrusting Him with every aspect of life.
When the psalmist says, “And call upon the name of the LORD” (v.17), it linguistically weaves a dependence on God into the act of giving thanks. Prayer and praise become intertwined avenues to express adoration and trust. In the broader scriptural narrative, sacrificing with thanksgiving echoes in the New Testament teaching where believers offer the “fruit of lips that give thanks to His name”, drawing a parallel between the psalmist’s resolve and the believer’s calling in Christ (Hebrews 13:15). This verse thus resonates with the heart of genuine worship: a sacrifice marked by sincere gratitude and recognition that one’s help and deliverance come from the Lord.