Psalms 116:17
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The psalmist declares he will offer a "sacrifice of thanksgiving," which isn't necessarily a literal animal sacrifice, but a heartfelt offering of praise. This spiritual sacrifice is more valuable to God than any ritualistic offering and is coupled with actively calling on God's name, showing that true worship involves both internal gratitude and outward devotion.
The psalmist has just recounted a near-death experience and his profound relief and deliverance. He's reflecting on how he cried out to God in his distress, and God heard him. Now, filled with gratitude, he’s vowing to publicly express his thanks and to continue calling on the Lord, recognizing that true worship involves both vocal praise and ongoing reliance on God.
What does it mean to offer a 'sacrifice of thanksgiving'? Does it require elaborate rituals, or something far more personal?
This verse highlights a shift in how God is to be approached. While Old Testament law involved literal animal sacrifices, the psalmist points to a different kind of offering. The 'sacrifice of thanksgiving' isn't about shedding blood, but about a heart overflowing with gratitude. It's about recognizing God's deliverance and expressing that recognition not through appeasement, but through genuine praise and acknowledgment of His goodness. This internal offering of a thankful heart is what God truly desires, even more than the prescribed ceremonies.
Think about it: When you've been through a tough time and God pulled you through, what's the most meaningful way you can respond? It's not just about going through the motions, but about a sincere, heartfelt 'thank you' that recognizes His power and love in your life.
The psalmist doesn't just thank God; he also commits to calling on His name. Why is this active calling so crucial, even after deliverance?
The second part of the verse, 'and call on the name of the LORD,' shows that thanksgiving and reliance on God are intertwined. It's not a one-time event; it's a continuous practice. Calling on God's name signifies acknowledging His authority, power, and presence in every aspect of life. It means trusting Him not only for past deliverances but for present needs and future uncertainties.
This act of calling isn't just a plea for help in times of crisis, but a constant affirmation of our relationship with Him. It’s like checking in with your best friend – you don’t just call them when you need something, but to stay connected. In the same way, calling on God’s name keeps us tethered to Him, ensuring our gratitude remains vibrant and our trust unwavering.
Understand the original words
zebach · Hebrew Noun
A visible, outward expression or ritual act offered to God, often representing gratitude, petition, or atonement.
todah · Hebrew Noun
An expression of gratitude and praise to God for His character and His acts of deliverance and kindness.
This psalm speaks from the perspective of someone deeply moved by God's deliverance, likely after the return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple. The 'sacrifice of thanksgiving' wasn't just a ritual, but a heartfelt response, calling on God's name publicly in the restored place of worship.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon's Temple, and exiled much of the population, marking a catastrophic end to Judah's independence.
c. 586-538 BC
The Babylonian Exile
Judah's inhabitants lived in exile in Babylon, a period of profound loss, spiritual testing, and reflection on their relationship with God.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquered the Babylonian Empire, opening the door for exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Under Cyrus's decree, many Judeans returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and their community, marking a significant turning point.
This passage speaks of returning to the Lord with words of praise, offering 'the fruit of our lips' as a sacrifice, echoing the psalmist's intention to offer thanksgiving.
Romans 12:1Paul calls believers to present their bodies as 'living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God,' which is a spiritual sacrifice of worship and thanksgiving, aligning with the spirit of Psalm 116:17.
Hebrews 13:15This verse explicitly states that through Jesus, believers offer 'a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name,' directly connecting the concept of sacrifice with vocal thanksgiving.
Psalm 50:14Here, God instructs the people to 'render thanks to God and pay your vows to the Most High,' highlighting that true worship involves thankfulness and fulfilling promises made in times of need.
pulpitPsalms 116:17: "I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD."
Verse 17. - I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Scarcely an actual sacrifice. Rather, simple thanksgiving, which, from a sincere heart, is the best sacrifice (see Psalm 50:14 and Hosea 14:2). And will call upon the Name of the Lord (comp. vers. 4 and 13).
henryPsalms 116:10-19: "I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:"
116:10-19 When troubled, we do best to hold our peace, for we are apt to speak unadvisedly. Yet there may be true faith where there are workings of unbelief; but then faith will prevail; and being humbled for our distrust of God's word, we shall experience his faithfulness to it. What can the pardoned sinner, or what can those who have been delivered from trouble or distress, render to the Lord for his benefits? W…
The psalmist declares he will offer a "sacrifice of thanksgiving," which isn't necessarily a literal animal sacrifice, but a heartfelt offering of praise. This spiritual sacrifice is more valuable to God than any ritualistic offering and is coupled with actively calling on God's name, showing that true worship involves both internal gratitude and outward devotion.
The psalmist has just recounted a near-death experience and his profound relief and deliverance. He's reflecting on how he cried out to God in his distress, and God heard him. Now, filled with gratitude, he’s vowing to publicly express his thanks and to continue calling on the Lord, recognizing that true worship involves both vocal praise and ongoing reliance on God.
The psalmist has just recounted a near-death experience and his profound relief and deliverance. He's reflecting on how he cried out to God in his distress, and God heard him. Now, filled with gratitude, he’s vowing to publicly express his thanks and to continue calling on the Lord, recognizing that true worship involves both vocal praise and ongoing reliance on God.
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c. 516 BC— this verse
Dedication of the Second Temple
After decades of work and setbacks, the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem was dedicated, symbolizing a restoration of worship and national identity.
c. 458 BC onwards
Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms
Later waves of returnees, led by Ezra and Nehemiah, worked to reform religious and civic life, further solidifying the post-exilic community.
"I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD." — The psalmist declares he will offer a "sacrifice of thanksgiving," which isn't necessarily a literal animal sacrifice, but a heartfelt offering of praise. This spiritual sacrifice is more valuable to…
