Psalms 116:17

Psalms 116:17

“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” The verse ties gratitude to action. Sacrifices of thanksgiving were offerings expressing gratitude for deliverance, provision, and divine mercy. In the temple economy, such sacrifices accompanied prayers and petitions, signaling a heart transformed by God’s deeds. The second clause, “call upon the name of the LORD,” reinforces trust and worship—prayer as ongoing reliance. The parallel structure ties thanksgiving to invocation, emphasizing both memory and relationship. The verse sits in a section of the psalm where the speaker commits to worship and public praise, linking private gratitude with communal worship.

Theologically, the verse locates gratitude within the framework of ritual and prayer. It shows that genuine thanksgiving is not only internal sentiment but expressed through words, offerings, and dependence on God. It emphasizes that gathering public worship and personal devotion are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. It also foreshadows the consistent biblical motif that God desires praise that results in a life of obedience, sacrifice, and trust.

Practically, cultivate daily or weekly expressions of thanksgiving: a gratitude journal, a post-meal prayer of thanks, or a note of appreciation to someone who helped you. If you attend church, consider volunteering for thanksgiving-related offerings or special services that welcome testimonies. In challenging seasons, intentionally offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving—praising God even when circumstances are difficult; it shifts perspective, inviting hope. Use prayer as a steady habit: “I call on your name” as a pattern of daily reliance.

Cross-References: Leviticus 7:12-15; Psalm 50:14-15; Psalm 69:30; Hebrews 13:15; Colossians 3:16-17