Psalms 116:7

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

שׁוּבִ֣י Return H7725
שׁוּבִ֣י Return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 7
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נַ֭פְשִׁי O my soul H5315
נַ֭פְשִׁי O my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 2 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לִמְנוּחָ֑יְכִי unto thy rest H4494
לִמְנוּחָ֑יְכִי unto thy rest
Strong's: H4494
Word #: 3 of 7
quiet, i.e., (concretely) a settled spot, or (figuratively) a home
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְ֝הוָ֗ה for the LORD H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
גָּמַ֥ל hath dealt bountifully H1580
גָּמַ֥ל hath dealt bountifully
Strong's: H1580
Word #: 6 of 7
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
עָלָֽיְכִי׃ H5921
עָלָֽיְכִי׃
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Analysis & Commentary

Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. The psalmist addresses his own soul, commanding return to peace. Return unto thy rest (shuvi nafshi limnuchayikhi, שׁוּבִי נַפְשִׁי לִמְנוּחָיְכִי) uses shuv (שׁוּב, return), the great Hebrew word for repentance and restoration. Menuchah (מְנוּחָה) means rest, quiet, peaceful settlement.

The soul had been disturbed by death's threat (v. 3), turbulent with fear and anguish. Now, having experienced deliverance (v. 6), the soul is commanded to rest again. This is self-exhortation, talking to oneself to reinforce faith. David similarly questioned his downcast soul: 'Why art thou cast down, O my soul?' (Psalm 42:5), then commanded, 'Hope thou in God.'

For the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee (ki-Yahweh gamal alayikhi, כִּי־יְהוָה גָּמַל עָלָיְכִי). Gamal (גָּמַל) means to deal out, recompense, reward abundantly. The basis for soul-rest is divine bounty—not circumstances' improvement but God's faithful character and proven care. This anticipates Jesus's invitation: 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28).

Historical Context

Biblical anthropology recognizes internal dialogue and self-command as spiritual discipline. The 'soul' (nephesh) encompasses emotions, will, and desires. Believers must preach to themselves, reminding their turbulent emotions of theological truth. Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, 'A Christian must not only act, but be acted upon.' We must actively command our passive emotions based on divine truth. This psalm models cognitive-behavioral-spiritual therapy: rehearsing truth to calm anxiety, recalling past deliverance to trust future provision.

Questions for Reflection