Psalms 116:8

Authorized King James Version

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For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חִלַּ֥צְתָּ For thou hast delivered H2502
חִלַּ֥צְתָּ For thou hast delivered
Strong's: H2502
Word #: 2 of 11
to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul H5315
נַפְשִׁ֗י my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִ֫מָּ֥וֶת from death H4194
מִ֫מָּ֥וֶת from death
Strong's: H4194
Word #: 4 of 11
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵינִ֥י mine eyes H5869
עֵינִ֥י mine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 6 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
דִּמְעָ֑ה from tears H1832
דִּמְעָ֑ה from tears
Strong's: H1832
Word #: 8 of 11
weeping
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רַגְלִ֥י and my feet H7272
רַגְלִ֥י and my feet
Strong's: H7272
Word #: 10 of 11
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
מִדֶּֽחִי׃ from falling H1762
מִדֶּֽחִי׃ from falling
Strong's: H1762
Word #: 11 of 11
a push, i.e., (by implication) a fall

Analysis & Commentary

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. This verse specifies God's bountiful dealings (v. 7) through threefold deliverance. Delivered my soul from death (challatzta nafshi mimavet, חִלַּצְתָּ נַפְשִׁי מִמָּוֶת) uses chalats (חָלַץ), meaning to pull out, rescue, equip—like removing someone from quicksand or battle. God extracted the psalmist from death's grip (v. 3).

Mine eyes from tears (et-eini min-dimah, אֶת־עֵינִי מִן־דִּמְעָה). God doesn't merely deliver from death but from the sorrow accompanying mortal threat. Weeping ceases when danger passes. This anticipates eschatological promise: 'God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes' (Revelation 21:4).

And my feet from falling (et-ragli midechi, אֶת־רַגְלִי מִדֶּחִי). Dechi (דֶּחִי) means stumbling, being pushed down. God steadied the psalmist's steps, preventing collapse. The three-fold pattern (soul/life, eyes/emotions, feet/stability) encompasses total deliverance—existence preserved, sorrow removed, stability restored. This is comprehensive salvation, body and soul.

Historical Context

This psalm was sung at Passover, Israel's foundational deliverance narrative. God delivered Israel's lives from death (Exodus 12, Passover), their tears from slavery's sorrow, and their feet from Egypt's bondage, leading them into freedom. Personal testimony merges with corporate memory. Every Israelite could say, 'God delivered my ancestors, and He delivered me.' Christians apply this to Christ's greater Exodus—delivering from sin's death, sin's sorrow, and sin's enslaving power. Baptism signifies this comprehensive deliverance.

Questions for Reflection