12
What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
My Thoughts
The psalmist poses a thoughtful question, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” This reflection on gratitude emphasizes acknowledging God’s numerous mercies, which inspire a desire to express thankfulness in meaningful ways. Commentary from various theologians highlights the importance of focusing on God’s goodness rather than our troubles, encouraging believers to find unique methods of gratitude. For me, the question is “What could I possibly offer to my God, my King who has given me everything I could ever need, especially my salvation through Jesus Christ?” Ultimately, the inquiry reflects a heart seeking to honor God for divine blessings, urging individuals to recognize and respond to His grace…….Bill
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Commentaries:
Charles Spurgeon
“What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” He wisely leaves off fretting about man’s falsehood and his own ill humor and directs himself to his God. It is of little use to be harping on the string of man’s imperfection and deceitfulness; it is infinitely better to praise the perfection and faithfulness of God. The question of the verse is a very proper one: the Lord has rendered so much mercy to us that we ought to look about us, and look within us, and see what can be done by us to manifest our gratitude. We ought not only to do what is plainly before us but also with holy ingenuity to search out various ways by which we may render fresh praises unto our God. His benefits are so many that we cannot number them, and our ways of acknowledging his bestowments ought to be varied and numerous in proportion. Each person should have his own peculiar mode of expressing gratitude. The Lord sends each one a special benefit, let each one enquire, “What shall I render? What form of service would be most becoming in me?”
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Enduring Word
What shall I render to the LORD? Gratitude drove the psalmist to consider what return he could make to the God who had so generously shared His benefits, making the psalmist like the one grateful leper among the ten Jesus healed (Luke 17:12-19). (Guzik)
i. The psalmist wisely considered why God had been so good to him instead of why he had problems at all. He knew that problems were common to all men, but the benefits often only belonged to those who trusted God. (Guzik)
ii. All His benefits: “His benefits are so many, so various, so minute, that they often escape our observation while they exactly meet our wants.” (Spurgeon)
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Albert Barnes
What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? – All his “recompenses,” – the same word which in Psalms 116:7 is rendered “hath dealt bountifully.” The question here has reference to that. What return can be equal to his bounties; what will be a proper acknowledgment of them; with what can I repay him for them all? The question is a natural and a proper question. It is one which we naturally ask when we have received a favor from our fellow mortals; how much more proper is it in view of the favors which we receive from God – especially in view of the mercy of God in the gift of a Savior; the love manifested in the redemption of the soul! What can be an adequate return for love like that – for mercies so great, so undeserved?
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John Gill
What shall I render unto the Lord?…. He considers the Lord only as the author and giver of his mercies, and has nothing to say of his own merits, nor of other persons, who might be instruments of good to him; but is for giving all the glory to God: not as though he could render anything proportional or equivalent to what he had received, but as having a grateful sense of mercies, and willing, to express it; though at a loss, in a great measure, in what manner to do it, and therefore puts this question to himself and others:
[for] all his benefits towards me; or, “all his benefits are upon me”. This being a clause of itself, and shows what moved him to put the question he did; a sense of divine favors was impressed upon him, a load of benefits lay on him, and he wanted to ease himself in expressions of gratitude. These benefits were the blessings of nature and providence; his being, and the preservation of it, food, raiment, and the blessings of grace; spiritual blessings, all things pertaining to life and godliness, sanctification, adoption, pardon, justification, and eternal life. These may well be called “benefits,” since they spring entirely from the free grace of God; and they were many, more than could be counted and reckoned up, and set in order before the Lord; and yet he was desirous that none of them might be forgotten, but that praise might be rendered to the Lord for them all.
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Matthew Henry
His gratitude, v. 12, etc. God had been better to him than his fears, and had graciously delivered him out of his distresses; and, in consideration hereof,
1. He enquires what returns he shall make (v. 12): What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me? Here he speaks,
(1.) As one sensible of many mercies received from God-all his benefits. This psalm seems to have been penned upon occasion of someone’s particular benefit (v. 6, 7), but in that one, he saw many and that one brought many to mind, and therefore now he thinks of all God’s benefits towards him. Note, When we speak of God’s mercies we should magnify them and speak highly of them.
(2.) As one solicitous and studious how to express his gratitude: What shall I render unto the Lord? Not as if he thought he could render anything proportionable, or as a valuable consideration for what he had received; we can no more pretend to give a recompense to God than we can to merit any favor from him; but he desired to render something acceptable, something that God would be pleased with as the acknowledgment of a grateful mind. He asks God, What shall I render? Asks the priest, asks his friends, or rather asks himself, and communes with his own heart about it. Note, Having received many benefits from God, we are concerned to enquire, What shall we render?
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The Pulpit Commentaries
The inquiry of the grateful heart.
Many are the blessed spirits that worship God—penitence, faith, reverence, hope, and others. But none are more acceptable than the spirit of gratitude. It is that spirit which speaks here in our text. The following verses contain the answer which the same spirit gives. The inquiry before us implies remembrance of—
I. THE BENEFITS WHICH THE LORD HATH CONFERRED UPON US.
1. It is difficult because of their number, character, variety; and because of Satan’s never-ceasing endeavor to hinder us herein.
2. But is full of advantage. More glory comes to God. Our own soul is blessed. We become able to help others.
3. It is a habit which we should cultivate.
II. THE RESPONSE WHICH THESE BENEFITS DEMAND. That of a grateful heart, first and chief of all. God is ever seeking to make up this response, and the devil is ever seeking to prevent it.
III. THE LORD WHO PROMPTS THE INQUIRY WILL ENABLE US TO GIVE THE RESPONSE—S.C.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV )
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV)
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Psalm 23:5 (KJV)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psalm 22:25 (KJV)
25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation:
I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
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KJV W/Strongs Bible
116:12 What shall I render 7725 8686 unto the LORD 3068 [for] all his benefits 8408 toward me?
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalm 116:12
12 What shal I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
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Closing Thoughts
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NASB1995
And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” Jeremiah 45:5 NKJV
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