God wants us to be real with Him. “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103:14).
Here is a simple outline of Psalm 116. 1. The Psalmist’s Cry (vv 1-2). Every prayer should have a point, and this one certainly does. The psalmist needs the help only God can give. 2. The Chance to Die (vv 3-4). Death is never more than a step away, but the Lord is closer than that! Death can’t touch us without His permission. 3. The Help on High (vv 5-7). God is gracious—always “inclined” (v 2) to help me; He’s righteous—always knowing the right thing to do; and He’s merciful—lavishing His undeserved help on us. 4. The Devil’s Lie (vv 8-11). There’s a fly in the ointment! Or perhaps two! Before he experienced his three-fold deliverance—“my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling” (v 8)—physical, emotional, and spiritual rescue, he had hastily concluded two things: that he was (lit) being browbeaten, and the Lord wasn’t responding; and that there’s no one you can trust. Hopelessness and cynicism are deadly to faith! Thankfully, God understands. 5. The Sacred Tie (vv 12-15). Here’s a familiar experience. “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits?” (v 12). The word render means “to return to the starting point.” Impossible! We’re eternally indebted to the Lord. How can we show our gratitude? Take some more! “I will take up the cup of salvation” (v 13). Strange but wonderful—the way to give to Him is to take from Him, with thankful hearts. And I now see how much He values His saints and their battle with death (v 15). 6. The Reason Why (vv 16-19). Lord, I’m your bondslave, but You’ve set me free. Now only love binds me (v 16)! The one thing I can give You is my thankful heart (v 17). I owe You everything (v 18)! So I say, “Praise the Lord!” (v 19).