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Psalm 116

This psalm was to be publicly sung.  It was an offering of thanksgiving for deliverance from death. The particular concern of the psalmist may have come during a severe sickness, one during which he was also being falsely accused of some sin and taunted with the accusation that his disease was probably punishment for some hidden offense.  The song was one that could be sung from time to time in the morning worship particularly for the sake of those who might experience similar misunderstanding.

The first two verses just announce the singer's reason for thanksgiving.  He sings, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications, because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live!"  Surely all of God's people should remember to express thanksgiving like that, for it is indeed wonderful that He listens to our every prayeer!

The song next recalls the psalmist's prayer under duress and the great danger he was in before he was rescued.  He sings, "The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me . . . trouble and sorrow . . . then I called upon the name of the Lord: 'O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!'"

He next celebrated the answer he received.  He sang,  "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful . . . I was brought low, and He saved me!"  He gladly went on, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you!"

With such joy, he then turns to the Lord Himself to sing, "For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling!" He's able to rejoice and rejoice again at the results of his deliverance, so he sings, "I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living!"

But there were those who thought differently of his sickness. They assumed that he was being punished for some secret sin.   But the psalmist reacted strongly and sorrowfully to the accusation as soon as he heard of it (just as we would) by indulging in a little self pity.  He assumed that "all men are liars!" 

But God in His grace overlooked the "pity party" and saved him anyway!  With that wonderful grace in view, the singer realizes anew what a gracious and merciful God he has!  The first thing he thinks of is how he might repay such a merciful God.  But then he realizes just how limited he was. He realizes that, because he's dealing with the Almighty, the only thing  he can do is to thankfully receive the blessings God gives him, and to walk more closely with Him.  The only reasonable thanksgiving he can offer is to continually call upon Him for more! Then, finally, he can also keep his promise (vow) to come and sing this song continually and to continually offer to Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving!"

The song concludes with joyful shouting!  He says, "I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of You, O Jerusalem!"

If the truth be known, there are occasions like this for each and every one of God's people.  The Thanksgiving day we celebrate as a nation is one of them, and there should be many more.  The courts of our Lord's house should ring with the joyful praise brought by God's thankful people.

This is quite a bit different from the one for this Psalm in the file you sent, Alan.

Which is the latest edit?

As nearly as I can determine, the one here reflects the latest edit.