Psalm 116 10

Psalm 116:10 kjv

I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

Psalm 116:10 nkjv

I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted."

Psalm 116:10 niv

I trusted in the LORD when I said, "I am greatly afflicted";

Psalm 116:10 esv

I believed, even when I spoke: "I am greatly afflicted";

Psalm 116:10 nlt

I believed in you, so I said,
"I am deeply troubled, LORD."

Psalm 116 verses

Psalm 116 10 Meaning

Psalm 116:10 declares the Psalmist's unwavering commitment to speak forth his faith, even in the midst of severe affliction. It expresses the profound connection between internal conviction and external verbal expression, positing that true belief compels open declaration, especially when challenged by immense suffering. It highlights a faith that endures and testifies even under duress, seeing speech not as an option but as a necessary outflow of genuine belief in God's faithfulness.

Psalm 116 10 Context

Psalm 116 is a psalm of thanksgiving from an individual who has been delivered from a dire situation, described as being near death (vv. 3-8). The Psalmist recounts how he "called upon the name of the Lord" in his distress (v. 4). The preceding verse (v. 9) expresses his resolve to "walk before the Lord in the land of the living." Therefore, verse 10 immediately follows a declaration of renewed life and purpose. "I believed, therefore I spoke; I was greatly afflicted" serves as the Psalmist's personal testimony and reflection on the ordeal. It encapsulates the spiritual struggle and the active response of faith during a time of extreme suffering, culminating in God's gracious intervention. Historically, this type of individual psalm of thanksgiving reflects the lived experience of Israelite worshipers, where personal crises were brought before God in the Temple, followed by public acknowledgment of His saving power. The Psalmist's declaration in affliction stands in stark contrast to pagan practices where suffering might lead to fatalism or blaming impersonal forces, asserting instead a relational God who hears and responds to the cry of His faithful.

Psalm 116 10 Word analysis

• I believed: Hebrew he'emanti (הֶאֱמַנְתִּי), from the root aman (אָמַן). This verb implies not merely intellectual assent but deep, abiding trust and firm conviction. It speaks of a faith that is reliable, stable, and foundational. It signifies having confidence in God's character, promises, and power, even when circumstances seem to contradict them. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing results: a faith that was established and continues.
• therefore I spoke: Hebrew ki 'adabber (כִּי אֲדַבֵּר). The particle ki can be translated as "for," "because," "surely," or "indeed." Here, it signifies the causal relationship between belief and speech. The Psalmist's speech is not merely an option but a compelled consequence of his deep-seated belief. adabber is from the verb dabar (דָּבַר), meaning "to speak, utter, declare." This speech can encompass prayer, lament, confession, praise, and public testimony. It signifies the verbal outflow of an inward spiritual state.
• I was greatly afflicted: Hebrew anīti m'od (עָנִיתִי מְאֹד). anīti is from the root anah (עָנָה), meaning "to afflict, humble, be oppressed." It refers to severe distress, pain, or humiliation. The first common singular indicates personal experience. m'od means "very, greatly, exceedingly," intensifying the degree of suffering. This phrase reveals the specific context in which the faith-fueled speech occurred – not in comfort, but under extreme duress. It underscores the genuineness and resilience of the belief that continued to express itself verbally despite intense hardship.
• "I believed, therefore I spoke": This phrase highlights the intimate and dynamic relationship between internal conviction and external verbalization. It is a foundational principle of biblical faith: true belief is never entirely silent. It seeks expression, especially in times of testing. This speaking is an act of defiance against despair, a reaffirmation of God's truth, and a witness to His sovereignty and faithfulness, even when the evidence of the senses points otherwise. The speech becomes an anchor for the soul, cementing the inner belief.
• "I believed, therefore I spoke; I was greatly afflicted.": This complete statement presents a profound paradox. The speech is not in spite of the affliction, but in a deeper sense, because of the belief that was present during the affliction. The Psalmist's speech became a testament to his faith's ability to withstand extreme pressure. The great affliction was the crucible that proved the genuineness of his belief, compelling a robust and unwavering verbal response, rather than silencing him. It’s a statement of courageous fidelity where inner faith, though severely tested, expressed itself outwardly and refused to yield to despair.

Psalm 116 10 Bonus section

The profound link between faith and confession articulated in Psalm 116:10 underscores the Hebrew concept of emunah – a steadfast, unwavering trust that finds its practical manifestation in action and word. It is this active dimension of faith that distinguished true worship in ancient Israel. The Psalmist's speech in affliction can be understood as an act of defiance against the surrounding pagan beliefs, which often viewed suffering as random fate or the anger of capricious gods, leading to passive resignation or propitiation rather than active, trusting engagement. His statement asserts the reality and responsiveness of YHWH even when conditions seem hopeless. Furthermore, the Psalmist models perseverance in faith; his "speaking" is a form of spiritual struggle, maintaining dialogue with God when all human solutions fail. This inner conviction then overflows, not only in personal communication with God but potentially in public testimony, fulfilling a vow or simply proclaiming God's truth. The "great affliction" thus becomes a crucible that refines and verifies the authenticity of the belief, leading to a tested, rather than merely theoretical, articulation of faith.

Psalm 116 10 Commentary

Psalm 116:10 provides a powerful declaration concerning the nature of authentic faith. It posits that true belief in God is not a passive mental state but an active, compelling force that necessitates verbal expression, particularly when life’s most severe trials emerge. The Psalmist did not remain silent in his great affliction; his deeply held belief in God's character and power drove him to speak, whether in prayer, lament, or confident testimony. This verse exemplifies the spiritual discipline of voicing one's faith into the face of adversity. The suffering was not a cause for silence or doubt, but rather a catalyst for a deeper, more pronounced confession of trust. The spoken word served as an anchor for the Psalmist's soul, reaffirming his dependence on God, defying the logic of despair, and ultimately bringing him to the point of deliverance and thanksgiving. It demonstrates that our confession of faith becomes strongest and most resonant when forged in the fires of personal hardship. For practical application, this verse encourages believers to vocalize their faith not only in times of joy but especially in seasons of profound difficulty, knowing that such speech actively strengthens internal resolve and bears witness to God's enduring truth. It challenges the believer to use their voice as an instrument of faith when they are "greatly afflicted," be it through prayer, praise, or testimony to others, choosing to speak belief over despair.