Psalms 116:16 Meaning and Explanation
“O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist claims servant identity and celebrates liberation.
The Context of Psalms 116:16
The psalmist's identity and liberation recounted together.
What Does Psalms 116:16 Mean?
The double declaration of servanthood—'I am thy servant'—is intentional emphasis. This is not imposed slavery but chosen identity rooted in liberation. The phrase 'son of thine handmaid' adds genealogical weight: the psalmist's entire lineage belongs to God's household.
The statement 'thou hast loosed my bonds' provides the foundation for this servanthood. Real freedom, paradoxically, comes through binding oneself to God. The psalmist has been freed from death's bonds (verse 3) in order to assume service to the Living God.
Psalms 116:16 in the Original Language
Pitachta (פִּתַּחְתָּ), 'loosed' — opened, released from bondage; suggests breaking chains or freeing a prisoner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 116:16
What does Psalms 116:16 mean?
The psalmist claims servant identity and celebrates liberation.
What is the context of Psalms 116:16?
The psalmist's identity and liberation recounted together.