Psalms 116:10

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 116:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:
Psalms 116:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 116

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10I believe, for I will speak: I was greatly afflicted:

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I believed, therefore have I spoken - This, in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, begins a new psalm, but without any good reason. This language is borrowed by the Apostle Paul to express his confidence in the truth of the gospel, and the effect which that confidence had on him in causing him to declare the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:13. The meaning here is, that in the time of his affliction the psalmist had true faith in God; and, as a result of that, he was able now to speak as he did. At that time he trusted in God; he called on him; he sought his mercy, and God heard his prayer; and now, as the consequence of that, he was enabled to give utterance to these thoughts. Faith was at the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“116:10 I believed in you: Paul quotes this phrase in 2 Cor 4:13.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I believed: Co2 4:13; Heb 11:1 therefore: Num 14:6-9; Pro 21:28; Pe2 1:16, Pe2 1:21 I was greatly: Psa 116:3 Psalms 116:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Since כּי אדבּר does not introduce anything that could become an object of belief, האמין is absolute here: to have faith, just as in Job 24:22; Job 29:24, with לא it signifies "to be without faith, i.e., to despair." But how does it now proceed? The lxx renders ἐπίστευσα, διὸ ἐλάλησα, which the apostle makes use of in Co2 4:13, without our being therefore obliged with Luther to render: I believe, therefore I speak; כי does not signify διὸ. Nevertheless כי might according to the sense be used for לכן, if it had to be rendered with Hengstenberg: "I believed, therefore I spake,hy but I was very much plagued." But this assertion does not suit this connection, and has, moreover, no support…”
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Sources and verification