How would you feel if you were seconds from death—and someone pulled you back to life?
A man caught in a riptide was certain he was about to drown. Panicked and exhausted, he fought the current in vain.
An alert lifeguard spotted him, plunged into the surf, and battled the waves to bring him safely to shore.
Shaken and gasping for air, the man finally managed to say, “Thank you… How can I ever repay you?”
“You don’t have to repay me,” replied the lifeguard. “Just live your life like it matters—because you were just given it back.”
In today’s passage, the Psalmist asks an even more profound question in verse 12: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”
The NIV renders it:
“How can I repay the Lord
for all his goodness to me?”
It’s a question worthy of our consideration as we reflect on God’s many blessings in our lives.
There’s an old hymn that reminds us:
“Count your many blessings. Name them one by one.”
Think about your blessings:
- Communion with the Creator.
- Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins.
- The fellowship of a church family.
- Answered prayers.
- Faithful friends.
- Godly parents.
- Loving spouses and children.
- Material provisions.
- Daily comforts.
- Talents and abilities.
- Opportunities for growth.
- Dreams fulfilled.
These—and so many more—remind us, as the Psalmist recognized, that our feeble human effort can never truly repay God for His infinite grace and immeasurable goodness.
Yet gratitude must respond.
In the succeeding verses, the Psalmist shows us how.
#1 Receiving His Gift of Salvation
In the Jewish context and culture, he says, “I will lift up the cup of salvation.” It’s the imagery of a cup of blessing—celebrating deliverance.
The New Testament often speaks of salvation as God’s gift:
“The free gift” is mentioned repeatedly in Romans 5:15–18.
The “indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).
“The gift of God” wrapped up in His grace, mercy, and love (Eph. 2:4–8).
“The gift of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:7).
Only an ingrate could ignore or disparage God’s gift of so great a salvation.
The first way we “repay” God is not by giving—but by receiving.
#2 Express Dependence Through Prayer
Four times in this Psalm, the writer declares, “I will call on the name of the Lord.” It is an acknowledgment of his dependence on and trust in God.
This is one of the great paradoxes of Scripture: we “repay” God by asking for His help.
Persisting in prayer demonstrates our recognition of God as the source of every blessing and our reliance on His continual care.
#3 Live a Life of Faithful Obedience
“I will pay my vows to the Lord,” he affirms in verses 14 and 18.
This expresses loyalty, commitment, devotion, and dedication. Gratitude is shown through obedience—not out of obligation, but out of love that honors Him.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
We “repay” Him through a sincere desire to conform our will to His and become more like Christ in both attitude and action (Phil. 2:5).
Obedience is love in action.
#4 Offer Praise Publicly
“I will sacrifice a thank offering to you” (v. 17), and in the “courts of the house of the Lord” (v. 19), “in the presence of all His people,” the Psalmist declares.
When we verbalize our gratitude, share our story of God’s faithfulness, and openly declare our reverence for Him as our Rock, Redeemer, and Savior, we “repay” Him.
Gratitude that is never expressed is gratitude that is never completed.
Combined, these responses—though small compared to all God has done—declare, “Truly I am your servant, Lord” (v. 16).
They echo Paul’s exhortation to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).
Indeed, God has saved our lives—far more surely than any lifeguard ever could.
So how do we repay Him?
We receive His grace.
We depend on Him daily.
We obey Him faithfully.
We praise Him openly.
And above all, we live like it really matters—because it does.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 