Psalms 116 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Uncertain, with the Hebrew wording pointing to a later period, probably after the exile
Location
Jerusalem, in the temple courts, where vows were publicly paid
Audience
Worshipers at the temple, and Passover households once this became part of the festival songs
Situation
A personal thanksgiving from someone who was close to death and was spared. The writer comes to the temple to keep promises made during the crisis, in front of everyone.
Key Background
The cup of salvation named here was a drink offering poured out at the altar as part of a thank offering, and this is one reason the psalm became part of the Passover meal, which uses cups of wine to mark its stages. Vows in Israel were conditional promises made during trouble, and paying them publicly was a legal and religious obligation, which explains why the writer stresses doing it in the presence of all the people. The line about the death of God's faithful being precious in his sight means those deaths are costly to him and not lightly permitted, rather than that dying is desirable.