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15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord
    is the death[a] of his faithful ones.
16 Lord, I am your servant.
    I am your servant, the child of your handmaid;[b]
    you have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and call on the name of the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 116:15 Precious . . . is the death: the psalmist indicates that God consents to the death of his faithful only with difficulty (see Isa 43:4), for death was regarded as taking away their relationship with him (see Pss 6:6; 72:13; 115:17). Some versions interpret this passage according to the dogma of the resurrection: “the death of his faithful ones has worth in the eyes of God.” See the analogous expression, “Their blood is precious in his sight” (Ps 72:14).
  2. Psalm 116:16 Child of your handmaid: see note on Ps 86:16.