Lexical Summary tagmul: Recompense, Reward, Benefit Original Word: תַּגְמוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tiglath-pileser, Tilgath-pilneser From gamal; a bestowment -- benefit. see HEBREW gamal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom gamal Definition a benefit NASB Translation benefits (1). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Psalm 116:12 is the sole canonical appearance of תַּגְמוּל. The psalmist asks, “How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?”. The word centers on the “goodness” or “benefits” that the LORD has lavished on the believer. Contextual Setting Psalm 116 forms part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113–118), traditionally sung at Passover. The psalmist recounts personal deliverance from death (Psalm 116:3-8) and then turns to responsive gratitude (Psalm 116:12-19). תַּגְמוּל functions as the pivot: the rescued worshiper measures divine favors and seeks an adequate response. The setting grounds the concept in covenant faithfulness—Yahweh’s saving acts obligate His people to thankful obedience. Thematic Significance 1. Covenant Benefit: The term gathers up all the LORD’s saving deeds—rescue, preservation, and ongoing provision. Relation to the Vocabulary of Recompense While תַּגְמוּל occurs once, related forms (גְּמוּל, מִגְמָל) appear in passages ranging from Psalm 103:2 (“forget not all His benefits”) to Isaiah 35:4 (“He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will save you”). The semantic range spans positive reward to just retribution, underscoring that the righteous and the wicked alike receive fitting recompense from the LORD (compare Proverbs 11:31). In Psalm 116 the word is unambiguously benevolent. Intertestamental and Rabbinic Reflection Second-Temple literature often paraphrases Psalm 116 in liturgical prayers, emphasizing God’s גְמֻלוֹת (benefits). Rabbinic commentators link the verse to daily blessings (berakhot), encouraging constant enumeration of God’s favors. Typological and Christological Implications Psalm 116 is read during Passover, the feast ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 22:15-20). The benefits celebrated by the psalmist reach their fullness in the cross and resurrection. Believers “receive grace upon grace” in the Messiah (John 1:16), an overflow that deepens the question, “How can I repay the LORD?” The answer finds expression in Romans 12:1, offering bodies as “living sacrifices.” New Testament Echoes Ephesians 1:3–14 catalogs spiritual blessings that parallel Psalm 116’s benefits—election, redemption, inheritance. The motif of grateful response resurfaces in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, where Christ’s love compels believers to live for Him. Hebrews 13:15-16 links continual praise and practical service as fitting repayment. Pastoral and Worship Applications • Cultivate Remembrance: Encourage congregants to journal answered prayers, mirroring the psalmist’s review of benefits. Homiletical Insights A sermon on Psalm 116:12 may move through three movements: 1. Recollection of Deliverance (verses 1-11) Practical application can emphasize that while repayment is impossible, thanksgiving is imperative and transformative. Devotional Summary תַּגְמוּל invites every redeemed life to linger over God’s manifold mercies and to translate awe into action—lifting the cup of salvation, calling on the name of the LORD, and fulfilling vows in the assembly of His people. Forms and Transliterations תַּגְמוּל֥וֹהִי תגמולוהי taḡ·mū·lō·w·hî tagmuLohi taḡmūlōwhîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 116:12 HEB: לַיהוָ֑ה כָּֽל־ תַּגְמוּל֥וֹהִי עָלָֽי׃ NAS: For all His benefits toward KJV: unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? INT: to the LORD for all his benefits toward 1 Occurrence |
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