There is a presence of Aramaisms in the psalm which has been interpreted by some biblical commentators as evidence of a late date,[7] although this is not definitive.

Theodoret in the fifth century applied this psalm to the distresses of the Jews in the times of the Maccabees under Antiochus Epiphanes,[11][12] while a small minority ascribe it to Hezekiah's sickness, recorded in Isaiah 38;[13] Alexander Kirkpatrick notes a similarity in the wording.

If David were the author, it is not certain whether it was composed upon any particular occasion,[15] or "upon a general review of the many gracious deliverances God had wrought for him".

[30] David Dickson wrote, "This Psalm is a threefold engagement of the Psalmist unto thanksgiving unto God, for his mercy unto him, and in particular for some notable delivery of him from death, both bodily and spiritual."

On February 3, 1788 Anglican Minister, Reverend Richard Johnson delivered the first Christian church service ever on Australian soil to convicts of the First Fleet.

The city of Belfast, Northern Ireland has as its motto Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus, the Vulgate translation of Ps 116:12 ("what shall we give in return for so much?"

[31] Heinrich Schütz composed a metred paraphrase of Psalm 116 in German, "Meim Herzen ist's ein große Freud", SWV 214, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

[34] Marc-Antoine Charpentier set Psalmus David 115 (in Vulgate numbering), Credidi propter quod locutus sum, H. 209 - H. 209a, for soloists, chorus and continuo in 1690.

Franz Schreker composed a setting of Psalm 116 for three-part women's choir and orchestra as his Op.