Render Or Give
By Hunter Grills
July 14, 2026
Psalm 116:12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
As I was reading through my Bible, this verse jumped out at me. The word render was intriguing, which led me to research the definition. The word give is very similar to the word render, so why was the word give not used instead of render.
Below are the definitions and verses defining the two words from Websters 1828.
Render – To return; to pay back.
- Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
Give – To pass or deliver the property of a thing to another for an equivalent; to pay. We give the full value of all we purchase. A dollar is given for a day’s labor.
- Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Looking at these words and seeing Psalm 116:12 should lead us to a question. How can I return what the Lord has given me back to Him? Romans 12:1 states, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
It is reasonable for us to present our bodies a living sacrifice. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and that we are not our own.
His benefits toward me should lead me to a desire to render my life back to Him. I could never pay Him back for His blessings and benefits, but my heart should be one that understands and desires to render my life and body (which is already His) back to Him.
Reflection—The Psalmist was focused on God’s goodness to him instead of the why of problems.