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Holy Week · Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper · Year B

Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc; 17-18 (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16)

The Cup of Salvation

March 25, 2027

The Saviour with the Eucharist, Juan de Juanes
The Saviour with the Eucharist, Juan de Juanes, c. 1560Museo del Prado, Madrid
Christ holding up the host in one hand with the chalice standing on the table beside him, looking straight out at whoever is in front of the picture.What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation.Juan de JuanesJuan de Juanes, the Valencian painter who made this image so familiar in Spain that it was copied for two centuries.Museo del Prado, MadridThe Museo del Prado, Madrid.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 13:1-15Jn 13:1-15
Second Reading1 Cor. 11:23-261 Cor 11:23-26
First ReadingExod. 12:1-8, 11-14Ex 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial PsalmPs. 116:12-13, 15-16bc; 17-18 (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16)Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc; 17-18 (cf. 1 Cor 10:16)Alt. Psalmcf. 1 Corinthians 10:16cf. 1 Cor 10:16

Overview & Insights

“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:13)

Psalm 116 is a thanksgiving psalm that celebrates deliverance from near-death distress (cf. esp. Ps. 30). It consists of a proclamation of praise and an introductory summary (vv. 1–2), as well as recollections of the distress (v. 3), of the cry to God (v. 4), and of Yahweh’s deliverance (vv. 8–11). Contained in this report is hymnic praise (vv. 5–6; so cf. 30:4–5, which also “interrupts” a report of deliverance) that confesses a general principle of praise exemplified in this testimony. The closing section narrates the thanksgiving rituals and ceremony that accompany the singing of this thanksgiving psalm (vv. 12–14, 17–19), along with more embedded hymnic praise and personal testimony (vv. 15–16).

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Take it further: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16bc; 17-18 (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16)

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19Commentary on Ps 116:1-2, 12-19 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the cup of salvation, the RCL Maundy Thursday responsory.

Psalm 116 Commentary: Paying the Vow of GratitudePs 116 Commentary: Paying the Vow of Gratitude Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on lifting the cup of salvation and fulfilling vows of thanksgiving.

Psalm 116:12 CommentariesPs 116:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentaries on rendering thanks for the LORD's benefits.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 116 | Sefaria LibraryPs 116 | Sefaria Library Sefaria

Hebrew text of Psalm 116 with classical Jewish commentary.

The Church Fathers

Psalms 116 - Catena Bible & CommentariesPs 116 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the cup of salvation and thanksgiving vows.

Questions preachers ask

Why is Psalm 116 sung in Holy Week?

Delivered from the snares of death, the psalmist vows to lift the cup of salvation and pay his vows, words fitting for the night of the Last Supper.

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