lectionary.com

Holy Week · Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Psalm 116:12-19

The Cup of Salvation

April 2, 2026

Old Woman Saying Grace ("The Prayer without End"), Nicolaes Maes
Old Woman Saying Grace ("The Prayer without End"), Nicolaes Maes, c. 1656Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
A plain table, a plain meal, and a woman taking her time over the thanks for it.I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.Nicolaes MaesA pupil of Rembrandt who left the history pieces alone and painted households.Rijksmuseum, AmsterdamThe Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJn. 13:1-15 (34-35)Jn 13:1-15 (34-35)
Epistle1 Cor. 11:23-321 Cor 11:23-32
Old TestamentExod. 12:1-14Ex 12:1-14Alt. OTExod. 24:3-11Ex 24:3-11
PsalterPs. 116:12-19Ps 116:12-19

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).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Psalm 116:12-19

Commentary

Psalm 116 Commentary: Love the Lord Who HearsPs 116 Commentary: Love the Lord Who Hears Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik covers the cup of salvation and paying vows in the presence of the people.

Psalm 116 CommentaryPs 116 Commentary Precept Austin

A study hub of notes and cross references on the psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance.

Psalm 116:12 CommentariesPs 116:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on what shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 116 with commentariesPs 116 with commentaries Sefaria

The Hebrew text and Jewish commentary for this Hallel psalm sung at Passover.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 116 - CatenaPs 116 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on the cup of salvation and thanksgiving for rescue from death.

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.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on John 13:1-15 (34-35)
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.