lectionary.com

Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity

Psalm 116:12-19

The Cup of Salvation

November 1, 2026

The Antioch Chalice, Early Byzantine, unidentified silversmith
The Antioch Chalice, Early Byzantine, unidentified silversmith, 500–550The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A silver-gilt cup in an openwork cage of vines and figures, found in Syria and once claimed as the Holy Grail. It is a sixth-century standing lamp or chalice.What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe largest art museum in the Americas, founded in 1870 by a group of New Yorkers who wanted one and had no collection to start from.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMatt. 18:21-35Mt 18:21-35
EpistlePhil. 1:3-11Phil 1:3-11
Old TestamentMic. 6:6-8Mi 6:6-8
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

Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 116Enduring Word Bible Commentary Ps 116 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on lifting the cup of salvation and paying vows to the Lord.

Psalm 116:12 CommentariesPs 116:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries on the cup of salvation and the sacrifice of thanksgiving.

Psalm 116 CommentaryPs 116 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse studies on thanksgiving and the vows of the redeemed.

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

Luther Seminary on the Maundy Thursday thanksgiving psalm and the cup of salvation.

Background & Word Study

Psalms 116 - SefariaPs 116 - Sefaria Sefaria

Hebrew text of the thanksgiving psalm with classical Jewish commentary.

The Church Fathers

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

Church Fathers on the cup of salvation and the death of the saints.

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 Matthew 18:21-35
  • 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.