What is the meaning of Psalm 116:13? I will lift - The statement is an act of deliberate, personal resolve. The writer is not waiting to feel moved; he chooses to act (Psalm 34:1; Romans 12:1). - “Lift” carries the idea of raising something high in open acknowledgment, just as priests lifted offerings before God (Leviticus 7:30). - By placing “I will” first, the psalmist shows gratitude is expressed through obedience, echoing the previous verse’s question, “How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12). the cup of salvation - In the Old Testament a “cup” can picture one’s portion in life—either judgment (Isaiah 51:17) or blessing (Psalm 23:5). Here it is blessing: the overflowing experience of being rescued. - The cup may also allude to the thank offering shared after deliverance (Leviticus 7:11-15). The psalmist publicly drinks from it, celebrating God’s saving work. - This foreshadows the Last Supper, where Jesus “took a cup” declaring the new covenant of salvation through His blood (Luke 22:20). The cup that overflows for us cost Him everything. and call - Salvation does not end the conversation—it begins it. Having lifted the cup, the psalmist continues in prayerful dependence. - “Call” shows ongoing relationship, not a one-time cry. Believers are invited to “Call to Me and I will answer you” (Jeremiah 33:3) and are assured that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). - The order matters: thanksgiving first, then fresh petitions. Gratitude fuels faith for today’s needs. on the name of the LORD - In Scripture, the “name” represents God’s revealed character. To call on His name is to trust His person and promises (Exodus 34:5-7). - The psalmist does not appeal to his own merit but to the covenant name, “the LORD,” recalling steadfast love and faithfulness. - God’s name is a refuge: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). summary The verse records a believer’s grateful response to deliverance. He lifts high the overflowing “cup of salvation,” celebrating God’s rescue, and he keeps the conversation alive by calling on the trustworthy name of the LORD. Thanksgiving over past grace inspires confident prayer for present and future needs, all grounded in God’s unchanging character. |
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