Psalm 116 – I Love the Lord!
Why do you love the Lord? Psalm 116 – I love the Lord, lists a number of reasons why the writer loves the Lord. Perhaps you can add your own reasons to the list.
Psalm 116
Psalm 116 – I love the Lord, begins with the statement of the writer’s love for God. He then enumerates a number of reasons for this love, starting with how God heard his cry for mercy.
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” (1-2)
God saved him from death.
“The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” (3-4)
He praises God for his compassionate nature.
“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (5-7)
Again, he mentions how God delivered him from death.
‘For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (8-9)
What Return to Give to the Lord?
In response to all God has done for him, the psalmist proclaims what he will do in return.
“What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.
Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains.
I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord—in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.” (12-19)
He will lift the cup of salvation, fulfill his vows, serve the Lord, offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and praise God.
The Cup of Salvation
The psalmist offers up the cup of salvation. Cup in the Old Testament may refer to God’s wrath (Is. 51:17) or abundance and blessing as found in Psalm 23:5.
“The “Cup of Salvation” in Psalm 116 aligns with themes of deliverance and covenantal faithfulness (cf. Exodus 6:6-7). Worshipers of the Most High publicly demonstrated gratitude through drink offerings (Numbers 28:7), reflecting their trust in the LORD’s sustaining power.” What is the Cup of Salvation?
Lifting the cup of salvation is an act of thanksgiving. When we accept the cup, we embrace the truth that salvation originates with the Almighty. It also suggests fellowship and communal worship. Sharing a cup remains a part of communion services.
“From a philosophical standpoint, the “Cup of Salvation” addresses a universal human pursuit of hope and deliverance. Across cultures, the concept of a cup signifies an intensely personal experience-either sharing in joy or partaking in sorrow. Scripture assures that the “Cup of Salvation” is the ultimate remedy for spiritual longing, grounded in the unchanging nature of the One who calls Himself “the Alpha and the Omega” (Revelation 22:13).” What is the Cup of Salvation?
In the New Testament, we see a cup featured at the Last Supper. “The Messiah took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and offered it to His disciples, proclaiming: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). This definitive act resonates with Psalm 116’s celebration of deliverance. Where the Old Testament worshiper lifts the “Cup of Salvation” in gratitude for rescued life, Christ embodies salvation itself. His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection complete humanity’s redemption.” What is the Cup of Salvation?
Hallel Psalm
Psalm 116 – I Love the Lord, is one of the Hallel Psalms. The Hebrew people sung it at every Seder meal, including the Seder meal on the night before Jesus died. As such, Jesus was well acquainted with this psalm.
Reflect on the words in light of what happened that night. Jesus knew something was up. He knew his betrayer and that he would likely die a harsh, cruel death. Look at his prayer in the garden that this cup might be taken away from him in light of the “cup of salvation” mentioned in this psalm. Perhaps the words of this psalm, and its emphasis on death, comforted him as he faced his own death and fulfilled his “vow to the Lord.” “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” (15)
“We continue to marvel at how significant it is that Jesus sang these words on the night of His betrayal and arrest, having instituted the cup of salvation under the New Covenant with His apostles (Luke 22:20). Jesus received that cup of salvation from His Father and gave it unto His people.
“Within a very little while after this singing, He, in Gethsemane, spoke of a cup, and in complete surrender to His Father’s will, consented to drink it. That was the cup of sorrows, of bitterness, of cursing. Having emptied it, He filled it with joy, with sweetness, with blessing. When we take that cup let us never forget the cost at which He so filled it for us.” (Morgan) Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 116
Psalm 116 – I Love the Lord
In Psalm 116 – I love the Lord, we hear why the writer loves the Lord. The Lord hears his prayers and answers them. God rescued him from death and sustains him in this life so that he no longer fears death. He trusts that he is precious in the Lord’s eyes.
Then Jesus came along and gave us more reasons to love the Lord. Jesus brought us salvation by drinking the cup of sorrows. All reasons to love our God.
There are so many more reasons to love the Lord. Why do you love the Lord?
For a beautiful musical rendition of these words, listen to “I Love the Lord,” sung by Whitney Houston.
(For other takes on this psalm, see Psalm 116: Precious in the Sight of the Lord – Patricia M Robertson and Psalm 116: God Conquers Death – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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