Psalms 116:13

KJV

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will take {H5375} the cup {H3563} of salvation {H3444}, and call {H7121} upon the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

American Standard Version

I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The psalmist, having experienced profound deliverance from distress, declares a heartfelt and active response of gratitude to God. This verse encapsulates a personal vow to joyfully embrace the full measure of God's saving grace and to continually invoke His divine name in worship and dependence, signifying a public acknowledgment of divine faithfulness and a renewed commitment to the covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, falling within the collection of individual laments and thanksgivings. The psalmist has just recounted being delivered from the brink of death, experiencing "the cords of death" and "the pangs of Sheol" ([Psalms 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Snares of Death")). Having cried out to the Lord and found Him gracious and righteous ([Psalms 116:5](/psalms/116-5 "Psalm 116:5 - God's Grace and Righteousness")), the psalmist's soul has returned to its rest ([Psalms 116:7](/psalms/116-7 "Psalm 116:7 - Return to Rest")). Verse 12 poses the rhetorical question, "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?" ([Psalms 116:12](/psalms/116-12 "Psalm 116:12 - What Shall I Render?")). Verse 13 directly answers this profound question, articulating two concrete actions of gratitude and commitment that follow naturally from the preceding narrative of divine rescue and personal restoration. The subsequent verses ([Psalms 116:14-19](/psalms/116 "Psalm 116 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving")) further elaborate on the psalmist's public vows and acts of worship within the community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "taking the cup" resonates with ancient Near Eastern customs, where a cup often symbolized one's portion or destiny, whether of blessing, suffering, or wrath. In a context of thanksgiving, taking a cup could be part of a communal meal, a libation, or a celebratory toast, signifying the joyful acceptance of a divine gift. The act of "calling upon the name of the LORD" was a fundamental expression of faith and worship in Israel, deeply rooted in their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It implied invoking His character, power, and promises, often in public assembly or during a sacrificial offering. This practice was central to Israelite piety, emphasizing direct dependence on God for salvation and sustenance, and was a common response to divine intervention, echoing the calls for help and declarations of trust found throughout [the Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to the overarching themes of **gratitude and thanksgiving** for divine deliverance, which permeates [Psalm 116](/psalms/116 "Psalm 116 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving"). It highlights the psalmist's personal and active response to God's saving acts, moving beyond mere feeling to concrete expression. The "cup of salvation" embodies the theme of **divine rescue and blessing**, symbolizing the fullness of God's redemptive work in the psalmist's life, encompassing both physical preservation and spiritual restoration. Furthermore, "calling upon the name of the LORD" underscores the theme of **dependence and worship**, emphasizing an ongoing, intimate relationship with God, characterized by prayer, trust, and public acknowledgment of His sovereignty and faithfulness. This act is a public declaration of allegiance, reinforcing the covenantal bond and the psalmist's renewed commitment to live in accordance with God's will, as further elaborated in the psalmist's vows in [Psalms 116:14](/psalms/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - Fulfilling Vows") and [Psalms 116:18](/psalms/116-18 "Psalm 116:18 - Public Vows").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cup (Hebrew, _kos'_):** In biblical thought, a "cup" is a powerful metaphor for one's portion, destiny, or experience, whether positive or negative. It can represent God's wrath ([Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Wrath")), suffering ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), or, as here, blessing and salvation. To "take" or "lift" this cup signifies a joyful and intentional acceptance of the divine portion, often in a communal or ceremonial context of thanksgiving.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshu'ot'_):** This plural form (literally "salvations" or "deliverances") emphasizes the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of God's saving work. It encompasses not just one act of rescue but a multitude of deliverances—from death, distress, and despair—culminating in a state of well-being, wholeness, and peace. It speaks to God's repeated and abundant acts of rescue.
* **Call upon (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb means to "call out," "proclaim," "invoke," or "summon." When used in relation to God's name, it signifies an act of worship, prayer, and declaration of dependence. It is a fundamental expression of faith, acknowledging God's identity, power, and covenant faithfulness, and often implies a public and earnest appeal or declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will take the cup of salvation":** This clause expresses the psalmist's personal and active response to God's deliverance. The "cup of salvation" symbolizes the full measure of God's saving acts and the abundant blessings that flow from them. "Taking" this cup implies a joyful acceptance, an embrace of the divine gift, and likely a public act of thanksgiving, perhaps akin to a ceremonial libation or a toast of celebration in the presence of others, acknowledging the source of his deliverance. It is a vow to receive and celebrate God's goodness.
* **"and call upon the name of the LORD":** This second clause signifies an ongoing commitment to worship, prayer, and dependence. "Calling upon the name of the LORD" is a foundational act of faith in Israel, denoting reliance on God's character, power, and covenant promises. It is a public and personal invocation, a declaration of allegiance, and a perpetual act of communion, demonstrating that the psalmist's gratitude is not a one-time event but a continuous posture of faith and devotion. This act reinforces the personal relationship and acknowledges God's sovereignty over all life.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 116:13 employs several potent literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, with "the cup of salvation" serving as a vivid image. The cup, a common vessel, transcends its literal meaning to symbolize the full measure of God's blessings and deliverance, a portion joyfully received by the psalmist. This metaphor is rich with cultural resonance, as cups in the ancient world often represented one's destiny or experience. The phrase "call upon the name of the LORD" is an example of **metonymy**, where "name" stands for the entire character, reputation, authority, and presence of God. It is not merely uttering a word but invoking the very essence of Yahweh. The verse also exhibits **parallelism** in its two clauses, where the second clause ("and call upon the name of the LORD") complements and reinforces the first ("I will take the cup of salvation"), articulating two distinct yet interconnected expressions of thanksgiving and commitment. The **personal pronoun** "I" emphasizes the psalmist's individual and deliberate vow, making the declaration deeply intimate and resolute.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 116:13 beautifully articulates the appropriate human response to divine grace: active gratitude and perpetual dependence. It moves beyond a passive feeling of thankfulness to a deliberate, public, and ongoing commitment to God. The "cup of salvation" speaks to God's comprehensive deliverance, not just from physical peril but from all forms of distress, offering a holistic well-being. This acceptance of divine blessing is inextricably linked to the act of "calling upon the name of the LORD," which signifies a life lived in conscious reliance on God's character and power. This verse thus encapsulates the dynamic of salvation: God acts, and humanity responds with worship and renewed devotion, acknowledging Him as the source of all good. It highlights the deeply personal yet publicly expressed nature of true faith.

* [Psalms 23:5](/psalms/23-5 "Psalm 23:5 - The Overflowing Cup")
* [Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Call on the Name of the Lord")
* [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation for All Who Call")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 116:13 offers a profound blueprint for living a life of responsive faith. Having experienced God's deliverance, whether from a significant crisis or the daily mercies that sustain us, our natural and spiritual inclination should be one of profound gratitude. This verse challenges us to not merely acknowledge God's goodness in our hearts but to actively "take the cup of salvation"—to joyfully embrace the blessings and redemption He offers, allowing them to transform our perspective and actions. Furthermore, it calls us to "call upon the name of the LORD" continually. This is an invitation to a life saturated with prayer, worship, and conscious dependence on God, not just in moments of need but as a constant posture of our being. It reminds us that our faith is not static; it is a dynamic relationship characterized by ongoing communication and public testimony to God's faithfulness, inspiring us to share the story of His saving work in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "cup of salvation" has God offered or poured out in your life recently, and how have you actively "taken" it?**
* **In what practical ways can you more consistently "call upon the name of the LORD" in your daily life, beyond moments of crisis?**
* **How does your gratitude for God's deliverance translate into public acts of worship or testimony?**

### FAQ

**What does "the cup of salvation" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The cup of salvation" is a powerful metaphor representing the full measure of God's blessings, deliverance, and saving acts. In ancient cultures, a cup often symbolized one's portion or destiny. Here, it specifically refers to the abundant and comprehensive rescue God has provided to the psalmist, encompassing physical safety, spiritual restoration, and overall well-being. To "take" this cup means to joyfully accept and embrace these divine favors, often implying a public act of thanksgiving or celebration. It contrasts with "cups" of wrath or suffering mentioned elsewhere in scripture, such as the cup of God's fury in [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury") or the cup of suffering Jesus prayed about in [Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane").

**Why is "calling upon the name of the LORD" significant?**

Answer: "Calling upon the name of the LORD" is a fundamental and deeply significant act of worship and faith throughout the Bible. It signifies more than just uttering God's name; it means invoking His character, power, authority, and covenant faithfulness. It is an act of humble dependence, an appeal for help, a declaration of trust, and a public acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This phrase emphasizes a direct, personal, and ongoing relationship with God. It is a core expression of Israelite piety and is often linked to salvation and deliverance, as seen in [Joel 2:32](/joel/2-32 "Joel 2:32 - Call on the Name of the Lord") and quoted in [Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation for All Who Call"), promising salvation to all who call upon the name of the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 116:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "cup of salvation" that the psalmist vows to take is perfectly embodied and offered through Christ's redemptive work. While the psalmist celebrated deliverance from physical death and distress, Jesus took the "cup" of God's wrath and suffering on the cross ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), so that we might receive the "cup of blessing" ([1_corinthians/10-16](/1_corinthians/10-16 "1 Corinthians 10:16 - The Cup of Blessing"))—the full measure of God's grace and eternal salvation. Through His sacrifice, Christ became the very source and substance of our salvation, enabling us to truly "take the cup of salvation" by faith in Him. Furthermore, "calling upon the name of the LORD" is fulfilled in the New Covenant as we call upon the name of Jesus, who is Lord ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess Jesus as Lord")). The early church understood this, proclaiming salvation through no other name ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). Thus, the psalmist's vow becomes a prophetic echo of the believer's response to Christ: to joyfully embrace the salvation He provides and to continually worship and depend on Him as Lord, fulfilling the promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation for All Who Call")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 16:5

The LORD [is] the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

Psalms 105:1

¶ O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.

Psalms 116:2

Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Psalms 80:18

So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

Luke 22:20

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

1 Corinthians 10:16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?