The Belt of Truth: Psalm 116

Psalm 116 can be summarized by two declarative statements in verse 1 and verse 10: “I love!” And “I believe!” 

The I love section is the voice of Christ calling out how much he loves his Father. Indeed in John 14, Jesus states to his disciples that his obedience on the cross will showcase his love for his Father. 

Because of this love, the Father responds, rescuing the psalmist from death and Sheol, which is a quote of psalm 18. The psalmist was brought low, but God rescued him. 

Then when he turns his attention to faith, the psalmist vows to pay his vows, which is Christ promising to offer himself up. This is what he calls the cup of salvation. This cup is what Christ gave to his disciples at the Last Supper and what he gives to us. We too share in Christ and his suffering and drink the cup which our Lord drank. 

But again the Lord looses the bonds of this sacrifice, he frees from death and the psalmist, Christ, declares that he will give what he vows to the Lord to the people. Showing that the worship of the Lord is the place where Christ is received in Word and Sacrament.