John Calvin Commentary Psalms 116:13

"I will take the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of Jehovah." — Psalms 116:13 (ASV)

The cup of salvation. He refers to a custom that was common under the Law. For when they gave solemn thanks to God, a feast was also appointed, at which, as a sign of their gladness, there was a holy libation. This, being a symbol of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, is for that reason called here the cup of salvation. The term to call upon, signifies to celebrate the name of God; and this he expresses more plainly later by saying that he would pay his vows in the assembly of the faithful, the sanctuary alone being the place where sacrifices could be offered.

The point is that the faithful need not be greatly perplexed about the way of performing their duties, since God does not demand from them a return which he knows they are unable to give, but is satisfied with a bare and simple acknowledgment. The proper return is to acknowledge our obligation to him for everything.

If God deals so kindly and mercifully with us, and we fail to give him the tribute of praise for our deliverance that he claims, then our negligence becomes all the more shameful. And certainly, those who would rob their Author of the small return that so legitimately belongs to him are unworthy of the enjoyment—I do not say of the riches of the world, but of the light of the sun and the air by which we breathe and live.

The Mosaic ritual has indeed been abolished, and along with it the external libation referred to by David; yet the spiritual service, as we found in Psalm 50:23, The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me, is still in force. Let us, however, bear in mind that God is lawfully praised by us when we offer in sacrifice not only our tongues but also ourselves and all that we possess. This is not because God derives any profit from it, but because it is reasonable that our gratitude should manifest itself in this way.