Old Lutherans

435. Saturday after Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity.

Psalm 116, 10-19. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted. I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

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We have a thousand things for which to thank the Lord; but forget to do it. In times of peace we fall into a sense of security; and in danger we are always prone to put our trust in human strength. Then it becomes necessary for the Lord to lead us into deep affliction, in order that we may believe in him only, and bless his name.

“I believed, therefore have I spoken,” says the Psalmist. “The Lord led me into sore affliction; and thus I learned to trust in him. Of this my speech bare witness, in that I said: Every man is a liar, I and all others; none is to be trusted; but the Lord is my strength; he hath delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.” Note well his words, dear reader: “I believed, therefore have I spoken; I said in my haste, All men are liars.” Here we are told that faith is born in agony, and that faith speaks; and we learn the remarkable truth that he who admits that “all men are liars” believes in God.

Now, when the Lord chastens me with affliction, helps me to believe, and saves me, what shall I render unto him in return for these benefits? “I will take the cup of salvation.” I will accept his salvation, and let the Lord save me, as he desires; trust in him, and surrender myself to him. He has pleasure in mercy; I also will desire it. A good method of making payment, certainly. Furthermore, I will “call upon the name of the Lord.” He is glad to have us call upon his name, and what more precious than to praise him? These are good terms which he has fixed for us. Finally, “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.” The “vows” of an Israelite usually consisted in thank-offerings; and in connection with them there always was a sacrificial feast with other godly men, who rejoiced with him over his deliverance. I will scatter about me the joy of salvation; feed the poor, bodily and spiritually; foregather with God’s people; kindle their devotion, and be kindled by it. Truly, “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord!” Thus is ended the sorrow of the Lord’s people.

Lord God, let me nevermore complain, and let me never put my trust in the power of man; but let me believe in thee, take the cup of salvation, call upon thy name, thank thee, and bless thee, and pay my vows unto thee. Truly, I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid; thou hast loosed my bonds. Hallelujah!*

Mighty God, while angels bless thee,
May a mortal lisp thy name?
Lord of men, as well as angels,
Thou art every creature’s theme.

Lord of every land and nation,
Ancient of eternal days!
Sounded through the wide creation
Be thy just and lawful praise.

[suggested tune: Rathbun (TLH 354), listen here]

* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.