Psalm 116 18

Psalm 116:18 kjv

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116:18 nkjv

I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people,

Psalm 116:18 niv

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

Psalm 116:18 esv

I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

Psalm 116:18 nlt

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people ?

Psalm 116 verses

Psalm 116 18 Meaning

Psalm 116:18 declares the psalmist's resolute commitment to fulfill his sacred promises to God. Having experienced profound divine deliverance from distress and the brink of death, he publicly affirms his gratitude and allegiance by stating his intention to honor the vows he made during his time of trouble. This act of repayment is not to be done privately but openly, before the assembled congregation of God's people, serving as a powerful testimony to the Lord's faithfulness and a means of corporate praise. It underscores the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship: God delivers, and His people respond with obedience and worship.

Psalm 116 18 Context

Psalm 116 is a personal psalm of thanksgiving (toda) where the psalmist recounts his deliverance from great distress and the threat of death. The preceding verses vividly describe his ordeal, likening it to the cords of death encompassing him and the terrors of Sheol (vv. 3-4). In his agony, he cried out to the Lord (vv. 1, 4), and God mercifully heard and delivered him (vv. 5-8). This personal experience of divine intervention transforms his desperation into a profound sense of gratitude and renewed trust. Verses 12-19 outline his determined response of thanksgiving and faithful worship. Verse 18, specifically, is a resolute declaration of his intention to publicly fulfill promises made during his distress, signifying the depth of his commitment and a desire for communal affirmation of God's goodness. It reflects ancient Israelite practice where vows were made in times of crisis and repaid, often through offerings, in the presence of the community at the sanctuary.

Psalm 116 18 Word analysis

• I will pay (אֲשַׁלֵּם - ashallēm):

  • Root shalem means "to be complete," "to be sound," "to be full."
  • Here, in the Piel stem, it means "to repay," "to fulfill," "to make good."
  • Significance: It indicates an active, determined intent to complete an obligation, often implying a sense of completion or making whole what was promised. It’s a purposeful act of discharging a debt of obligation or gratitude.

• my vows (נְדָרַי - nedāray):

  • Plural of neder (vow). A neder is a solemn, free-will promise made to God, often conditional on receiving divine help (a contingent vow) or simply an expression of devotion (a devotionary vow).
  • Significance: Unlike oaths (which typically confirm a statement or action to others), a vow is made solely to God. Breaking a vow was considered a serious offense, undermining trust and reverence for God. The plural form suggests multiple promises, or a series of pledges made in deep distress.

• to the Lord (לַֽיהוָה - la-YHWH):

  • YHWH (Yahweh), the unutterable four-letter name of God, refers to the personal, covenant-making God of Israel.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the direct, personal relationship and accountability the psalmist has with his Deliverer. It is a vow made not to a general deity, but to the specific, unchanging, and merciful God who entered into covenant with His people.

• in the presence of (לְנֶגֶד - lĕneged):

  • Literally "before," "opposite," "in front of."
  • Significance: Conveys public visibility and transparency. The act is not hidden or private, but openly declared for all to witness. It implies a formal, observed setting.

• all His people (כָּל־עַמּוֹ - kāl-ʿammō):

  • kāl means "all," "every," signifying the entire assembly. ʿammō means "His people," referring to the congregation of Israel.
  • Significance: This is a corporate act of worship and testimony. Paying vows publicly served multiple purposes: to give God public glory, to acknowledge His faithfulness before others, to encourage the faith of fellow believers, and to maintain communal accountability. It distinguished true worship from secretive practices and celebrated God openly within His covenant community.

• Word Group: "I will pay my vows":

  • This phrase embodies the principle of fidelity to one's word before God. It's an expression of an obligation undertaken voluntarily, which, once made, becomes a binding spiritual commitment. The act of "paying" here means fulfilling what was promised, likely through offerings or specific actions as prescribed by the Law or as implied by the vow itself. It is the human side of the covenantal relationship responding to God’s faithfulness.

• Word Group: "in the presence of all His people":

  • This highlights the communal aspect of Israelite worship and the importance of public witness. The congregation serves as both recipient and witness to the testimony of God's works. This open declaration served to glorify God communally, reinforce shared faith, and affirm the validity of the psalmist’s deliverance. It moves personal piety into the realm of public testimony, thereby strengthening the spiritual fabric of the community.

Psalm 116 18 Bonus section

The emphasis on public payment of vows aligns with the structured worship life of Israel, where sacrifices and offerings were brought to the Temple or tabernacle. This ensured not only communal observance but also adherence to Levitical law concerning votive offerings. In the Christian walk, while literal animal sacrifices and Temple vows are fulfilled in Christ, the principle endures: personal commitment and gratitude to God are often best expressed in the community of believers, fostering mutual encouragement and common glorification of God. Our "sacrifices" are now those of praise and a life lived in Christ, offered in sincerity within the spiritual body of "His people."

Psalm 116 18 Commentary

Psalm 116:18 reveals a core aspect of ancient Israelite faith and worship: the fulfillment of vows. After experiencing God's delivering power, the psalmist's primary response is a deeply committed act of gratitude expressed through the performance of promises made during distress. This act is deliberately public ("in the presence of all His people"), turning personal salvation into communal testimony. This public aspect ensures that God alone receives the glory, validating His faithfulness to the congregation, and serving as an encouragement for others facing their own trials. It teaches that our private commitments to God often culminate in public praise, embodying the principle that genuine faith expresses itself in visible, worshipful obedience that also benefits the Body.