Psalm 50 14

Psalm 50:14 kjv

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psalm 50:14 nkjv

Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 50:14 niv

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

Psalm 50:14 esv

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,

Psalm 50:14 nlt

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

Psalm 50 verses

Psalm 50 14 Meaning

Psalm 50:14 serves as a pivotal call to true worship, shifting focus from external ritual to inner spiritual reality. It exhorts the people to express heartfelt gratitude and loyalty to God. "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving" (זְבַח לֵאלֹהִים תּוֹדָה, zevach le'elohim todah) means to present sincere praise and acknowledgment of God's character and deeds, not merely an animal offering, but a spiritual one flowing from a thankful heart. "And pay your vows to the Most High" (וְשַׁלֵּם לָעֶלְיוֹן נְדָרֶיךָ, w'shallēm la'elyōn nedareycha) underscores the importance of fulfilling personal commitments and promises made to God, the supreme and sovereign Ruler, demonstrating integrity and faithfulness in their covenant relationship.

Psalm 50 14 Context

Psalm 50 is a dramatic divine oracle delivered through the psalmist, presented as a "covenant lawsuit" or a prophetic indictment. God, referred to as the "Mighty One, God the Lord" (v. 1), summons all creation to witness His judgment of His own people, Israel. He speaks from Zion, surrounded by fire and storm (v. 3). The context is a direct confrontation with the Israelite people who diligently performed outward religious rituals, especially sacrifices, but neglected the moral and spiritual essence of their covenant with Him. God critiques their misunderstanding of His needs and the purpose of sacrifice, clarifying that He does not need their animals (v. 9-13) for sustenance, as He owns all creation. Instead, He seeks genuine worship characterized by heartfelt gratitude, fidelity to promises, and a lifestyle of righteousness. Verse 14 articulates the alternative to mere external offerings, pointing to internal, spiritual acts of worship and obedience, contrasting with the hypocrisy outlined in later verses (v. 16-21) where He confronts their immoral actions while they continued offering sacrifices. It polemically argues that God values genuine thanksgiving and ethical living above mere cultic observances.

Psalm 50 14 Word analysis

• Offer (זְבַח, zᵉvaḥ): An imperative verb, typically translated "sacrifice" or "slaughter." While it denotes the act of presenting a ritual sacrifice, in this context, when combined with "thanksgiving," it emphasizes the act of presentation of something valuable and consecrated, highlighting the heart's attitude rather than just the physical shedding of blood. It anticipates a deeper, spiritual offering.
• to God (לֵאלֹהִים, lēʼlōhîm): Composed of the preposition le- (to/for) and Elohim, a common Hebrew name for God. It specifies the sole recipient of genuine worship, underscoring the exclusivity and holiness of the act. The offering is not for human benefit or ritualistic formality, but directed to the Divine.
• a sacrifice of thanksgiving (תּוֹדָה, tôḏâ): This is a crucial term. Todah means "thanksgiving," "praise," or "confession." It specifically refers to the "thanksgiving offering" which was a sub-category of the peace offering (zevach shalamim), offered as an expression of gratitude for deliverance or blessings. However, here the emphasis is shifted: it's not the animal that's the primary "sacrifice," but the thanksgiving itself that is offered as the sacrifice. It represents a spiritual offering of praise, confession of God's goodness, and heartfelt gratitude. This emphasizes internal devotion over mere external ritual.
• and pay (וְשַׁלֵּם, wᵉšallēm): The conjunction we- (and) connects the two commands. Shallēm (from the root shalom) means "to make whole," "to complete," "to render," or "to repay." It implies fulfilling an obligation completely and integrity, indicating that promises made to God must be kept. This connects worship with personal faithfulness and commitment.
• to the Most High (לָעֶלְיוֹן, lā‘elyōn): Composed of the preposition la- (to/for) and ‘Elyōn, a divine epithet meaning "Most High." This title emphasizes God's transcendence, supremacy, sovereignty, and unparalleled authority over all things. It reminds the worshiper that vows are not made lightly or to an ordinary entity, but to the supreme, ruling power of the universe, adding weight and solemnity to the obligation.
• your vows (נְדָרֶיךָ, nᵉḏārêḵā): Plural noun nedarim (vows) with the second-person singular possessive suffix "your." A "vow" (neder) is a solemn promise or pledge made voluntarily to God, often involving specific actions, offerings, or abstinence (Num 30:2, Deut 23:21). The inclusion of "your" makes it personal and accountable. It reflects a personal commitment and the importance of fidelity to one's word before God.

Word-Groups Analysis:

• Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving: This phrase radically redefines "sacrifice." It's not the act of killing an animal as the essence of the sacrifice, but the internal disposition of thanks and praise that is truly valued and offered to God. It underscores the spiritual over the physical, showing that genuine worship flows from the heart in recognition of God's character and deeds. This spiritual emphasis foreshadows New Testament teachings about praise as sacrifice.
• and pay your vows to the Most High: This links ethical conduct and personal integrity directly to worship. It's not enough to praise God; one must also honor their word and commitments made before Him. The mention of "the Most High" elevates the seriousness of these vows, stressing that failing to fulfill them is a serious offense against the ultimate Sovereign. It grounds spiritual expression in practical faithfulness.

Psalm 50 14 Bonus section

• Spiritual Transformation: This verse prefigures the spiritual nature of New Covenant worship, where the physical temple and animal sacrifices are replaced by Christ's singular sacrifice and the spiritual sacrifices of praise, prayer, and obedient living from believers (Rom 12:1, Heb 13:15).
• Covenant Lawsuit Theme: As part of a "covenant lawsuit," this verse highlights God's justice and His role as the covenant Lord holding His people accountable, not just to ritual laws, but to the deeper relational and moral dimensions of the covenant. The call to thanksgiving and vow-keeping are the legitimate and acceptable terms for those who would stand righteous before God.
• Proverbs Parallel: The wisdom tradition frequently echoes this theme: "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice" (Prov 21:3). This emphasizes the continuity of divine expectation across different genres of Scripture.

Psalm 50 14 Commentary

Psalm 50:14 encapsulates a profound theological message that stands as a corrective against a misunderstanding of worship prevalent in ancient Israel. God, in this prophetic declaration, dismantles the notion that ritual sacrifice alone is sufficient or even desired by Him for its own sake. He challenges the people, who were scrupulous in bringing external offerings, to recognize that His primary desire is for their hearts and genuine devotion. The command to "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving" signifies that the true offering is not in the quantity of animals but in the quality of sincere gratitude emanating from a thankful spirit, acknowledging His blessings and majesty. This internal, spiritual sacrifice, expressed through vocal praise and recognition of His sovereignty, is far more precious than any physical burnt offering. Furthermore, "and pay your vows to the Most High" calls for personal integrity and faithfulness in their covenant relationship. Vows, freely made, represent personal commitments before God; their fulfillment demonstrates a walk of obedience and honesty with the divine, a practical outflow of sincere worship. Together, these two commands delineate a comprehensive worship: a grateful heart directed towards God, expressed through praise and confession, and a faithful life that honors one's commitments before Him, the Supreme Sovereign who rules all.