Psalm 66 13

Psalm 66:13 kjv

I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

Psalm 66:13 nkjv

I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,

Psalm 66:13 niv

I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you?

Psalm 66:13 esv

I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you,

Psalm 66:13 nlt

Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings
to fulfill the vows I made to you ?

Psalm 66 verses

Psalm 66 13 Meaning

Psalm 66:13 expresses the worshipper's steadfast intention to approach the house of God with sacrifices, specifically burnt offerings, as a direct fulfillment of solemn vows made to the Most High. This declaration signifies a response of gratitude and faithfulness to God's intervention and deliverance, where promises made in distress are now honorably discharged in worship.

Psalm 66 13 Context

Psalm 66 is a psalm of communal praise and thanksgiving for God's powerful acts of deliverance and judgment, specifically for bringing His people through great trials. The earlier verses (1-12) recount God's awe-inspiring deeds, His sovereign control over creation and history, and particularly the metaphor of passing through fire and water, which many interpret as the Exodus and subsequent national trials. The psalmist shifts in verse 13 to a personal declaration of worship and the fulfillment of vows. This verse serves as a direct, tangible response of individual devotion and gratitude in the aftermath of corporate salvation. It anticipates a specific act of worship at the Temple, completing the circle of distress, deliverance, and dedicated thanksgiving.

Psalm 66 13 Word analysis

• I will come (אֶב֫וֹא, evoh): From the verb bo’ (בוא), meaning "to come" or "to go in." The imperfect tense indicates a definite, determined future action. This is not a hesitant desire but a firm resolution to physically enter God's presence, signifying a direct approach by the worshipper.
• into your house (אֶל-בֵּיתְךָ, el-beiteka): "Your house" refers to the dwelling place of God, primarily the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the central place of Israelite worship, representing God's localized presence on earth. Approaching "your house" signifies drawing near to God Himself, a sacred act of reverence and access granted by divine covenant.
• with burnt offerings (בְעֹלוֹת, b'olót): ʿOlah (עֹלָה) is a "whole burnt offering" or "ascension offering," from the verb ʿalah (עלה), "to ascend." It was entirely consumed on the altar by fire, its smoke ascending to God. This offering symbolized complete dedication, atonement, and the worshipper's full surrender to God. It was distinct from other sacrifices, as nothing was eaten by the priest or worshipper, emphasizing it was wholly for God. It often accompanied prayers, vows, or pleas for forgiveness.
• I will pay (אֲשַׁלֵּם, ashallēm): From the root shalem (שלם), meaning "to be complete," "to repay," or "to restore." Here, it signifies making good on a promise, fulfilling a debt, or completing an obligation. It conveys integrity and faithfulness in rendering what is due.
• my vows (נְדָרָי, nədārāy): Nedarim (נְדָרִים) are solemn promises or pledges made to God, often conditional on His intervention or blessing, especially during times of distress or petition. They are binding commitments that, once made, are to be faithfully executed. The plural form implies multiple pledges, or a general commitment to fulfill all personal vows made.

Psalm 66 13 Bonus section

The fulfillment of vows in the Old Testament, as exemplified in Psalm 66:13, teaches believers about the sanctity of promises made to God. While animal sacrifices and literal vows of this nature are fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Heb 10:4-7) and the New Covenant, the underlying principle of faithfully responding to God's grace remains profound. Christian living emphasizes spiritual sacrifices: the sacrifice of praise, sincere prayer, service, financial stewardship, and the dedication of one's entire life as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1, Heb 13:15-16). This continuity highlights that the heart of worship—a grateful and obedient spirit—transcends the outward form of ritual. The Temple, where such vows were fulfilled, prefigured God's dwelling among His people and ultimately, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers, making every place where a heart offers genuine praise and gratitude a "house of God."

Psalm 66 13 Commentary

Psalm 66:13 articulates a fundamental aspect of Old Covenant worship: the sacred obligation to fulfill vows made to God, typically accompanied by specific sacrificial offerings. The psalmist, having experienced God's deliverance (as recounted in the preceding verses), moves from corporate thanksgiving to a deeply personal act of worship. "Coming into your house" signifies entering the designated place of worship – the Temple – where such vows could be formally and ritually discharged. The choice of "burnt offerings" (ʿolá) underscores total devotion; as the entire animal was consumed, it represented the complete consecration of the worshipper to God in gratitude for divine intervention. This act of "paying vows" (ashallēm nedarim) was not merely a ritualistic performance but a moral imperative rooted in sincere thankfulness and recognition of God's faithfulness. It highlights the principle that God's people respond to His mercy with covenantal obedience and personal integrity. This verse provides a timeless lesson on the importance of gratitude expressed through faithful commitment and humble submission to God, whether through literal offerings then or spiritual sacrifices now.