Psalm 76 11

Psalm 76:11 kjv

Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Psalm 76:11 nkjv

Make vows to the LORD your God, and pay them; Let all who are around Him bring presents to Him who ought to be feared.

Psalm 76:11 niv

Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

Psalm 76:11 esv

Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,

Psalm 76:11 nlt

Make vows to the LORD your God, and keep them.
Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One.

Psalm 76 verses

Psalm 76 11 Meaning

Psalm 76:11 is a powerful call to proper response in the face of God's awe-inspiring might and deliverances. It exhorts God's covenant people to make solemn promises to the Lord and faithfully fulfill them, signifying active commitment and integrity in their devotion. Simultaneously, it proclaims that all the surrounding nations—indeed, all the world—should bring tribute and gifts as an acknowledgment of God's supreme authority, motivated by the terrifying and awesome display of His judgment and sovereignty. The verse thus intertwines personal fidelity with universal submission to the one true God.

Psalm 76 11 Context

Psalm 76 is a "Song of Praise to God the Victor," likely celebrating a decisive historical deliverance, most notably the supernatural destruction of the Assyrian army that besieged Jerusalem in the time of King Hezekiah (2 Ki 19, Isa 37). The preceding verses vividly describe God's destructive power against the enemies of Jerusalem, depicting Him breaking their weapons and silencing their boasts. Mount Zion (Salem) is highlighted as God's chosen dwelling place where His glory shines forth, bringing terror to the arrogant and salvation to the humble of the earth. Verse 11 functions as the culminating demand arising from such a terrifying display of divine power and righteousness: the recognition of God's fearful sovereignty by both His covenant people and the nations surrounding them, expressed through commitment and tribute. It emphasizes that after such a divine intervention, an appropriate and mandatory response is required—both from within and without.

Psalm 76 11 Word analysis

• Vow (וַאֲלַתָּה, vālātāh): From the root nāzar or nādar (to make a vow), meaning to consecrate or promise solemnly. This is not a casual promise but a serious pledge, often made during times of distress or as an expression of devotion or gratitude for deliverance. It is a binding commitment made directly to God, highlighting personal accountability.
• and pay (וְשַׁלְּמוּ, vᵉšallĕmū): From the verb šālam, meaning to complete, repay, or make good. It signifies the imperative to fully and completely discharge the obligations of the vow, emphasizing integrity and faithfulness. It implies that simply making a vow is insufficient; fulfilling it is paramount.
• unto the LORD your God (לַֽיהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם, layhvh eloheyḵem): Specifically directs the vows to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The possessive "your God" highlights the exclusive and personal relationship Israel has with Him, underpinning their unique obligations.
• Let all that be round about him (כָל־סְבִיבָיו, kol-səvîvāv): Literally, "all his surroundings" or "all around Him." This phrase expands the scope beyond Israel to include the neighboring nations or, by extension, all humanity. It conveys a universal acknowledgment of God's domain.
• bring presents (יֹבִ֥ילוּ שַׁי, yôḇîlū šay): Yabal (bring, lead, carry) and šay (gift, tribute, offering). These are offerings or tributes signifying homage and submission. In the ancient world, subject peoples brought gifts to their conquering suzerain, symbolizing their fealty. Here, it signifies universal recognition and submission to God's reign.
• unto him that ought to be feared (לַמּוֹרָא, lammôrāʾ): Lammôrāʾ is derived from the root yārēʾ (to fear), meaning "the object of fear," "awe-inspiring," or "dread." This powerfully describes God’s nature—not just fear of punishment, but a profound reverence and awe for His overwhelming power, holiness, and righteous judgment. He is not merely respectable but formidable and awesome in His majesty.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God": This opening phrase is a direct command primarily to the covenant people (Israel). It underscores the practical and ethical dimension of their relationship with God. True worship involves not only declarations but also concrete actions and unwavering commitment, upholding one's word given before the Almighty. This section highlights responsibility, integrity, and proactive devotion.
• "let all that be round about him bring presents": This command shifts to a broader, global audience—the nations. It envisions a universal recognition and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The act of "bringing presents" serves as an act of homage and tribute, symbolizing their submission to God as the supreme King and Conqueror, not through coercive force alone but by acknowledging His terrifying and undeniable power as demonstrated.
• "unto him that ought to be feared": This concluding phrase functions as the common rationale for both sets of commands. God is the one who inspires fear and awe (Nora) due to His inherent power, His righteousness, and His decisive acts of judgment and salvation. This profound reverence for His terrifying majesty is the foundational motive for both personal devotion and universal submission. It unites the internal, personal covenant response with the external, universal response of tribute and worship.

Psalm 76 11 Bonus Section

• The dual injunctions—vows from the inner circle, tributes from the outer circle—reflect God's layered relationship with humanity: a unique covenant bond with Israel and a universal kingship over all nations.
• This verse carries significant eschatological weight, pointing forward to a future age when the Messiah will reign and all nations will flow to Jerusalem, bringing their wealth and homage to the God of Israel (cf. Isa 2:2-4, 60:5-7).
• The call to fulfill vows implies a spiritual accountability that underscores the sacredness of human promises made in God's presence, echoing the sanctity of covenants and oaths throughout Scripture.
• The Mora (Fear-inspiring) title for God underscores that His "terrible" acts (judgments and salvations) are designed to reveal His supreme holiness and power, eliciting a proper, reverential response from all creation.
• The "gifts" brought by nations can be interpreted metaphorically as not only material wealth but also their allegiance, worship, and the redirection of their resources and focus towards God.

Psalm 76 11 Commentary

Psalm 76:11 articulates the only fitting response to God's revealed power, specifically after His mighty judgment against adversaries, as depicted throughout the psalm. For His covenant people, it is a call to heightened piety: to make solemn vows—acts of willing commitment and consecration—and, critically, to fulfill them completely. This emphasis on performance underlines the biblical understanding of integrity in one's word before God; a vow unkept is worse than no vow at all. It represents a living faith that expresses itself in active obedience and grateful service. Concurrently, the verse prophesies and commands that "all the surrounding lands"—a prophetic vision of all nations—will, or should, acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty by "bringing presents" or tribute. These gifts symbolize submission, homage, and recognition of His ultimate Kingship, forced not only by terror but by an overwhelming awareness of His undeniable majesty. The entire verse converges on God's identity as "Him that ought to be feared," meaning the Awesome One. This deep reverence, far from being merely dread, encompasses profound awe, respect, and worship inspired by His holiness, power, and glory, which is capable of both delivering His people and decisively crushing their enemies.