Psalms 116:18

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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

Original Language Analysis

נְ֭דָרַי my vows H5088
נְ֭דָרַי my vows
Strong's: H5088
Word #: 1 of 7
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
לַיהוָ֣ה unto the LORD H3068
לַיהוָ֣ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם I will pay H7999
אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם I will pay
Strong's: H7999
Word #: 3 of 7
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
נֶגְדָה H5048
נֶגְדָה
Strong's: H5048
Word #: 4 of 7
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
נָּ֝֗א H4994
נָּ֝֗א
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 5 of 7
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לְכָל H3605
לְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּֽוֹ׃ now in the presence of all his people H5971
עַמּֽוֹ׃ now in the presence of all his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 7 of 7
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

I will pay my vows unto the LORD (נְדָרַי לַיהוָה אֲשַׁלֵּם, nedarai la-YHWH ashallem)—Neder means vow, promise; shalam means pay, fulfill, complete. Now in the presence of all his people (נֶגְדָה־נָּא לְכָל־עַמּוֹ, negdah-na le-khol-ammo)—Neged means before, in front of, in the presence of.

Psalm 116 is a thanksgiving psalm for deliverance from death (vv. 3-8). David vowed something during distress and now publicly fulfills it. Vow-paying was done at the temple with sacrifices (Leviticus 7:16, 22:21). The public nature matters—testimony strengthens community faith. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns against making vows carelessly: "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it... Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

Historical Context

Israelite vows typically involved sacrifices or service pledges made during crises. Hannah vowed her son to temple service (1 Samuel 1:11). Jacob vowed tithes at Bethel (Genesis 28:20-22). The temple courts hosted vow-fulfillment ceremonies where individuals testified to God's deliverance while offering sacrifices.

Questions for Reflection