Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 116:18

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

18. As in Psa 22:25 stress is laid upon the public confession of gratitude. Cp. Psa 66:13.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

I will pay my vows … – See Psa 116:14.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Psa 116:18-19

In the courts of the Lords house.

The duty and blessing of public worship

I. An urgent duty. That God should receive the adoration of His creatures is the first dictate of all theology. We are told, in the earliest periods of sacred history, of altars erected and sacrifices offered. It was not until natural religion degenerated into idolatry that the manner of their service was specially revealed. The light of nature had led them together into Gods presence. The throne of grace, the song of praise, the Word of God–by means like these His people find Him, and they can come even to His seat. They are to us the patriarchs ladder, connecting earth and heaven; and if ours is the true spirit of devotion, we too shall be encompassed with messages of Divine approval, and shall leave its scenes of gracious manifestation, exclaiming, It was none other than the house of God; it was the gate of heaven.

II. An invaluable privilege. The truth, that all duty is privilege, applies here with special force. The holy city drew forth the desires of the pious Hebrew, because it was the place of the visible presence of the Most High, where His favour was to be obtained. Within the gates of Jerusalem He was to be found; and the psalmist therefore longed, yea, even fainted for the courts of the Lord. Surely the Christian cannot lag behind the Jew, when he reckons up the benefits that flow from united approach to the place where prayer is wont to be made. What are all the ordinances of Christian faith, its simple sacraments, the Sabbath institution, the house of God, our perpetual access to the Throne–what are all these but our Jerusalem?

III. A scene of hallowed enjoyment. It is impossible to read this psalm without being struck with its cheerful, happy tone. It expresses feelings very unlike the repulsive gloom with which some have invested the sanctuary and its services. Gods worship inspired those who of old engaged in it with most enviable dispositions, if one may judge of them by their record here. How comprehensive its sympathies! How tender its affections! Love to God and man, to His Word, and to His people, breathes through every verse; and whenever God is worshipped in truth, the same experience is realized. Our feet stand on holy ground. Far hence be banished all profane thoughts and ungenial tempers, with the dark crowd of lusts that war against the soul. Here contrition mourns over sin; humility owns unworthiness; trustfulness casts herself on sovereign mercy; and love awakens love, as devotion enkindles her sacred fires. Let such feelings be in our hearts on one day of the week, and every other will own their influence; while the communion of saints is deepened in the place where the rich and poor meet together, and the Lord is the Maker of them all. Let it be something to us to belong to the company of those who worship God. Let our brethren be to us co-heirs of the grace of life, with whose joys and sorrows we seek to sympathize; and let our fellow-worshippers have a place in our kind regards and unfailing prayers. Let the very church we worship in be dear to us as the scene of sacred fellowship. (A. MacEwen, D.D.)

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Psa 117:1-2

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

And as I said before, so I now repeat my promise, for the greater assurance, and to lay the stricter obligation upon myself.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

I will pay my vows unto the Lord,….

[See comments on Ps 116:14]. And the Targum here, as there, paraphrases the latter clause,

now in the presence of all his people, thus;

“I will then declare his signs (or wonders) to all his people;”

the marvellous things he had done for him.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Psa 116:18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,

Ver. 18. I will pay ] See Psa 116:14 .

Now ] Vows were to be paid without either diminution or delays, Deu 23:21 ; Deu 23:23 . And herein Jacob (who is by the Hebrews called Votorum Pater, the father of vows) was too short; for it was long ere he went up to Bethel.

In the presence of all his people ] For good example’ sake. This also was prince-like, Eze 46:10 , the king’s seat in the sanctuary was open, that all might see him there, 2Ki 11:14 ; 2Ki 23:3 .

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Psa 116:14, Psa 22:25, Psa 76:11, Ecc 5:5

Reciprocal: Gen 28:20 – vowed Lev 7:16 – be a vow Lev 22:18 – vows Num 21:2 – vowed Num 30:2 – he shall do Deu 23:21 – General Deu 23:23 – That which Psa 9:14 – in the gates Psa 26:7 – That Psa 35:18 – give Psa 50:14 – pay Psa 118:19 – I will go Psa 149:1 – in the congregation Psa 150:1 – in his sanctuary Jer 51:10 – let us Jon 2:9 – I will sacrifice Nah 1:15 – perform

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

116:18 I will pay my {k} vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,

(k) I will thank him for his benefits, for that is a just payment, to confess that we owe all to God.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes