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Day 261

Psalm 116:18a "I will pay my vows to the LORD..."

Day 261 – Psalm 116

“I will pay my vows to the LORD…” Psalm 116:18a

THE DOCTRINE OF VOWS

The psalmist ends his psalm on a high note. He declares that he would openly pay all his vows to the Lord.

“I will pay my vows to the LORD
Now in the presence of all His people,
In the courts of the LORD’S house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!”
Psalm 116:18-19

1. Vow making

a) This was often solemnly made before a priest.
b) A vow is an express commitment from the individual.
c) Usually these vows were made by people facing distressful times.
d) These vows were meant to be taken seriously.

2. Fulfilment of the vows made

The psalmist’s personal example is worth studying carefully.

a) He is determined to keep all his vows made to God (Note: plural noun- “vows”).
b) He will pay his vows in public.
i) Before all the people gathered in the temple.
ii) In the courts of the Lord’s House (that is, “The temple”).
iii) In the midst of Jerusalem.
c) A great example has been set.

3. “Praise the Lord”

a) The experience of a miraculous deliverance should cause us to offer heartfelt-praise to God.
b) Vows should not be paid with a reluctant spirit.
c) All vows are to be made with the spirit of thanksgiving and joy.