Psalms 66:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I will go {H935}{H8799)} into thy house {H1004} with burnt offerings {H5930}: I will pay {H7999}{H8762)} thee my vows {H5088},

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—

American Standard Version

I will come into thy house with burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 66:13 captures the psalmist's deeply personal and intentional commitment to fulfill vows and offer sacrifices of thanksgiving in the Temple, a direct response to God's powerful deliverance and faithfulness. This verse articulates a profound sense of gratitude and integrity, demonstrating that true worship involves both heartfelt praise and the diligent keeping of promises made to the Lord in times of distress or petition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 opens with a universal call to praise God for His mighty deeds, recounting His awesome power displayed in creation and His historical interventions for Israel, such as the miraculous parting of the Red Sea ([Psalms 66:5-7](/psalms/66-5 "Psalms 66:5-7 - God's Awesome Deeds")). The psalm then shifts to a more personal testimony, where the psalmist recounts his own affliction and God's gracious deliverance ([Psalms 66:8-12](/psalms/66-8 "Psalms 66:8-12 - God's Refining Power")). Verse 13 marks a pivotal moment, as the psalmist moves from recounting God's acts and his personal experience of suffering to a specific, tangible response of worship. The "going into thy house" and the bringing of "burnt offerings" and "vows" are the concrete, physical expressions of the gratitude and commitment promised during his time of trouble, now that God has answered his prayers. This transition underscores the psalmist's integrity and the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "thy house" unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central sanctuary for Israelite worship. During the time of the psalms, the Temple was the prescribed place for offering sacrifices and fulfilling vows, as mandated by Mosaic Law. Burnt offerings (Hebrew: *`olah*) were a significant part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing complete dedication to God, as the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar. Vows (Hebrew: *neder*) were solemn, voluntary promises made to God, often in exchange for divine intervention during times of distress or as an expression of devotion. These vows were considered highly binding and their fulfillment was a matter of serious religious and social integrity ([Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - The Law Concerning Vows")). The psalmist's intention to go to the Temple with these specific offerings and to pay his vows reflects a deep understanding and adherence to the established religious practices of his time, demonstrating his faithfulness within the covenant community.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 66 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the **fulfillment of vows**, emphasizing the solemnity and importance of keeping one's promises to God. This theme underscores divine faithfulness, as God answers prayer, and human integrity, as the worshiper responds in kind. Secondly, it showcases **sacrifice as an act of thanksgiving and complete dedication**. The "burnt offerings" are not primarily for atonement in this context, but rather a tangible expression of profound gratitude for deliverance, symbolizing total surrender and devotion to the Lord. This contrasts with other types of offerings that might have different purposes, emphasizing the psalmist's wholehearted response. Lastly, the verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **personal response to divine deliverance**. While the psalm begins with a universal call to praise, verse 13 brings the focus to the individual's grateful and obedient action, demonstrating that true worship is not merely intellectual assent but an active, personal engagement with God, prompted by His faithfulness in one's life. This personal testimony serves as an encouragement for others to similarly respond to God's goodness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burnt Offerings (Hebrew, _‘olah_):** This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice where the entire animal, after its blood was drained, was consumed by fire on the altar. The Hebrew root means "that which ascends" or "goes up," referring to the smoke ascending to God. Unlike other offerings where portions were returned to the worshiper or priests, the *‘olah* symbolized complete dedication, total surrender, or full atonement, signifying that the offering was entirely for God. In this context, it primarily conveys complete devotion and thanksgiving for deliverance.
* **Vows (Hebrew, _neder_):** A *neder* was a voluntary, solemn promise made to God, often during a time of distress or petition, with the expectation that God would respond. These promises could involve specific offerings, acts of service, or abstentions. Once made, a vow was considered legally and religiously binding, and failure to fulfill it was a serious offense against God (see [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")). The psalmist's intention to "pay thee my vows" highlights his integrity and commitment to honor his word to God.
* **Thy House (Hebrew, _bayit_):** This refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. The Temple was considered God's dwelling place on earth, where His presence was uniquely manifested. Going to "thy house" signifies an intentional, physical journey to the sacred space where prescribed rituals and offerings were performed, underscoring the formal and communal aspect of worship alongside the personal commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will go into thy house":** This clause expresses the psalmist's deliberate and determined intention to physically enter the sacred space of the Temple. It signifies not merely a mental resolve but a concrete act of pilgrimage and participation in the established forms of worship. This journey is an act of obedience and devotion, acknowledging the Temple as the designated place for communion with God and the fulfillment of religious duties.
* **"with burnt offerings":** This specifies the type of sacrifice the psalmist intends to bring. The inclusion of "burnt offerings" indicates a desire to offer a complete and unreserved gift to God, symbolizing total dedication and profound gratitude. It is a tangible expression of worship, signifying that the psalmist is giving his very best and holding nothing back in response to God's faithfulness.
* **"I will pay thee my vows":** This clause directly states the fulfillment of solemn promises made to God. The act of "paying" emphasizes the debt-like nature of a vow, a commitment that must be honored. This demonstrates the psalmist's integrity and faithfulness, acknowledging God's intervention and honoring the specific pledges made during a time of need. It highlights the reciprocal aspect of the covenant relationship, where human faithfulness responds to divine faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **First-Person Pronoun** ("I"), which immediately establishes a deeply personal and individual commitment, distinguishing this verse from the preceding communal praise. This intensifies the sense of personal responsibility and devotion. There is also a subtle form of **Parallelism** between "burnt offerings" and "my vows," as both represent distinct but complementary forms of expressing gratitude and commitment to God. While not strictly synonymous, they function together to convey the totality of the psalmist's responsive worship. Furthermore, "thy house" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, standing for the entire cultic system of Israelite worship centered at the Temple, and by extension, the very presence of God. The "burnt offerings" themselves are **Symbols** of complete dedication and thanksgiving, transcending their literal form to represent the psalmist's wholehearted surrender.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 66:13 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that worship is a responsive act, flowing from a recognition of God's mighty deeds and personal deliverance. The psalmist's commitment to bring burnt offerings and pay vows underscores the theological importance of integrity in our promises to God and the value of tangible expressions of gratitude. This verse teaches that our word to God is sacred, and our worship should be intentional and costly, reflecting the depth of our appreciation for His faithfulness. It connects the Old Testament sacrificial system, not merely to atonement, but to heartfelt thanksgiving and dedication, anticipating the New Testament call to offer spiritual sacrifices.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do Not Delay in Fulfilling Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Better Not to Vow Than to Vow and Not Pay")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering Sacrifices of Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the modern believer, while the physical act of bringing burnt offerings and animal sacrifices has been fulfilled in Christ, the spirit of Psalms 66:13 remains profoundly relevant. It calls us to examine the sincerity and intentionality of our worship and our commitments to God. Just as the psalmist honored his vows in response to divine deliverance, we are challenged to fulfill the promises we make to God, whether they involve dedicating our time, talents, or resources, or committing to a particular path of obedience. Our "offerings" today are spiritual sacrifices: our praise, our bodies presented as living sacrifices, our acts of service, and our generous giving. This verse reminds us that true gratitude is not merely a feeling but is expressed through deliberate actions that demonstrate our devotion and integrity, making our worship a holistic and responsive act to the God who continually delivers us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take the commitments and promises I make to God in prayer or times of need?**
* **In what ways can I offer "burnt offerings" of complete dedication and thanksgiving to God in my daily life, beyond formal worship services?**
* **How does my personal worship reflect a grateful response to God's past and present faithfulness and deliverance in my life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "burnt offerings" in this context for ancient Israel, and how does it apply today?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, a "burnt offering" (Hebrew: *‘olah*) was unique because the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication, total surrender, and a wholehearted gift to God. Unlike other sacrifices, no part was kept by the worshiper or priests. In Psalms 66:13, it signifies the psalmist's profound gratitude and devotion for God's deliverance, offering his "all" in thanksgiving. For Christians today, while animal sacrifices are no longer required due to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, the principle of complete dedication remains. We are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Spiritual Sacrifices")), which include our praise, our bodies presented as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), and our time, talents, and resources, all given fully and unreservedly to God as an act of worship and gratitude.

**Are vows still relevant for Christians today, given the New Testament emphasis on grace?**

Answer: While the Old Testament practice of making specific, often material, vows to God for deliverance or favor is not directly replicated in the New Covenant, the underlying principle of integrity, commitment, and truthfulness before God remains highly relevant. Jesus taught against frivolous oaths ([Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Oaths")) and emphasized that our "yes" should mean "yes." The New Testament encourages believers to live lives of consistent faithfulness and commitment to Christ, which can be seen as a continuous "vow" of discipleship. Our baptism, communion, and church membership are all forms of public commitment to God and His people. Therefore, while the form has changed, the spiritual essence of honoring our word and being faithful to our commitments made to God, whether explicit or implicit, is absolutely crucial for Christian living.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 66:13, with its focus on burnt offerings and the payment of vows, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the burnt offering which symbolized complete dedication, pointed forward to the singular, perfect, and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. His death on the cross was the ultimate "burnt offering," a total and unreserved giving of Himself to God, not merely as an act of thanksgiving, but as the propitiation for the sins of the world ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), fulfilling all the types and shadows of the Old Covenant. Furthermore, Christ perfectly "paid His vows" to the Father, fulfilling every promise and prophecy concerning His redemptive work, demonstrating absolute obedience even to death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His finished work, believers are now invited to enter God's "house"—not a physical temple, but the very presence of God through Christ's blood ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). Our "offerings" and "vows" are now spiritual: lives of worship, praise, and service, presented as living sacrifices through Him who made the ultimate sacrifice ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). Thus, Psalms 66:13 anticipates the profound reality that all true worship, all fulfilled promises, and all access to God's presence are made possible and meaningful only through Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 56:12

Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Psalms 118:19

¶ Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

Psalms 116:14

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

Psalms 116:17

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalms 116:19

In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

Ecclesiastes 5:4

¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.