Psalms 66:14

KJV

Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

KJV (with Strong's)

Which my lips {H8193} have uttered {H6475}{H8804)}, and my mouth {H6310} hath spoken {H1696}{H8765)}, when I was in trouble {H6862}.

Complete Jewish Bible

those my lips pronounced and my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

Berean Standard Bible

the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.

American Standard Version

Which my lips uttered, And my mouth spake, when I was in distress.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 66:14 captures the psalmist's profound commitment to God, recalling solemn promises made during a period of intense personal distress. It highlights the deeply personal and vocal nature of these vows, emphasizing the sincerity and intentionality of the worshiper's heart in a moment of desperate need, now expressed in thanksgiving and fulfillment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 66 is a vibrant psalm of thanksgiving, broadly divided into two sections. The first part ([Psalm 66:1-12](/psalms/66-1 "Psalm 66:1-12 - A Call to Universal Praise")) is a communal call for all the earth to praise God for His mighty acts of deliverance, particularly recalling the Exodus and the nation of Israel's journey through the wilderness, where God tested and refined them. The latter part of the psalm ([Psalm 66:13-20](/psalms/66-13 "Psalm 66:13-20 - Personal Thanksgiving and Vow Fulfillment")), where verse 14 is situated, shifts to a personal testimony of thanksgiving. Here, the psalmist recounts his own experience of crying out to God in trouble and God's gracious answer, culminating in the fulfillment of vows made during that time of distress. Verse 14 specifically articulates the vocal nature of these past commitments, setting the stage for the offerings described in the subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, vows were a significant and binding commitment made before God, often in exchange for divine intervention or blessing. They were not to be taken lightly, as evidenced by numerous biblical warnings against rash or unfulfilled vows (e.g., [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - On Vows") and [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of a Vow")). Such vows typically involved a promise to offer a specific sacrifice, perform a particular act of service, or dedicate something to God upon the fulfillment of a petition. The act of speaking these vows aloud, as emphasized in Psalm 66:14, was crucial, making them a public and formal declaration before God and potentially witnesses. The setting for fulfilling these vows would typically be the Temple in Jerusalem, where the psalmist would bring the promised offerings as a tangible expression of gratitude and faithfulness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 66 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the **sincerity and solemnity of vows** made to God, highlighting the deliberate verbal commitment. Secondly, it illustrates the human tendency to turn to God most earnestly in **times of trouble or affliction**, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Psalm 50:15 - Call Upon Me in Trouble"). Thirdly, and implicitly, it points to the crucial theme of **faithfulness in fulfilling promises** to God once deliverance has been granted, a principle reinforced in [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Do Not Delay to Pay Vows"). The psalmist's journey from distress to deliverance and then to dedicated worship serves as a powerful testament to God's responsiveness and the worshiper's integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Uttered (Hebrew, _pāthaḥ'_):** This verb literally means "to open," often referring to the opening of the mouth or lips. In this context, it signifies a deliberate, conscious, and vocal act of speaking. It implies that the words were not merely thought but were given outward expression, indicating a formal and intentional declaration. This emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of the vows, as they were audibly pronounced.
* **Spoken (Hebrew, _dābar'_):** This is a very common Hebrew verb meaning "to speak," "to declare," or "to say." When paired with _pāthaḥ_, it reinforces the idea of articulate and purposeful speech. _Dābar_ often carries the connotation of a weighty or authoritative utterance, further underscoring that these were not casual remarks but serious commitments. The combination of "uttered" and "spoken" creates a powerful sense of deliberate, intentional, and heartfelt verbalization.
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _tsarah'_):** This noun denotes distress, anguish, or narrowness. It describes a situation of great difficulty, affliction, or tribulation. The use of this word highlights the desperate circumstances that prompted the psalmist to make these vows. It speaks to a moment of intense need where the psalmist felt hemmed in or oppressed, turning to God as the only source of relief.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which my lips have uttered":** This clause emphasizes the personal and vocal nature of the commitment. The psalmist is not merely thinking a prayer or making a mental note; he is actively using his physical lips to give voice to his promises. This highlights the intentionality and the solemnity of the vow, making it a formal declaration.
* **"and my mouth hath spoken":** This phrase serves as a powerful reinforcement and parallel to the preceding clause. The repetition of the idea of vocalization ("lips have uttered" and "mouth hath spoken") underscores the deliberate, explicit, and undeniable nature of the vows. It signifies that these were not vague intentions but clearly articulated, binding words.
* **"when I was in trouble":** This final clause provides the crucial context for the vows. It reveals that these solemn promises were made during a period of intense distress, affliction, or hardship. This highlights the human tendency to turn to God with fervent pleas and commitments when faced with overwhelming difficulties, seeking divine intervention and deliverance from a desperate situation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "my lips have uttered" and "my mouth hath spoken," where two phrases express a similar idea in slightly different words, intensifying the meaning and emphasizing the deliberate, vocal nature of the vows. This is further strengthened by **Repetition** of the concept of speaking, which underscores the sincerity and binding quality of the psalmist's commitment. The verse also functions as a form of **Personal Testimony**, as the psalmist recounts a specific, intimate experience of crying out to God in distress and making a promise. This personal reflection invites the reader to connect with the psalmist's journey from affliction to faithful thanksgiving.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 66:14 deeply resonates with the biblical emphasis on the integrity of one's word before God. It highlights that promises made in desperation are not to be forgotten in times of blessing. The theological implication is that God is faithful to hear and deliver, and in response, humanity is called to be faithful in fulfilling its commitments. This dynamic relationship, where human vows are met with divine deliverance, underscores God's attentiveness to the cries of His people and the importance of our responsive obedience and gratitude. The psalmist's act of fulfilling his vows is an act of worship, demonstrating trust in God's character and acknowledging His saving power.

* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Pay What You Vow")
* [Psalm 116:14](/psalms/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - I Will Pay My Vows")
* [Jonah 2:9](/jonah/2-9 "Jonah 2:9 - Salvation is of the Lord, I Will Pay My Vows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 66:14 challenges us to reflect on the nature of our own prayers and promises to God. In moments of crisis, it is natural to turn to the divine, often with fervent pleas and implicit or explicit vows. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that such commitments, made in the crucible of trouble, are not to be casually dismissed once deliverance arrives. It calls us to cultivate a life of integrity, where our words to God are honored, and our gratitude is expressed not just in sentiment but in tangible acts of faithfulness. Just as the psalmist returned to the Temple to fulfill his vows, we are invited to remember God's faithfulness in our own lives and respond with genuine thanksgiving, whether through acts of service, financial stewardship, or renewed dedication to His will. This commitment strengthens our spiritual discipline and deepens our trust in the God who hears and delivers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises or commitments have I made to God during times of personal distress or need?**
* **How diligent have I been in fulfilling those promises once God has answered my prayers or delivered me?**
* **In what ways can I more consistently demonstrate gratitude and faithfulness to God for His past and present deliverances?**
* **How does the solemnity of vows in ancient Israel inform my understanding of prayer and commitment today?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "trouble" is the psalmist referring to?**

Answer: While the specific nature of the "trouble" is not detailed in Psalm 66:14, the Hebrew word *tsarah* (צרה) implies a situation of deep distress, anguish, or affliction. This could encompass a wide range of difficulties, such as severe illness, personal danger, financial ruin, or even national calamity. The context of Psalm 66, which speaks of God bringing His people "into the net" and laying "affliction upon our loins" ([Psalm 66:11](/psalms/66-11 "Psalm 66:11 - God's Testing and Deliverance")), suggests a profound and perhaps life-threatening ordeal from which the psalmist earnestly sought divine intervention. The verse highlights the universal human experience of turning to God in moments of desperation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 66:14 speaks of a human's vow to God, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the perfect vow and obedience of Jesus Christ. Unlike humanity, who often make vows in trouble and struggle to fulfill them, Christ's entire life was a seamless offering of obedience to the Father, a perfect "vow" to accomplish God's will. He did not need to make promises in distress; rather, He willingly embraced the ultimate distress of the cross to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan. His words to the Father, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God" ([Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Hebrews 10:7 - Christ's Obedience")), encapsulate the essence of this perfect vow. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all of God's promises to humanity ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")) and, in doing so, offered the ultimate "vow" of redemption on our behalf. Our "vows" now are not to earn God's favor, but a grateful response to the One who perfectly kept His word, enabling us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")).

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

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Psalms 18:6

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

Judges 11:35

And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.

Judges 11:36

And she said unto him, My father, [if] thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, [even] of the children of Ammon.

Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Genesis 28:22

And this stone, which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Numbers 30:8

But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard [it]; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.