Psalm 56:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you.

NIV: I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

NASB: Your vows are binding upon me, God; I will render thanksgiving offerings to You.

CSB: I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thanksgiving sacrifices to you.

NLT: I will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.

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

NKJV: Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,

David looked forward to offering praise and appreciation to the Lord. This anticipation was based on trust: fully believing God would protect David from his enemies (Psalm 56:1; 1 Samuel 21:10–15) and restore him to Jerusalem. There, he could worship again and give all credit to the Lord.

Thanksgiving offerings are described in Leviticus 7:11–18. A portion of the worshiper's thanksgiving offering became a meal for him and his family. Gratitude should be an essential part of the believer's worship today. In Philippians 4:6 believers are admonished to overcome anxiety by praying and pleading in everything. The thought is to put the weight of our concerns fully on the Lord, yet the verse instructs believers to do this with thanksgiving. The believer who carefully recalls God's goodness to him in the past realizes that he has nothing to worry about. God who took care of him in the past will take care of him today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:5–6). Remembering God's goodness with thanksgiving is a reliable way to enjoy His peace (Philippians 4:7).

Psalm 56:12–13 provides a fitting conclusion, as David met fear with faith. He has described his perilous situation in Gath, a Philistine city (1 Samuel 21:10–15) yet remained confident that God would protect him. Based on that faith, David anticipates giving offerings to God with praise and gratitude (1 Chronicles 29:10–13).

David prays for God's protection as he is "oppressed" and "trampled" by his enemies. This refers to his experience in enemy territory near the city of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10–15). Despite natural fear, David chooses to trust in God. He knows the Lord will bring judgment to evil people, and that God sees everything which David has experienced. David resolves to praise the Lord once this danger has passed.

When David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 19:1–2, 18; 22:17–19), he was forced to enter enemy territory: the land of the Philistines. When he was recognized, David was captured but pretended to be insane (1 Samuel 21:10–15). This psalm reflects his prayer for safety while subject to these dangers.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/7/2024 4:13:09 AM