Psalms 116:18 — Word Study
WLCנְ֭דָרַי לַיהוָ֣ה אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם נֶגְדָה־ נָּ֝֗א לְכָל־ עַמּֽוֹ׃
BSAI will fulfillshâlam▸ [pay, complete] my vowsneder [promises, solemn oaths] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] in the presenceneged [before, in front of] of allkôl [everything, every person] His peopleʻam [nation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נְ֭דָרַי | vows my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לַיהוָ֣ה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם | I will pay | Verb, Piel, imperfect first person common singular |
| נֶגְדָה־ | before | Suffix |
| נָּ֝֗א | please | Particle |
| לְכָל־ | all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| עַמּֽוֹ׃ | people his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, |
| KJV | I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, |
| ASV | I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people, |
| YLT | My vows to Jehovah let me complete, I pray you, before all His people, |
| WEB | I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people, |
| BBE | I will make the offerings of my oath, even before all his people; |
Translations agree on the intent to fulfill vows, with no significant variation in the rendering of key terms.
The sentence has one main clause with additional phrases that clarify the action and its public nature.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁלֵם
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 116:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Commitment to the LORDgenerated
Psalm 116:18 expresses the psalmist's determination to fulfill his vows to the LORD, showcasing a personal commitment that is made publicly among the people of Israel. This verse emphasizes the importance of keeping promises made to God, as reflected in the previous verses where the psalmist acknowledges God's deliverance and expresses gratitude.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 116:14 | I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. |
| 2 | Psalm 22:25 | My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You. |
| 3 | Psalm 76:11 | Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 5:5 | It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְ֭דָרַי, Ne.da.raigenerated
The noun נֶ֫דֶר (neder) means 'vow' and refers to a promise made to God. It can also denote a specific thing that has been promised, such as an offering. The word is derived from a root associated with making a promise, appearing in contexts involving commitments or votive offerings.
In this verse, נְ֭דָרַי is in the construct form, indicating that the vows belong to the speaker. The plural form signifies multiple promises, reflecting the seriousness and depth of the psalmist's commitment to fulfill them.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses fulfill for the Hebrew word אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם, I will pay, governs the main clause, indicating the speaker's future action. The structure includes a noun phrase for the object (my vows) and several prepositional phrases that specify the direction of the action (to the LORD, before all His people).
The prepositional phrases emphasize the public nature of the vow fulfillment, highlighting the communal aspect of the speaker's commitment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נְ֭דָרַי as μου (mou), meaning 'my'. This choice reflects a personal ownership of the vows, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.
The Greek word ἀποδώσω (apodōsō) for אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם indicates a commitment to repay or fulfill, maintaining the sense of obligation found in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 116:18 expresses the psalmist's commitment to fulfill his vows to the LORD in front of all His people. This shows the importance of keeping promises made to God and the public acknowledgment of such commitments.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Fulfilling vows to the LORD means carrying out promises made to God, which can include offerings or commitments to serve Him.
Doing this in front of His people emphasizes accountability and the communal aspect of faith, showing that one's commitment to God is not just personal but also a witness to others.
Vows can range from promises of service, offerings, or commitments to live in a certain way, often made during times of distress or gratitude.
This verse relates to thanksgiving as it follows the psalmist's expressions of gratitude for God's deliverance, linking the fulfillment of vows with a heart of thankfulness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What vows have I made to God, and how can I ensure I fulfill them?
- Why is it important to publicly acknowledge commitments made to God?
- How can I encourage others in my community to keep their promises to God?
- In what ways can I express my gratitude to God for His faithfulness in my life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss the importance of fulfilling vows to God and the nature of true commitment.
"I will pay my vows unto the Lord" [Psalms 116:18]. What vows will you pay? What victims have you vowed? What burnt-offerings,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 116 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 116:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will pay my vows unto the Lord,.... [See comments on Psalms 116:14].
Read John Gill on Psalms 116 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, I will pay my vows ... - (cf. Psalms 116:14.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 116 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAnd as I said before, so I now repeat my promise, for the greater assurance, and to lay the stricter obligation upon myself.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 116 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 116:18 I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,Ver. 18. I will pay] See Psalms 116:14. Now] Vows were to be paid without either diminution or delays, Deuteronomy 23:21; Deuteronomy 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, Ezekiel 46:10, the king’ s seat in the sanctuary was open, that all might see him there, 2 Kings 11:14; 2 Kings 23:3.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 116 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. As in Psalms 22:25 stress is laid upon the public confession of gratitude. Cp. Psalms 66:13.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 116 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will pay my vows ... - See Psalms 116:14.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 116 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17, 18. These verses clearly show that the occasion of the psalm was one of public thanksgiving and sacrifice after a great deliverance.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 116 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,
I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord before all his people,
Tyndale line
I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people,
I will pay my vows unto the LORD, yea, in the presence of all his people.
I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all his people,
I will pay my vowes vnto the Lord, euen nowe in the presence of all his people,
Strictly literal
I will perform my vows unto Jehovah, yea, before all his people,
My vows to Jehovah let me complete, I pray you, before all His people,
Let me complete my vows to YHWH, || Now, before all His people,
My vows will I pay unto the Lord, yea, in the presence of all his people,
I will fulfill my vows to Yahweh in the presence of all his people,
Simplified
I will keep my promises to the Lord so everyone can see,
I will make the offerings of my oath, even before all his people;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree, with six out of seven words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some damage, with two words intact and five restored by an editor, indicating a strong textual consistency.
נְ֭דָרַי לַיהוָ֣ה אֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם נֶגְדָה־ נָּ֝֗א לְכָל־ עַמּֽוֹ׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[נדר׳י] [ליהוה] אשלם [נגד׳ה] [נא] [לכל] עמ׳ו
2 words on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 116:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נֶ֫דֶר (neder) means 'vow' and refers to a promise made to God. It can also denote a specific thing that has been promised. The word is derived from a root associated with making a promise, and it appears in contexts involving commitments or votive offerings.
נֶ֫דֶר, נֵ֫דֶר n.m. vow
base
H5088 נֶ֫דֶר, נֵ֫דֶר vow
5088 neder neh'-der
or neder {nay'-der}; from 5087; a promise (to God); also
(concretely) a thing promised:--vow((-ed)).
see HEBREW for 05087
נֶ֫דֶר (ne.der) — vow.
vow, votive offering
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
שָׁלֵם (shalam) is a Hebrew root meaning to be complete or sound, covering a range of meanings from finishing or restoring to making peace. It can refer to being uninjured, completing a task, or making recompense. The verb also has a denominative form indicating a covenant of peace, suggesting relationships of harmony and safety.
[שָׁלֵם] 103 vb. be complete, sound
Qal
be complete, finished, ended
be sound, uninjured
Pi.
complete, finish, temple
make safe
make whole or good, restore
make good, i.e. pay, vows
requite, recompense, reward
Pu.
be performed, of vow
be repaid, requited
Hiph.
complete, perform
make an end of
base
[שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace
Qal be at peace
Pu. Pt. one in covt. of peace
Hiph.
make peace with
cause to be at peace
Hoph. live at peace with
base
H7999a שָׁלֵם be complete, sound .. be complete, finished, ended
. be sound, uninjured
. . complete, finish, temple
. make safe
. make whole or good, restore
. make good, i.e. pay, vows
. requite, recompense, reward
. . be performed, of vow
. be repaid, requited
. . complete, perform
. make an end of
H7999b [שָׁלַם] vb. denom. be in covenant of peace .be at peace
. Pt. one in covt. of peace
. . make peace with
. cause to be at peace
. live at peace with
7999 shalam shaw-lam'
a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate);
figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by
implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in
various applications):--make amends, (make an) end, finish,
full, give again, make good, (re-)pay (again), (make) (to) (be
at) peace(-able), that is perfect, perform, (make)
prosper(-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution,
restore, reward, X surely.
שָׁלֵם (sa.lem) — to complete.
1) to be complete, be sound
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be complete, be finished, be ended
1a2) to be sound, be uninjured
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to complete, finish
1b2) to make safe
1b3) to make whole or good, restore, make compensation
1b4) to make good, pay
1b5) to requite, recompense, reward
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be performed
1c2) to be repaid, be requited
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to complete, perform
1d2) to make an end of
Aramaic equivalent: she.lam (שְׁלֵם "be complete" H8000)
שָׁלַם (sha.lam) — to ally.
1) to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be at peace
1a2) peaceful one (participle)
1b) (Pual) one in covenant of peace (participle)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make peace with
1c2) to cause to be at peace
1d) (Hophal) to live in peace
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common singularHVpi1cs
נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.
נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
base
H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
5048 neged neh'-ghed
from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a
counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with
preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,
X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,
sight, X to view.
see HEBREW for 05046
נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.
subst
1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
adv
2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
3) in front of oneself, straightforward
4) before your face, in your view or purpose
with prep
5) what is in front of, corresponding to
6) in front of, before
7) in the sight or presence of
8) parallel to
9) over, for
10) in front, opposite
11) at a distance
prep
12) from the front of, away from
13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
14) from before, in front of
15) as far as the front of
Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Prep | Suff — SuffixHAcmsa/Sd
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
HTj — ParticleHTj
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
