Psalms 116:14

I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people - He was probably now bringing his offering to the temple. These words are repeated, Psalm 116:18.

I will pay my vows ... - I will perform or execute. The word vows here refers probably to the solemn promise which he had made in his sickness - the promise to devote himself to God, should he be restored to health. Compare the notes at Isaiah 38:15, notes at Isaiah 38:20. Such promises are commonly made in sickness, and, alas! almost as commonly disregarded and forgotten on a restoration to health. Yet such vows should be sacredly observed, for

(a) They are right and proper;

(b) they are made in most solemn circumstances;

(c) they are usually sincere;

(d) they are of the nature of a covenant with God;

(e) they are made when we are in the best position to take just views of life - of this life, and of the life to come;

(f) the subsequent life would be happier and better if they were faithfully carried out.

Compare Psalm 22:25, note; Psalm 66:13-14, notes.

In the presence of all his people - Publicly. The vows were made in private; on the sick bed; when alone; in the silence of the night-watches; when no eye was upon him who made them but the eye of God. There is a propriety, however, that the expression of thanksgiving should be public. Compare Isaiah 38:20. Indeed, nothing is more proper than public thanks for a restoration from sickness; and as in our public assemblies prayer is often specially offered for the sick at their own request, so it would be equally proper that, at their request, public thanks should be rendered for their recovery.