Psalms 56:12
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Your vows are on me, O God: I will render praises to you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Your vows are on me, O God: I will render praises to you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank-offerings unto thee.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
I keep the memory of my debt to you, O God; I will give you the offerings of praise.
Webster's Revision
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises to thee.
World English Bible
Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render thank offerings unto thee.
Clarke's Psalms 56:12 Bible Commentary
Thy vows are upon me - I have promised in the most solemn manner to be thy servant; to give my whole life to thee; and to offer for my preservation sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.
Reader, what hast thou vowed to God? To renounce the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful desires of the flesh; to keep God's holy word and commandment, and to walk before him all the days of thy life. These things hast thou vowed; and these vows are upon thee. Wilt thou pay them?
Barnes's Psalms 56:12 Bible Commentary
Thy vows are upon me, O God - The word "vow" means something promised; some obligation under which we have voluntarily brought ourselves. It differs from duty, or obligation in general, since that is the result of the divine command, while this is an obligation arising from the fact that we have "voluntarily" taken it upon ourselves. The extent of this obligation, therefore, is measured by the nature of the promise or vow which we have made; and God will hold us responsible for carrying out our vows. Such voluntary obligations or vows were allowable, as an expression of thanksgiving, or as a means of exciting to a more strict religious service, under the Mosaic dispensation Genesis 28:20; Numbers 6:2; Numbers 30:2-3; Deuteronomy 23:21; 1 Samuel 1:11; and they cannot be wrong under any dispensation. They are not of the nature of "merit," or works of supererogation, but they are
(a) a "means" of bringing the obligations of religion to bear upon us more decidedly, and
(b) a proper expression of gratitude.
Such vows are those which all persons take upon themselves when they make a profession of religion; and when such a profession of religion is made, it should be a constant reflection on our part, that "the vows of God are upon us," or that we have voluntarily consecrated all that we have to God. David had made such a vow
(a) in his general purpose to lead a religious life;
(b) very probably in some specific act or promise that he would devote himself to God if he would deliver him, or as an expression of his gratitude for deliverance. Compare the notes at Acts 18:18; notes at Acts 21:23-24.
I will render praises unto thee - literally, "I will recompense praises unto thee;" that is, I will "pay" what I have vowed, or I will faithfully perform my vows.
Wesley's Psalms 56:12 Bible Commentary
56:12 Thy vows - I had made vows to express my gratitude, and resolve to perform them.