Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "to him who is to be feared" isn't just about acknowledging God's power, but a call for all nations to submit to Him. After witnessing His judgment, they're not just to be scared, but to offer homage, recognizing His supreme authority over all kings and earthly powers.
Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm celebrates a miraculous divine intervention, likely the defeat of a massive enemy army that threatened Jerusalem. The preceding verses vividly describe how God single-handedly routed the invaders, leaving them utterly destroyed. This verse then turns to the aftermath, calling for both the people of Israel and surrounding nations to recognize God's awesome power and respond accordingly.
Has God ever delivered you from a sticky situation? Did you ever feel so relieved you promised Him you'd do better, be more faithful, or give back in some way?
Making Commitments to God
The verse starts with a powerful command: "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God." This isn't just about remembering a promise; it's about making intentional commitments to God, especially after experiencing His intervention.
This call to vow and pay is rooted in gratitude and recognition of God's power. It’s saying, 'You showed up for me, so I'm showing up for You.'
The psalm calls those 'all around' to bring gifts to God. What does it mean to bring gifts to someone so mighty, someone who is to be feared?
Responding to God's Majesty
The second part of the verse broadens the scope: "let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared." This isn't just for the people of Israel; it's for surrounding nations too.
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This command is a response to witnessing God's incredible acts of judgment and deliverance. It's an invitation for everyone to acknowledge His sovereign power and bring offerings that reflect that recognition.
The psalm connects God's presence ('round about him') with specific actions of vows and gifts. What does His presence require of us?
The Implication of God's Proximity
Psalm 76 centers on God's powerful intervention from His sanctuary. The phrase 'all around him' points to the reality that God's presence, especially when powerfully displayed, elicits a response.
Understand the original words
neder · Hebrew Noun
A solemn promise or religious pledge made to God, often involving a commitment to offer a sacrifice or perform a specific service in response to His grace or deliverance. Vows in Scripture are voluntary but binding, carrying serious consequences if left unfulfilled.
shay · Hebrew Noun
A general term for a present, offering, or tribute brought as an act of worship, homage, or propitiation. In a biblical context, gifts often signify recognition of God's sovereignty and a desire to honor His authority.
yare' · Hebrew Verb
A state of reverential awe, trembling, and profound respect before the majesty and holiness of God. It is the appropriate response of a creature toward the Creator, acknowledging His supreme power, justice, and absolute authority.
This psalm likely celebrates the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib's Assyrian army. The call to 'vow and pay' and for surrounding nations to 'bring presents' directly reflects the aftermath of this divine intervention, where Judah's survival and the awe of surrounding peoples were powerfully demonstrated.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
The powerful Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah, conquering many fortified cities and threatening Jerusalem.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Defeat
An unexplained catastrophe strikes the Assyrian army camped outside Jerusalem, leading to a miraculous and sudden withdrawal of Sennacherib's forces.
After 701 BC
Tribute and Homage to Jerusalem
Following the Assyrian defeat, surrounding nations bring tribute and gifts to Jerusalem, recognizing the power of the God of Israel.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins deporting Jewish people and treasures to Babylon, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to a second, larger deportation and the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
This passage directly instructs the people of Israel to be diligent in fulfilling their vows made to God, echoing the command in Psalms 76:11 to 'make your vows and perform them.'
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua exhorts the Israelites to pledge their allegiance and service to God alone, which aligns with the call to make vows and bring offerings as an act of worship and commitment in Psalms 76:11.
2 Chronicles 32:22-23This passage describes King Hezekiah and the princes bringing offerings and tribute to Jerusalem after God's deliverance from the Assyrians, illustrating the response of surrounding peoples and the people of God to a mighty act of salvation, as depicted in Psalms 76:11.
Proverbs 3:9-10This proverb speaks about honoring the Lord with our wealth and possessions, which is conceptually linked to the idea of bringing gifts and tributes to God as a sign of reverence and gratitude, as commanded in Psalms 76:11.
clarkePsalms 76:11: "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared."
Vow, and pay unto the Lord - Bind yourselves to him, and forget not your obligations. Let all that be round about him - All the neighboring nations, who shall see God's judgments against his enemies, should Bring presents unto him - Give him that homage which is due unto him. That ought to be feared - למורא lammora, "to the terrible One;" lest they be consumed a…
poolePsalms 76:11: "Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared."
Vow a sacrifice of thanksgiving; either at this time, for this wonderful deliverance; or hereafter, in all your future straits and troubles. Let this experience encourage you to make such vows to God with confidence of success. But when God hath accepted your vows, and given you the desired deliverance, forget not to pay your vows. All that be round about him; ei…
The phrase "to him who is to be feared" isn't just about acknowledging God's power, but a call for all nations to submit to Him. After witnessing His judgment, they're not just to be scared, but to offer homage, recognizing His supreme authority over all kings and earthly powers.
This psalm celebrates a miraculous divine intervention, likely the defeat of a massive enemy army that threatened Jerusalem. The preceding verses vividly describe how God single-handedly routed the invaders, leaving them utterly destroyed. This verse then turns to the aftermath, calling for both the people of Israel and surrounding nations to recognize God's awesome power and respond accordingly.
This psalm celebrates a miraculous divine intervention, likely the defeat of a massive enemy army that threatened Jerusalem. The preceding verses vividly describe how God single-handedly routed the invaders, leaving them utterly destroyed. This verse then turns to the aftermath, calling for both the people of Israel and surrounding nations to recognize God's awesome power and respond accordingly.
"Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared," — The phrase "to him who is to be feared" isn't just about acknowledging God's power, but a call for all nations to submit to Him. After witnessing His judgment, they're not just to be scared, but to o…
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Last reviewed October 2026