◄ Psalm 66:13 ►
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You--
Study Bible
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings;
This phrase reflects the practice of offering sacrifices in the temple, which was central to worship in ancient Israel. The "house" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the designated place for sacrifices and worship. Burnt offerings were a type of sacrifice where the entire animal was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion to God. This practice is outlined in Leviticus 1 and was a way for the Israelites to atone for sin and express gratitude. The act of entering God's house with offerings signifies a deliberate approach to worship and a desire to honor God according to His commandments.

I will fulfill my vows to You—
Vows in the biblical context were solemn promises made to God, often in times of distress or need, with the intention of fulfilling them once God answered prayer or provided deliverance. The fulfillment of vows was a serious matter, as seen in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, which warns against making vows lightly. This phrase indicates a commitment to integrity and faithfulness in one's relationship with God. It also reflects the psalmist's gratitude and acknowledgment of God's faithfulness in answering prayer. The act of fulfilling vows is a demonstration of trust and reverence for God, aligning with the broader biblical theme of covenant faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of the psalm, traditionally attributed to David, who expresses a personal commitment to worship and fulfill vows to God.

2. God's House
Refers to the temple or place of worship where offerings and vows are made to God.

3. Burnt Offerings
Sacrifices made to God as an act of worship and atonement, symbolizing complete dedication.

4. Vows
Promises made to God, often in times of distress, which the psalmist intends to fulfill as an act of gratitude and obedience.

5. Worship
The act of reverence and adoration towards God, central to the psalmist's expression of faith.
Teaching Points
Commitment to Worship
The psalmist's intention to enter God's house with offerings underscores the importance of regular, intentional worship in the life of a believer.

Fulfillment of Vows
Making and keeping vows to God is a serious matter, reflecting our integrity and faithfulness. Believers should be mindful of their promises to God and strive to fulfill them.

Symbolism of Burnt Offerings
While physical sacrifices are no longer required, the principle of offering our lives wholly to God remains. This calls for a life of complete dedication and surrender.

Gratitude and Obedience
The psalmist's actions are motivated by gratitude for God's deliverance and blessings. Our worship and service should similarly flow from a heart of thankfulness.

Community Worship
Entering God's house implies a communal aspect of worship, reminding us of the importance of gathering with other believers to honor God together.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of burnt offerings in the Old Testament relate to the idea of living sacrifices in the New Testament?

2. What are some modern-day equivalents of vows we might make to God, and how can we ensure we fulfill them?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate complete dedication to God in our daily lives, similar to the symbolism of burnt offerings?

4. How does gathering with other believers enhance our worship experience and commitment to God?

5. Reflect on a time when you made a promise to God. How did fulfilling or not fulfilling that promise impact your relationship with Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 1
Describes the regulations for burnt offerings, highlighting their significance in worship and atonement.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Discusses the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, emphasizing the seriousness of such commitments.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the concept of burnt offerings as total dedication to God.

Hebrews 13:15-16
Speaks of offering sacrifices of praise and doing good, connecting the idea of offerings to New Testament worship.
Sermons
God in HistoryW. Forsyth Psalm 66:1-20
ProvidenceJ. Stalker, D. D.Psalm 66:1-20
WorshipHomilistPsalm 66:1-20
Religious IndividualismHomilistPsalm 66:13-15
Religious Vows a Help to GodlinessPsalm 66:13-15
Vows Fulfilled and Experiences RelatedC. Short Psalm 66:13-20
People
Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Complete, Debt, Enter, Fulfill, Offerings, Pay, Payment, Perform, Temple, Vows
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 66:13

     7322   burnt offering

Psalm 66:13-14

     5741   vows
     7476   thank-offering

Psalm 66:13-15

     4651   goat

Library
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

But, after that He had Made Mention of These Evils...
30. But, after that he had made mention of these evils, he added and said, "On account of which cometh the wrath of God on the sons of unbelief." [1923] Surely it was a wholesome alarm that believers might not think that they could be saved on account of their faith alone, even although they should live in these evils: the Apostle James with most clear speech crying out against that notion, and saying, "If any say that he have faith, and have not works, shall his faith be able to save him?" [1924] …
St. Augustine—On Continence

The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Shewing Wherein all Saving Grace Does Summarily Consist"
The next thing that arises for consideration is, What is the nature of this Divine principle in the soul that is so entirely diverse from all that is naturally in the soul? Here I would observe,-- 1. That that saving grace that is in the hearts if the saints, that within them [which is] above nature, and entirely distinguishes 'em from all unconverted men, is radically but one -- i.e., however various its exercises are, yet it is but one in its root; 'tis one individual principle in the heart. 'Tis …
Jonathan Edwards—Treatise on Grace

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath Day and Defends his Act.
(at Feast-Time at Jerusalem, Probably the Passover.) ^D John V. 1-47. ^d 1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [Though every feast in the Jewish calendar has found some one to advocate its claim to be this unnamed feast, yet the vast majority of commentators choose either the feast of Purim, which came in March, or the Passover, which came in April. Older commentators pretty unanimously regarded it as the Passover, while the later school favor the feast …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Why all Things Work for Good
1. The grand reason why all things work for good, is the near and dear interest which God has in His people. The Lord has made a covenant with them. "They shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. xxxii. 38). By virtue of this compact, all things do, and must work, for good to them. "I am God, even thy God" (Psalm l. 7). This word, Thy God,' is the sweetest word in the Bible, it implies the best relations; and it is impossible there should be these relations between God and His people, and …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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