The psalmist now offers to Yahweh the sacrifices he had promised when he was in need of Yahweh’s help. The question form of verse 12 is not a request for information; either it is a rhetorical device, designed to dramatize the psalmist’s concern, or else an interior dialogue, as the psalmist considers how best to express his thanks to the LORD. In verses 13-14 he answers his own question. The word translated render in line a is the verb normally meaning “to turn, return”; so An American Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible “How can I repay…?” The word translated bounty occurs only here in the Old Testament.

In verse 13a the cup of salvation refers to the wine offering, which was part of the ritual of thanksgiving; as Briggs says, “it expresses thanksgiving for the blessings of salvation received and enjoyed.” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible translates “the cup of victory.” In verse 13b call on the name of the LORD means, in this context, a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, not a petition for help. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “I will confess it before the assembly, and raise the goblet in order to thank him.” The expression “will bring a wine offering…” must be recast in many languages to say, for example, “I will offer the LORD a gift of wine to thank him….”

It is in public worship in the Temple (verse 14) that the psalmist offers his sacrifice to Yahweh (see comments on 22.25; 66.13). Verse 14 is repeated as verse 18; many manuscripts of the Septuagint omit verse 14.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .