Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 50:14

"Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High:" — Psalms 50:14 (ASV)

Offer to God thanksgiving — The word translated “offer” in this place — זבח zâbach — properly means “sacrifice.” So it is translated by the Septuagint, θῦσον thuson — and by the Vulgate, “immola.” The word is used, doubtless, intentionally — to show what was the “kind” of sacrifice with which God would be pleased, and which he would approve. It was not the mere “sacrifice” of animals, as they commonly understood the term; it was not the mere presentation of the bodies and the blood of slain beasts; it was an offering that proceeded from the heart, and which was expressive of gratitude and praise.

This is not to be understood as implying that God did not require or approve of the offering of bloody sacrifices, but as implying that a higher sacrifice was necessary; that these would be vain and worthless unless they were accompanied with the offerings of the heart; and that his worship, even amidst outward forms, was to be a spiritual worship.

And pay your vows to the Most High — To the true God, the most exalted Being in the universe. The word “vows” here — נדר neder — properly means a vow or promise, and then, a thing vowed: a votive offering, a sacrifice. The idea seems to be that the true understanding of the sacrifices which were prescribed and required was that they were to be regarded as expressions of internal feelings and purposes; of penitence; of a deep sense of sin; of gratitude and love. Furthermore, the design of such sacrifices was not fulfilled unless the “vows” or pious purposes implied in the very nature of sacrifices and offerings were carried out in life and conduct. They were not, therefore, to come merely with these offerings and then feel that the entire purpose of worship was accomplished. They were to carry out the true design of them by lives corresponding with the idea intended by such sacrifices — lives full of penitence, gratitude, love, obedience, submission, and devotion.

This alone could be acceptable worship. Compare the notes at Isaiah 1:11-17. See also Psalm 76:11 and Ecclesiastes 5:5.