John Calvin Commentary Psalms 116:14

"I will pay my vows unto Jehovah, Yea, in the presence of all his people." — Psalms 116:14 (ASV)

I will pay my vows to Jehovah. The steadfastness of his piety shines forth in this: that, in the midst of his dangers, he had vowed to God. And now he proves that he by no means forgot these engagements, as most people do, who, when the hand of God weighs heavily on them, implore His help for a short time, but soon bury in oblivion the deliverance they have received.

The Holy Spirit, speaking of the true worship of God, very properly connects, by an indissoluble bond, these two parts of worship: Call upon me in the day of trouble; and, after thy deliverance glorify me (Psalms 50:15). If any regard it as an absurdity for the faithful to enter into covenant with God by making vows to Him to procure His approval, my reply is that they do not promise the sacrifice of praise to soothe Him with their flatteries, as if He were a mortal like themselves, or to bind Him to them by proposing some reward, for David had previously protested that he would not offer any recompense.

The design, then, and the use of vows is, first, that the children of God may have their hearts strengthened with the confidence of obtaining whatever they ask; and, secondly, that they may be further stimulated to offer up their tribute of gratitude to God for His mercies. To aid the children of God in their weakness, the privilege of vowing may surely be conceded to them, for by this means their most merciful Father condescends to allow them to enter into familiar converse with Him, provided they make their vows for the purpose I have stated.

Whatever happens, nothing must be attempted without His permission. Hence the Papists appear all the more ridiculous, who, under the pretext of what is put forward here, defend all sorts of vows, however foolish, absurd, and rashly made; as if drunkenness were lawful because God permits us to eat.