What does Psalm 66:14 mean?

Scripture doesn't tell us exactly who recorded this psalm. Nor do we know the nature of this psalmist's "trouble." He has already declared his intention to make an offering to the Lord while also fulfilling his vows (Psalm 66:13). Here, it seems that those vows were made when the psalmist was under some threat or other stress. Rather than shrugging off his vows as insincere, the writer intends to honor his commitments to the Lord.

Scripture doesn't forbid making vows, but it discourages vows from being made casually (Numbers 30:2; Proverbs 20:25). A promise made to God should always be kept (Deuteronomy 23:21–23). Failure to honor promises to God is tantamount to lying to Him. Jesus advocated against making spontaneous vows at all (Matthew 5:33–37).