Psalms 108:3

KJV

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will praise {H3034} thee, O LORD {H3068}, among the people {H5971}: and I will sing praises {H2167} unto thee among the nations {H3816}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will thank you, ADONAI, among the peoples; I will make music to you among the nations.

Berean Standard Bible

I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

American Standard Version

I will give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah, among the peoples; And I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 108:3 is a fervent and intentional declaration by the psalmist, traditionally King David, expressing a profound commitment to public worship. It articulates a dual vision: to praise the LORD not only within the immediate community of "the people" (Israel) but also to extend this adoration globally "among the nations." This verse serves as a personal vow, anticipating the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate worldwide recognition of His glory and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 108 is unique in the Psalter as a "composite psalm," largely constructed from excerpts of two earlier psalms attributed to David: the initial verses (1-5, which include our focal verse) are drawn from [Psalm 57:7-11](/psalms/57-7-11 "Psalm 57:7-11 - David's Steadfast Heart and Praise"), and the latter portion (6-13) from [Psalm 60:5-12](/psalms/60-5-12 "Psalm 60:5-12 - A Prayer for Victory and Deliverance"). This strategic compilation creates a cohesive prayer for victory and a declaration of trust, beginning with an unwavering commitment to praise. Verse 3 immediately follows a declaration of a "fixed" or "steadfast" heart (Psalm 108:1-2), indicating that the psalmist's vow of praise is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated resolve. This steadfastness sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the greatness of God's mercy and truth extending to the heavens (Psalm 108:4), providing the divine motivation for such expansive praise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to David, this psalm reflects the context of a king leading his people in both worship and warfare. In ancient Israel, the king often served as a spiritual leader, embodying the nation's relationship with God and leading them in communal expressions of faith. David's vow to praise "among the people" would resonate deeply with the communal worship practices of Israel, which frequently involved public assemblies, sacrifices, and musical celebrations at the Tabernacle or later, the Temple. His ambition to praise "among the nations" reflects a prophetic understanding of Israel's unique role as a chosen people, not merely for their own sake, but to be a light to the Gentiles, a concept found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Nations")). This vision transcends immediate national concerns, hinting at a universal outreach of God's glory that would ultimately be fulfilled through the Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Public Worship and Witness**, emphasizing that devotion to God is not solely a private affair but a visible testimony intended to impact both the immediate community and the wider world. Secondly, it underscores the **Global Reach of God's Glory**, foreshadowing the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, where His praise will ultimately extend to all peoples, a theme profoundly developed in the New Testament's call to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"). Lastly, it embodies a **Solemn Vow of Praise**, indicating a deliberate, unwavering, and active commitment to glorify God, regardless of circumstances. This reflects a heart steadfastly fixed on Him, as articulated in the source psalm, [Psalm 57:7](/psalms/57-7 "Psalm 57:7 - David's Steadfast Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** This primitive root (H3034) literally means "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand," and is used to describe physically throwing or casting away. However, its primary theological meaning, as used here, is to revere or worship with extended hands, or intensively, to give thanks or confess. It signifies an active, public declaration of gratitude and adoration, acknowledging God's character and deeds through outward expression.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (H3068), God's personal covenant name, often transliterated as Yahweh. Derived from a root meaning "to be" or "to exist," it emphasizes God's self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature. Its use here highlights God's relational and faithful character, particularly His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, Israel. By addressing Him as "LORD," the psalmist invokes the sovereign ruler to whom such universal praise is due.
* **Sing praises (Hebrew, _zâmar'_):** This primitive root (H2167) refers to touching the strings or parts of a musical instrument, making music, accompanied by the voice. It means to celebrate in song and music, to give praise, or to sing forth praises or psalms. It adds a dimension of joyful, melodious, and often communal worship to the act of praise, suggesting that the psalmist's commitment involves the full expression of celebratory adoration, engaging both voice and spirit.
* **Nations (Hebrew, _lᵉʼôm'_):** This word (H3816) derives from an unused root meaning "to gather" and refers to a community or people, specifically "nations" or "peoples" outside of Israel. Its inclusion here expands the scope of the psalmist's praise beyond the immediate covenant community, indicating a prophetic vision for God's glory to be known and celebrated by all humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will praise thee, O LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes a deeply personal and intentional commitment. The "I will" signifies a resolute vow, a conscious decision by the psalmist to engage in worship. The direct address "O LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) highlights the personal, covenantal relationship between the worshiper and God, emphasizing that this praise is directed to the one true God, the sovereign and faithful deliverer.
* **"among the people:"**: This phrase specifies the immediate audience for the psalmist's praise. "The people" (H5971, _ʻam_) primarily refers to Israel, the covenant community. It indicates that the psalmist's worship is not a private, solitary act but a public, communal testimony, intended to encourage and edify fellow believers within the nation. It underscores the importance of corporate worship and shared faith within the chosen community.
* **"and I will sing praises unto thee"**: This clause reiterates and intensifies the commitment to worship. The repetition of the resolute "I will" underscores its certainty, while "sing praises" (H2167, _zâmar_) adds the element of musical, celebratory, and joyful adoration. It suggests a full-hearted expression of devotion, engaging both mind and emotion in glorifying God through song.
* **"among the nations."**: This concluding phrase expands the scope of the psalmist's praise exponentially. "The nations" (H3816, _lᵉʼôm_) refers to the Gentile peoples, those outside the covenant community of Israel. This is a prophetic and universal vision, expressing a desire for God's glory to be known and celebrated across the entire earth, anticipating the worldwide spread of His truth and the ultimate ingathering of all peoples into His kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 108:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous and climactic parallelism. The phrases "I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people" and "I will sing praises unto thee among the nations" are structurally similar and convey a similar core message of worship. However, the second clause expands and elevates the scope, moving from "the people" (Israel) to "the nations" (Gentiles), thus creating a **Climax**. This progression from the particular to the universal underscores the expansive nature of God's glory and the psalmist's vision for its recognition. The verse also functions as a **Vow or Declaration**, a solemn promise made by the psalmist to God, highlighting the intentionality and unwavering commitment inherent in true worship. Furthermore, it contains an element of **Anticipation or Foreshadowing**, as David's desire for global praise clearly anticipates the New Testament's fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ, where the Gospel is indeed proclaimed to all nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 108:3 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's glory and the universal scope of His redemptive plan. It reveals a God whose character and deeds are so magnificent that His praise cannot be confined to one people or one place, but naturally overflows to encompass all humanity. This verse reflects the biblical truth that all creation is called to worship its Creator, and that Israel's unique election was always intended to be a conduit for God's blessing and revelation to the entire world. It establishes a foundational principle for mission, demonstrating that the ultimate goal of God's work is for His name to be glorified among every tribe, tongue, and nation, a vision that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [Psalm 57:9](/psalms/57-9 "Psalm 57:9 - David's Vow to Praise Among Nations")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Nations")
* [Romans 15:9](/romans/15-9 "Romans 15:9 - Gentiles Glorify God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 108:3 challenges believers today to consider the breadth and depth of their worship. It moves us beyond a purely private devotion, urging us to embrace a public and global dimension of praise. Our lives, words, and actions should serve as a visible testimony to God's goodness and greatness within our immediate spheres of influence—our families, workplaces, and communities. Furthermore, this verse ignites a passion for global missions, reminding us that God's desire is for His praise to extend "among the nations." This calls us to actively support and participate in spreading the Gospel worldwide, whether through prayer, giving, or going. Just as David made a deliberate vow, we are called to intentionally and consistently praise God, not only in times of blessing but in all circumstances, recognizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. Our worship, therefore, becomes an act of witness, a declaration of God's worthiness to a world in desperate need of His truth and the hope found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways can my personal worship become a more public and visible witness to God's goodness in my daily life?**
* **How am I currently contributing to or participating in God's praise extending "among the nations"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to be more intentional and consistent in my praise of the LORD, regardless of my circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why is Psalm 108 a compilation of other psalms, and what does this tell us about its message?**

Answer: Psalm 108 is a unique "composite psalm," with its first five verses drawn from [Psalm 57:7-11](/psalms/57-7-11 "Psalm 57:7-11 - David's Steadfast Heart and Praise") and the latter part (6-13) from [Psalm 60:5-12](/psalms/60-5-12 "Psalm 60:5-12 - A Prayer for Victory and Deliverance"). This compilation is not a sign of literary laziness but a deliberate theological and liturgical choice. It suggests that the themes of steadfast trust in God (from Psalm 57) and fervent prayer for victory in the face of national distress (from Psalm 60) are intrinsically linked. By combining these, the psalmist creates a powerful declaration of unwavering confidence in God's ability to deliver, even amidst challenges, which then naturally overflows into a commitment to universal praise. It shows that praise is not just for times of triumph, but a foundational response to God's character, even when petitioning for future victory.

**What is the significance of the distinction between "among the people" and "among the nations" in this verse?**

Answer: The distinction between "among the people" (referring to Israel, God's covenant nation) and "among the nations" (referring to the Gentiles, all other peoples) is highly significant. It highlights a dual scope for God's praise. "Among the people" emphasizes the importance of corporate worship within the believing community, where believers mutually encourage and edify one another by publicly declaring God's greatness. "Among the nations" expands this vision exponentially, reflecting God's ultimate desire for His glory to be known and celebrated by all humanity. This prophetic outlook anticipates the universal reach of the Gospel, where people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will eventually worship God, as prophesied in the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "Isaiah 2:2-4 - The Mountain of the Lord's House")) and fulfilled in the New Testament (e.g., [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 108:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David, as king, expressed a desire for God's praise to extend universally, it is through Christ that this vision becomes a tangible reality. Jesus Himself lived a life of perfect praise and obedience to the Father, publicly declaring God's truth "among the people" of Israel. More significantly, His death, resurrection, and ascension paved the way for God's praise to truly extend "among the nations." The Great Commission, given by Christ to His disciples, explicitly commands them to "go therefore and [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost empowered believers to be [witnesses to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witness to the Ends of the Earth"), transcending cultural and linguistic barriers to proclaim the Gospel. Thus, the church, as the body of Christ, continues to fulfill this ancient Davidic vow, gathering believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language, who will one day stand before the throne and [the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Multitude from Every Nation Worshipping God"). In Christ, God's praise is not merely desired but is actively being realized globally, culminating in the eternal worship of a redeemed humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:27

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Psalms 22:22

¶ I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Psalms 117:1

¶ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

Zephaniah 3:14

¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

Zephaniah 3:20

At that time will I bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Psalms 96:10

¶ Say among the heathen [that] the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Psalms 138:4

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.