Psalms 109:30

KJV

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will greatly {H3966} praise {H3034} the LORD {H3068} with my mouth {H6310}; yea, I will praise {H1984} him among {H8432} the multitude {H7227}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will eagerly thank ADONAI with my mouth, I will praise him right there in the crowd,

Berean Standard Bible

With my mouth I will thank the LORD profusely; I will praise Him in the presence of many.

American Standard Version

I will give great thanks unto Jehovah with my mouth; Yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 109:30 presents a powerful declaration of the psalmist's unwavering commitment to offer fervent and public praise to the LORD. This profound resolve emerges dramatically from the depths of a lament psalm characterized by intense anguish and imprecatory prayers against adversaries. It signifies a pivotal and faith-filled shift from desperate petition to confident anticipation of divine vindication and deliverance, underscoring a resilient trust in God's faithfulness even before its full manifestation, culminating in a communal testimony to His goodness and righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 109 is one of the most intense and poignant imprecatory psalms in the Psalter, predominantly a psalm of lament. The preceding verses (109:1-29) are saturated with the psalmist's cries for divine intervention against malicious enemies who have relentlessly slandered, persecuted, and falsely accused him. He meticulously details their wickedness and appeals to God for justice, even invoking severe curses upon them. However, verse 30 marks a dramatic and theologically significant turning point. It is a declaration of future praise, an act of **proleptic worship** that anticipates God's certain intervention and vindication. This profound movement from deep distress and imprecation to confident praise is a hallmark characteristic of many lament psalms, powerfully demonstrating the psalmist's unwavering faith that God will hear and respond, transforming sorrow into joy and accusation into vindication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, the specific historical setting for Psalm 109 is not explicitly detailed, though it vividly reflects the common experience of persecution and injustice faced by righteous individuals in ancient Israel. The cultural context of the Near East placed immense importance on public reputation, honor, and shame. False accusations and slander, as depicted in the psalm, could utterly ruin a person's standing, livelihood, and even their very life within the community. The psalmist's fervent plea for vindication is therefore not merely a personal desire but a desperate request for God to uphold justice and restore honor within the societal framework. The declared act of public praise in verse 30 would serve as a powerful counter-narrative to the accusations, publicly restoring the psalmist's honor and testifying to God's righteous judgment before the assembled people, thereby reversing the shame inflicted by his enemies.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several foundational themes within Psalm 109 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine vindication and justice**. The psalmist's commitment to praise is a direct and confident response to his expectation that God will intervene on his behalf, silencing his accusers and demonstrating His righteousness. This echoes the pervasive theme of God as a righteous judge who defends the oppressed and upholds justice, as powerfully articulated in passages such as [Psalm 7:8](/psalms/7-8 "Psalm 7:8 - God Judges the Peoples"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **resilient faith in the midst of profound suffering**. Despite the intense pain, opposition, and despair described earlier in the psalm, the psalmist's faith remains steadfast, enabling him to look beyond his current dire circumstances to a future where God's faithfulness will be undeniably evident. This unwavering and anticipatory faith is a hallmark of many psalms, exemplified in the confident declarations found in [Psalm 27](/psalms/27 "Psalm 27 - The Lord is My Light and Salvation"). Finally, the verse powerfully emphasizes **public worship and communal testimony**. The psalmist's fervent desire to praise God "among the multitude" transforms a deeply personal experience of deliverance into a communal declaration of God's greatness, inviting others to witness and acknowledge His power, goodness, and righteous judgment. This public dimension of worship is a recurring and vital motif throughout the Psalter, as seen, for instance, in [Psalm 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - Declaring God's Name to My Brothers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** The Hebrew verb יָדָה (_yâdâh_) is a primitive root meaning "to use (i.e., hold out) the hand," and by extension, "to throw," but most significantly in this context, "to revere or worship (with extended hands)," "to praise," or "to confess." It implies an open, public acknowledgment, often involving physical gestures of adoration or submission. Here, it signifies a deliberate, active, and outward expression of gratitude, adoration, and confession of God's goodness, contrasting sharply with the internal anguish previously expressed. It is a vocal and demonstrative declaration, not merely a private sentiment.
* **Greatly (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd'_):** The Hebrew adverb מְאֹד (_mᵉʼôd_), derived from a root meaning "vehemence," signifies "very," "exceedingly," "mightily," or "greatly." Its inclusion here serves as an intensive, amplifying the psalmist's commitment to praise. It indicates not a casual or perfunctory acknowledgment but an abundant, fervent, and wholehearted expression of worship. This word speaks to the profound depth of his anticipated gratitude and the overwhelming magnitude of God's expected deliverance, signifying an overflowing and unrestrained act of worship.
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _rab'_):** The Hebrew noun רַב (_rab_), meaning "abundant," "great (number)," or "multitude," refers to a large assembly, congregation, or numerous people. This word profoundly highlights the public and communal nature of the psalmist's intended praise. It underscores that his act of worship is not a private devotion but a public testimony designed to be heard, witnessed, and affirmed by many. This emphasizes the desire for God's vindication to be openly acknowledged and celebrated within the community, restoring the psalmist's honor and glorifying God before all.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth":** This opening clause reveals the psalmist's personal, resolute, and deeply committed intention to worship. The phrase "with my mouth" emphasizes that this praise will be vocal, articulate, and audible, signifying an outward, public declaration rather than merely an internal sentiment. The adverb "greatly" (from _mᵉʼôd_) intensifies this commitment, underscoring the abundance, fervency, and wholeheartedness of this anticipated praise. It reflects a profound and overflowing gratitude for God's expected intervention, serving as a powerful promise born of faith, looking forward to a future act of divine deliverance and vindication.
* **"yea, I will praise him among the multitude":** This second clause expands upon and reinforces the first, specifying the context and scope of the praise. The "multitude" refers to a large assembly, congregation, or community, indicating that the psalmist's worship will be unequivocally public and communal. This is not merely a private act of devotion but a public testimony to God's faithfulness, justice, and power. It implies that God's vindication of the psalmist will be so evident and undeniable that it warrants open celebration, serving as an encouragement, a witness, and a counter-narrative to the false accusations heard by others. The repetition of "I will praise him" further solidifies the psalmist's firm and unwavering resolve.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 109:30 masterfully employs several potent literary devices that amplify its impact and meaning. Most notably, there is a striking **Contrast** between the preceding verses, which are saturated with bitter imprecation, deep lament, and cries for justice, and this sudden, confident declaration of praise. This dramatic shift powerfully demonstrates the psalmist's unwavering faith and the transformative power of anticipating God's certain deliverance. The verse also exhibits **Proleptic Praise** or **Anticipatory Praise**, a profound act of faith where the psalmist expresses gratitude and worship for a deliverance that has not yet physically occurred but is confidently expected and believed to be certain. Furthermore, the phrase "among the multitude" highlights **Public Declaration** and **Testimony**, emphasizing that the psalmist's deeply personal experience of God's goodness and vindication is intended to become a communal affirmation of His character, power, and righteousness. The repetition of the phrase "I will praise" (from different Hebrew roots, but carrying the same English translation) functions as a form of **Anaphora** or **Repetition**, reinforcing the psalmist's firm, resolute, and unwavering commitment to worship God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 109:30 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of faith, worship, and divine justice. It teaches that genuine, mature faith can confidently anticipate God's righteous intervention even in the darkest and most agonizing moments of suffering and injustice, enabling a move from a posture of desperate plea to one of confident, anticipatory praise. This proleptic praise is not born of naive optimism but from a deep, abiding trust in God's unchanging character as a just Judge and faithful Deliverer. The psalmist's fervent commitment to praise God publicly underscores the vital communal dimension of faith, where personal experiences of divine favor and vindication transcend individual circumstances to become a corporate testimony, glorifying God and strengthening the faith of others within the community. It powerfully reminds us that our deliverance is not solely for our personal benefit but also, and perhaps primarily, for the purpose of magnifying God's name and proclaiming His goodness before the world.

* [Psalm 34:3](/psalms/34-3 "Psalm 34:3 - Magnifying the Lord Together")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")
* [Isaiah 12:4](/isaiah/12-4 "Isaiah 12:4 - Making God's Deeds Known")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 109:30 offers a profound and challenging model for believers navigating seasons of intense adversity, injustice, and false accusation. It calls us to cultivate a robust faith that looks beyond present trials and the sting of suffering to the certain reality of God's ultimate vindication and deliverance. Our praise, even when offered in anticipation of a future act of God, becomes a potent act of spiritual warfare, declaring God's sovereignty over our circumstances, silencing the accusations of the enemy, and affirming our trust in His unfailing justice. Furthermore, the psalmist's fervent desire to praise God "among the multitude" reminds us that our faith journey and experiences of God's faithfulness are not meant to be solitary or private. When God brings us through trials, our testimony of His faithfulness is a powerful, living witness to others, encouraging them in their own struggles, building up the body of Christ, and drawing those outside the faith closer to the God who delivers. This verse calls us to be bold and unashamed in our public declarations of God's goodness, transforming our personal experiences of His grace into communal celebrations of His glory and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of "proleptic praise"—praising God for anticipated deliverance and vindication even before it fully manifests in my life?**
* **In what tangible ways can my personal experience of God's faithfulness become a public testimony that encourages others and brings glory to His name?**
* **What specific injustices, slanders, or difficulties am I currently facing that I can intentionally entrust to God, believing in His ultimate vindication and responding with anticipatory praise?**
* **How does the communal aspect of praise, "among the multitude," challenge or affirm my current practices of worship, witness, and sharing my faith within my community?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist suddenly praise in a psalm filled with imprecation and lament?**

Answer: This sudden and dramatic shift from intense lament and imprecation to confident praise in Psalms 109:30 is a powerful demonstration of the psalmist's unwavering faith and profound trust in God's character. It is an act of **"proleptic praise,"** meaning the psalmist is praising God in anticipation of future deliverance and vindication, even before these events have physically occurred. This pattern is a common and significant feature in many lament psalms (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - How Long, O Lord?")), where the psalmist moves from expressing deep distress and petition to declaring trust and offering praise, confident that God will hear and respond. It signifies a profound belief in God's justice and faithfulness, trusting that He will ultimately intervene on behalf of the righteous and turn their sorrow into joy.

**What is the significance of praising God "among the multitude"?**

Answer: Praising God "among the multitude" signifies the profoundly public and communal nature of the psalmist's worship and testimony. It means that the psalmist's anticipated deliverance and God's vindication will not be a private matter but will be openly declared and celebrated within the assembly or congregation of God's people. This serves several crucial purposes: it publicly glorifies God for His faithfulness and righteous judgment, it powerfully counters the public slanders and false accusations made against the psalmist, and it provides a compelling witness and profound encouragement to others within the community of faith. It underscores the biblical principle that God's acts of salvation are meant to be known, celebrated, and proclaimed by His people, fostering corporate worship and strengthening collective faith, much like the call to "proclaim his salvation from day to day" in [Psalm 96:2](/psalms/96-2 "Psalm 96:2 - Proclaim His Salvation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 109:30, with its declaration of anticipatory praise amidst profound suffering and the promise of public vindication, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Like the psalmist, Jesus endured unimaginable slander, false accusations, and the most unjust persecution, culminating in His public shame and execution on the cross. Yet, unlike the psalmist's imprecations, Jesus prayed for His enemies, embodying perfect love even in suffering ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Father, Forgive Them")). Just as the psalmist confidently anticipated God's vindication, Jesus, in His humanity, entrusted Himself entirely to the Father, knowing that His ultimate vindication would come through His glorious resurrection from the dead and triumphant ascension into heaven ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). The "multitude" who would praise God for this ultimate deliverance is now the church, the global body of believers, who gather across generations and nations to proclaim the triumph of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")—the One who was slain and is now eternally glorified. Our praise for God's justice and salvation is no longer merely anticipatory but actual, based on the historical reality of Christ's decisive victory over sin, death, and all spiritual enemies ([1 Corinthians 15:57](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory Through Our Lord Jesus Christ")). Through Christ, we are empowered to offer a continual "sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")), joining the heavenly chorus in glorifying the One who has delivered us from all our visible and invisible enemies, and who will ultimately return to be glorified "among his saints" and marveled at "among all who have believed" ([2 Thessalonians 1:10](/2_thessalonians/1-10 "2 Thessalonians 1:10 - Glorified in His Saints")).

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 111:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with [my] whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and [in] the congregation.

Psalms 35:18

I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Psalms 22:22

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

Psalms 22:25

My praise [shall be] of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.

Psalms 138:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Hebrews 2:12

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Psalms 116:12

What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me?