Psalms 116:19

KJV

In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the courts {H2691} of the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004}, in the midst {H8432} of thee, O Jerusalem {H3389}. Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in the courtyards of ADONAI's house, there in your very heart, Yerushalayim. Halleluyah!

Berean Standard Bible

in the courts of the LORD’s house, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

American Standard Version

In the courts of Jehovah’s house, In the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Having been delivered from the brink of death, the psalmist reaches a climactic declaration of public thanksgiving in Psalm 116:19. This verse precisely locates the promised praise within the sacred heart of communal worship in Jerusalem, specifically the Temple courts. It serves as a powerful concluding exhortation, inviting all to join in glorifying the Lord for His compassionate deliverance and unwavering faithfulness, transforming a personal testimony into a corporate act of adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, forming part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally recited during Passover. The psalmist recounts a profound experience of distress, being "encompassed by the cords of death" and "the pangs of Sheol," a dire situation vividly described in [Psalm 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Psalmist's Distress"). In this extremity, he cried out to the Lord, who proved to be "gracious and righteous," as affirmed in [Psalm 116:5](/psalms/116-5 "Psalm 116:5 - God's Graciousness"). Having been miraculously delivered and restored to life, the psalmist expresses a profound sense of indebtedness and a fervent desire to live in God's presence, articulated in [Psalm 116:9](/psalms/116-9 "Psalm 116:9 - Walking Before the Lord"). Verses 12-19 detail the psalmist's response, culminating in the vow to offer "the sacrifice of thanksgiving" (see [Psalm 116:17](/psalms/116-17 "Psalm 116:17 - The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving")) and to "pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people," a commitment reiterated in [Psalm 116:14](/psalms/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - Fulfilling Vows Publicly"). Verse 19 explicitly states *where* these vows will be fulfilled, bringing the individual's gratitude into the communal sphere.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of this psalm is likely post-exilic, reflecting a period when the Temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt and was once again the central place of worship for the Jewish people. The "courts of the LORD'S house" refer to the outer areas of the Second Temple, where the general populace gathered for worship, sacrifices, and communal feasts. Jerusalem itself was not merely a geographical location but the spiritual heart of Israel, the city chosen by God to house His name and His dwelling place, as declared in [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - The Chosen Place"). Pilgrimage to Jerusalem for festivals was a deeply ingrained cultural practice, fostering a profound sense of national and spiritual unity. The act of offering public thanksgiving and fulfilling vows in the Temple courts was a common and expected practice, demonstrating both personal piety and communal solidarity within the covenant community.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of Psalm 116 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Thanksgiving for Deliverance**, where a personal experience of salvation from death leads to a public declaration of gratitude. This ties into the theme of **Vow Fulfillment**, as the psalmist honors promises made to God in distress, emphasizing integrity and faithfulness. The verse also underscores the **Centrality of Public Worship**, highlighting that individual faith finds its fullest expression within the community of believers, particularly in the sacred space of the Temple. Finally, the concluding "Praise ye the LORD" serves as an **Exhortation to Communal Praise**, transforming the psalmist's personal testimony into a universal call for all God's people to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Courts (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** This term (H2691) refers to an enclosed area, a yard, or specifically, the outer precincts of the Temple. These were the public spaces where the Israelites gathered for worship, sacrifices, and communal gatherings. The psalmist's choice to praise in the "courts" signifies that his thanksgiving is not a private affair but a public testimony intended for the entire community, emphasizing the communal setting for worship.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root (H1984) means to be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, or causatively, to celebrate. It implies a vibrant, often clamorous, expression of commendation and adoration. In this context, it is a plural imperative ("Praise!"), indicating a direct command or exhortation to a group, calling all present to join in the act of glorifying God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yâhh'_):** This is a contraction (H3050) of Yᵉhôvâh (H3068), meaning "the self-Existent or Eternal." It is the sacred, personal name of God, often translated as Yahweh or Jehovah. Its inclusion here, in the familiar "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah), underscores that the praise is directed specifically to the covenant-keeping God of Israel, acknowledging His unique power and faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the courts of the LORD'S house,":** This phrase precisely locates the act of thanksgiving. The "courts" were the outer precincts of the Temple, accessible to all worshippers, while the "LORD'S house" refers to the Temple itself, the designated dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This establishes the setting as a sacred, public space, emphasizing that the psalmist's praise is not confined to private devotion but is an open, communal declaration of God's goodness and deliverance.
* **"in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.":** This clause further specifies the location, identifying Jerusalem as the city where the Temple stands and where this public praise will occur. "In the midst of thee" highlights the centrality of Jerusalem, both geographically and spiritually, as the hub of Israelite worship and national identity. It connects the individual's vow to the collective life of the nation, making the praise a corporate act within the holy city, visible to all its inhabitants and pilgrims.
* **"Praise ye the LORD.":** This concluding imperative is a direct, urgent call to action. The plural "ye" indicates that this is an invitation or command to the assembled community. It transforms the psalmist's personal testimony into a universal exhortation, urging all present to join in glorifying Yahweh. This powerful, familiar phrase (Hallelujah) serves as a triumphant capstone to the psalm, inviting communal participation in the joy and gratitude for divine deliverance, making the individual's experience a catalyst for corporate worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 116:19 employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Exhortation**, seen in the concluding "Praise ye the LORD," which directly commands the audience to participate in worship, transforming the psalmist's personal vow into a communal imperative. There is also a form of **Concentric Specification**, where the location is narrowed from "the courts of the LORD'S house" to "in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem," creating a sense of deepening focus on the sacred center of Israelite life. The verse functions as a **Public Declaration**, fulfilling the psalmist's earlier vows to praise God among His people, thereby transforming a private experience of deliverance into a communal act of worship and testimony. The use of specific geographical and architectural terms like "courts" and "Jerusalem" grounds the spiritual act in a tangible, relatable reality, emphasizing the concrete nature of the psalmist's commitment to **Vow Fulfillment**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 116:19 powerfully articulates the theological principle that personal salvation should lead to public worship. The psalmist's deliverance from death is not merely a private blessing but an occasion for communal praise, fulfilling vows made in distress. This highlights the interconnectedness of individual faith and corporate worship within the covenant community. The Temple in Jerusalem serves as the designated space where God's people gather to acknowledge His faithfulness, offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and collectively declare His greatness. It underscores the importance of the gathered assembly as the proper context for the full expression of gratitude and adoration towards God, demonstrating that true piety extends beyond private devotion to public testimony and communal celebration.

* [Psalms 22:25](/psalms/22-25 "Psalm 22:25 - Fulfilling Vows in the Great Congregation")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")
* [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Worship the Lord in the Splendor of Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 116:19 invites contemporary believers to consider the profound connection between personal experience and communal expression of faith. When God delivers us, sustains us, or answers our prayers, our gratitude should not remain a private sentiment. Like the psalmist, we are called to bring our praise into the public square of worship, whether in a physical church building, a virtual gathering, or any gathered community of believers. This act of public thanksgiving strengthens not only our own faith but also encourages and edifies those around us, bearing powerful witness to God's faithfulness and goodness. It reminds us that our spiritual journey is not solitary but is deeply intertwined with the body of Christ, where we collectively affirm God's sovereignty and goodness. It challenges us to be faithful in fulfilling our spiritual commitments and to actively participate in the corporate worship life of the church, making our praise visible, vocal, and contagious. Our personal testimonies, when shared in community, become a powerful catalyst for collective adoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal experience of God's faithfulness translate into my participation in communal worship?**
* **What vows or commitments have I made to God, and how can I publicly fulfill them as a testimony to His goodness?**
* **In what ways can I contribute to an atmosphere of genuine praise and thanksgiving within my local church or faith community?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important for the psalmist to praise God "in the courts of the LORD'S house" and "in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem," rather than in private?**

Answer: The specific mention of the "courts of the LORD'S house" and "in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem" emphasizes the communal and public nature of the psalmist's thanksgiving. While private devotion is vital, the biblical tradition often highlights the importance of corporate worship and testimony. The psalmist had made vows to God in distress, as stated in [Psalm 116:14](/psalms/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - Paying Vows Publicly"), and fulfilling these vows publicly demonstrated integrity, honored God openly, and served as a powerful witness to the entire community. It transformed a personal deliverance into a shared celebration of God's faithfulness, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. This public declaration also served to encourage other believers and invited them to join in the praise, making the individual's experience a catalyst for collective worship and a tangible expression of God's work in the lives of His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 116:19, with its emphasis on public thanksgiving in the Temple courts in Jerusalem, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist celebrated deliverance from physical death and vowed praise in a physical temple, Christ's deliverance is from spiritual death and sin, establishing a new and eternal covenant. Jesus himself is the true Temple, as He declared in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the Temple"), the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. Through His perfect sacrifice, He has opened a new and living way to the Father for all believers, a profound truth expounded in [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ"). The "courts of the LORD'S house" are now superseded by the spiritual reality of the church, the body of Christ, where believers gather to offer "the sacrifice of praise" through Him, as encouraged in [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise"). The call to "Praise ye the LORD" becomes a universal invitation to worship the Father through the Son, in the power of the Spirit, as we await the New Jerusalem. In that glorious city, God's presence will dwell perfectly with His people, and there will be no need for a temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple," a vision beautifully described in [Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - The New Jerusalem Has No Temple").

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 135:2

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

Psalms 96:8

Give unto the LORD the glory [due unto] his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Psalms 100:4

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.

Psalms 118:19

¶ Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, [and] I will praise the LORD:

Psalms 118:20

This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.

Psalms 122:3

Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

Psalms 122:4

Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.