Psalms 118:28

KJV

Thou [art] my God, and I will praise thee: [thou art] my God, I will exalt thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou art my God {H410}, and I will praise {H3034} thee: thou art my God {H430}, I will exalt {H7311} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are my God, and I thank you. You are my God; I exalt you.

Berean Standard Bible

You are my God, and I will give You thanks. You are my God, and I will exalt You.

American Standard Version

Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:28 stands as a climactic and deeply personal declaration of faith and worship, serving as the psalmist's culminating response to God's mighty acts of deliverance and steadfast love. Following a communal celebration of divine intervention and the triumph of the "rejected stone" becoming the "chief cornerstone," this verse shifts to an intimate, resolute affirmation of God's personal ownership and an unwavering commitment to praise and exalt Him. It encapsulates the essence of grateful worship, where the experience of God's saving power naturally leads to a heartfelt, individual vow of adoration and glorification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 is the final psalm of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, notably Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. These psalms recount God's redemptive history, from the Exodus to future messianic hopes. The preceding verses in [Psalm 118](/psalms/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving") build a narrative of national deliverance and God's powerful intervention, culminating in the declaration that "the stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner" ([Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Cornerstone Prophecy")). This pivotal verse, understood as a messianic prophecy, sets the stage for a profound response. Verse 28 then transitions from a corporate celebration of God's grand acts to a deeply personal and individual vow of devotion, demonstrating that communal worship inspires personal commitment. The surrounding verses, such as [Psalm 118:25-27](/psalms/118-25-27 "Psalm 118:25-27 - Pleas for Salvation and Blessing"), express pleas for salvation and blessings, followed by a communal acclamation of God's goodness, which then gives way to this intensely personal declaration of allegiance and worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel psalms were integral to Jewish liturgical life, particularly during the Passover Seder, commemorating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, and during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a harvest festival celebrating God's provision and protection during the wilderness wanderings. The communal singing of these psalms was a powerful expression of gratitude for God's historical faithfulness and a re-affirmation of the covenant. The phrase "Thou art my God" carries immense weight within Israel's covenantal relationship with Yahweh. It echoes the personal commitment inherent in the covenant (e.g., [Jeremiah 24:7](/jeremiah/24-7 "Jeremiah 24:7 - God's Promise to Be Their God")) and reflects the individual's participation in the national covenant. The acts of "praising" and "exalting" God were central to Israelite worship, involving both vocal adoration and physical postures of reverence, often performed in the context of the Temple or communal gatherings. These actions were not merely ritualistic but were expected to flow from a heart of gratitude for God's mighty works and His steadfast love.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes of [Psalm 118](/psalms/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Personal Ownership and Intimacy with God** is paramount. The repeated "Thou art my God" signifies a profound, possessive, and covenantal relationship, moving beyond a mere intellectual acknowledgment of God's existence to a heartfelt declaration of personal devotion and belonging. This intimacy is a direct result of experiencing God's saving power, as described throughout the psalm. Secondly, **Unwavering Commitment to Praise and Exaltation** is the natural and commanded response to God's faithfulness. The psalmist expresses an active resolve to "praise thee" and "exalt thee," demonstrating that true worship is an intentional, grateful, and continuous act of glorifying God for who He is and what He has done. This theme resonates with calls to worship found throughout the Psalms, such as [Psalm 100:4](/psalms/100-4 "Psalm 100:4 - Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **Gratitude as the Foundation of Worship**. It underscores that genuine praise springs from a heart overflowing with thanksgiving for God's mercy, deliverance, and steadfast love, making worship not a duty but a joyful, spontaneous overflow of a grateful spirit, acknowledging God as the source of all good things, as seen in [Psalm 107:1](/psalms/107-1 "Psalm 107:1 - Give Thanks to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** (H410) This word, often referring to God as the "Mighty One," is used here with the first-person singular possessive suffix, forming "my God." It is a powerful declaration of personal relationship and ownership. Unlike the more common _ʼĕlôhîym_ (H430), _ʼêl_ often emphasizes God's power and might. Here, with the possessive suffix, it highlights the psalmist's intimate and exclusive claim on this mighty God, signifying a covenantal bond, a personal reliance, and a deep sense of belonging to the divine.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** (H3034) A primitive root meaning "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand," physically to throw, but especially to revere or worship with extended hands. It encompasses giving thanks, confessing, and celebrating God's goodness. This verb signifies an active, outward, and often physical expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's attributes and actions with a grateful heart.
* **Exalt (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** (H7311) A primitive root meaning "to be high," "to lift up," or "to raise." In the context of worship, it means to elevate God to His rightful place of supreme honor and sovereignty. It is an act of acknowledging His transcendence, His inherent worthiness of all glory, and His preeminence above all things. It implies a lifting up of God in one's heart, mind, and public declaration, magnifying His name and character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou art my God":** This initial declaration is a foundational statement of personal faith and covenantal relationship. It is not merely an intellectual assent to God's existence but an intimate, possessive affirmation of His identity as the psalmist's own, personal deity. This phrase sets the stage for the subsequent expressions of worship, as the recognition of God's personal relationship naturally evokes a response of devotion and trust.
* **"and I will praise thee":** This clause expresses the psalmist's immediate and resolute response to the recognition of God as "my God." It is a vow of active, intentional worship. "Praise" here encompasses thanksgiving, adoration, and the acknowledgment of God's goodness and mighty acts. It signifies a commitment to outwardly express gratitude and honor to the One who has shown such faithfulness and deliverance.
* **"[thou art] my God":** The repetition of this phrase serves to intensify the personal declaration. It reinforces the psalmist's conviction and deepens the sense of intimacy and ownership. This reiteration emphasizes the unwavering nature of the relationship and solidifies the foundation upon which the subsequent act of worship is built, acting as a powerful echo that underscores the sincerity and depth of the psalmist's devotion.
* **"I will exalt thee":** This final clause reiterates and amplifies the commitment to worship. While "praise" often focuses on thanksgiving for God's actions, "exalt" emphasizes lifting God up in supreme honor and acknowledging His inherent worthiness and sovereignty. It is a declaration to magnify God, to make Him high and glorious in one's life and before others. This dual commitment to praise and exaltation encompasses a comprehensive and wholehearted response of worship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 118:28 effectively employs several **literary devices** to amplify its message and emotional impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "Thou art my God." This reiteration is not redundant but serves to emphasize the profound personal conviction and the unwavering nature of the psalmist's relationship with God. It creates a powerful echo, reinforcing the intimacy and ownership declared. Closely related is **Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse mirrors the first in structure and sentiment: "I will praise thee" is paralleled by "I will exalt thee." This synonymous parallelism deepens the expression of worship, presenting two facets of the same devoted response, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the psalmist's commitment. There is also an implied **Chiasm** (an ABBA structure) in the verse's flow: "Thou art my God" (A), "I will praise thee" (B), "Thou art my God" (B'), "I will exalt thee" (A'). While not a perfect chiasm, the repetition of the personal declaration framing the acts of worship highlights the centrality of the relationship as the ultimate source and motivation for all praise and exaltation. These devices combine to create a verse that is not only a declaration but also a powerful, rhythmic affirmation of faith and worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of worship stemming from a personal, covenantal relationship with God. It underscores that true praise is not a detached obligation but an intimate, heartfelt response to God's character and His acts of salvation. The psalmist's declaration "Thou art my God" is a microcosm of Israel's covenant with Yahweh, where God declares "I will be their God, and they shall be my people." This personal affirmation of God's identity and ownership forms the bedrock for a life of worship, demonstrating that our praise is directly proportional to our understanding and experience of who God is to us individually. It teaches that gratitude for divine deliverance naturally overflows into a commitment to exalt and glorify the deliverer, making worship the highest expression of our relationship with the Almighty.
* [Deuteronomy 26:17](/deuteronomy/26-17 "Deuteronomy 26:17 - Israel's Declaration to God")
* [Isaiah 25:1](/isaiah/25-1 "Isaiah 25:1 - A Song of Praise to God")
* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray with Thanksgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:28 offers a timeless model for the believer's personal devotion and response to God's faithfulness. It calls us to move beyond a general acknowledgment of God to a deeply personal and possessive declaration: "Thou art *my* God." This intimate relationship, forged through God's redemptive work in our lives, should naturally lead to an unwavering commitment to praise and exalt Him. In a world that often seeks to diminish God's place or replace Him with lesser idols, this verse challenges us to firmly establish Him as the supreme authority and object of our affection. Our daily lives, marked by both trials and triumphs, provide countless opportunities to affirm God's sovereignty and express gratitude, transforming our existence into a continuous act of worship. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart posture of perpetual thanksgiving, recognizing that every breath and every blessing are gifts from our personal God, prompting us to lift Him higher in our thoughts, words, and deeds, and to live lives that consistently reflect His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I personally declare, "Thou art my God," in my daily life, beyond mere words?**
* **What recent acts of God's faithfulness in my life have prompted me to praise and exalt Him more deeply, and how have I expressed this?**
* **How can I move beyond a general sense of gratitude to a more intentional and expressive commitment to praise God in all circumstances, even the difficult ones?**
* **Does my worship primarily stem from duty, or is it a joyful, spontaneous overflow of my intimate relationship with God, reflecting His presence in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "Thou art my God" repeated in this verse, and what is its significance?**

Answer: The repetition of "Thou art my God" (אֵלִי אַתָּה, _’Eli attah_ for the first instance, and אֱלֹהַי, _’Elohai_ for the second, both meaning "my God") is a powerful literary and theological device that serves several key purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the profound intimacy and personal nature of the psalmist's relationship with God. It's not just a general statement about God's existence, but a deep, covenantal declaration of personal ownership and belonging. The psalmist is affirming, "You, Yahweh, are *my* God, the one to whom I belong and on whom I depend." Secondly, the repetition provides a strong foundation and motivation for the subsequent vows of praise and exaltation. It's as if the psalmist is saying, "Because You are truly my God, therefore I *must* and *will* praise You." This reinforces the idea that worship is a direct, natural, and necessary response to a personal relationship with the divine. It underscores the sincerity and unwavering commitment of the psalmist's devotion, making the declaration of worship even more potent and heartfelt. This echoes the covenant formula found throughout Scripture, where God declares "I will be their God, and they will be my people" (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:28 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The "Egyptian Hallel" psalms, including [Psalm 118](/psalms/118 "Psalm 118 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving"), were sung by Jesus and His disciples on the night of His betrayal, just before going to Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:30](/matthew/26-30 "Matthew 26:30 - The Last Supper and Gethsemane")). This means that the very words "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee" were on the lips of the One who perfectly modeled devotion to the Father. For the believer, it is supremely through Christ that we can truly and intimately declare, "Thou art my God." Jesus, as the Son, perfectly revealed the Father, making it possible for us to enter into a personal relationship with God as our Father, a relationship previously unattainable for many ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Our ability to praise and exalt God is empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent, enabling us to offer acceptable worship that is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Furthermore, the "stone which the builders refused" in [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Cornerstone Prophecy") is explicitly identified as Christ in the New Testament ([Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Jesus, the Cornerstone"); [1 Peter 2:7](/1_peter/2-7 "1 Peter 2:7 - Christ, the Living Stone")). Therefore, our declaration of "Thou art my God" and our commitment to praise and exalt Him is fundamentally Christ-centered, recognizing Him as the means by which we approach the Father, the object of our worship, and the ultimate reason for our unending praise and thanksgiving ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering the Sacrifice of Praise")).

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

Isaiah 25:1

¶ O LORD, thou [art] my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful [things; thy] counsels of old [are] faithfulness [and] truth.

Psalms 146:2

While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Exodus 15:2

The LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 25:9

¶ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this [is] the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Psalms 145:1

¶ David's [Psalm] of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.