TRV
Translation
King James Version
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Complete Jewish Bible
I will give you thanks in the great assembly, I will give you praise among huge crowds of people.
Berean Standard Bible
Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
American Standard Version
I will give thee thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people.
World English Bible Messianic
I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So will I giue thee thankes in a great Congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Young's Literal Translation
I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee.
In the KJVVerse 14,429 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 35 verses 17–28
17 ¶ Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions.
18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
19 Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.
20 For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.
21 Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.
22 This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.
23 Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
24 Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me.
25 Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up.
26 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.
27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
In these verses, as before,
I. David describes the great injustice, malice, and insolence, of his persecutors, pleading this with God as a reason why he should protect him from them and appear against them. 1. They were very unrighteous; they were his enemies wrongfully, for he never gave them any provocation: They hated him without a cause; nay, for that for which they ought rather to have loved and honoured him. This is quoted, with application to Christ, and is said to be fulfilled in him. Joh 15:25, They hated me without cause. 2. They were very rude; they could not find in their hearts to show him common civility: They speak not peace; if they met him, they had not the good manners to give him the time of day; like Joseph's brethren, that could not speak peaceably to him, Gen 37:4. 3. They were very proud and scornful (Psa 35:21): They opened their mouth wide against me; they shouted and huzzaed when they saw his fall; they bawled after him when he was forced to quit the court, "Aha! aha! this is the day we longed to see." 4. They were very barbarous and base, for they trampled upon him when he was down, rejoiced at his hurt, and magnified themselves against him, Psa 35:26. Turba Remi sequitur fortunam, ut semper, et odit damnatos - The Roman crowd, varying their opinions with every turn of fortune, are sure to execrate the fallen. Thus, when the Son of David was run upon by the rulers, the people cried, Crucify him, crucify him. 5. They set themselves against all the sober good people that adhered to David (Psa 35:20): They devised deceitful matters, to trepan and ruin those that were quiet in the land. Note, (1.) It is the character of the godly in the land that they are the quiet in the land, that they live in all dutiful subjection to government and governors, in the Lord, and endeavour, as much as in them lies, to live peaceably with all men, however they may have been misrepresented as enemies to Caesar and hurtful to kings and provinces. I am for peace, Psa 120:7. (2.) Though the people of God are, and study to be, a quiet people, yet it has been the common practice of their enemies to devise deceitful matters against them. All the hellish arts of malice and falsehood are made use of to render them odious or despicable; their words and actions are misconstrued, even that which they abhor is fathered upon them, laws are made to ensnare them (Dan 6:4, etc.), and all to ruin them and root them out. Those that hated David thought scorn, like Haman, to lay hands on him alone, but contrived to involve all the religious people of the land in the same ruin with him.
II. He appeals to God against them, the God to whom vengeance belongs, appeals to his knowledge (Psa 35:22): This thou hast seen. They had falsely accused him, but God, who knows all things, knew that he did not falsely accuse them, nor make them worse than really they were. They had carried on their plots against him with a great degree of secresy (Psa 35:15): "I knew it not, till long after, when they themselves gloried in it; but thy eye was upon them in their close cabals and thou art a witness of all they have said and done against me and thy people." He appeals to God's justice: Awake to my judgment, even to my cause, and let it have a hearing at thy bar, Psa 35:23. "Judge me, O Lord my God! pass sentence upon this appeal, according to the righteousness of thy nature and government," Psa 35:24. See this explained by Solomon, Kg1 7:31, Kg1 7:32. When thou art appealed to, hear in heaven, and judge, by condemning the wicked and justifying the righteous.
III. He prays earnestly to God to appear graciously for him and his friends, against his and their enemies, that by his providence the struggle might issue to the honour and comfort of David and to the conviction and confusion of his persecutors. 1. He prays that God would act for him, and not stand by as a spectator (Psa 35:17): "Lord, how long wilt thou look on? How long wilt thou connive at the wickedness of the wicked? Rescue my soul from the destructions they are plotting against it; rescue my darling, my only one, from the lions. My soul is my only one, and therefore the greater is the shame if I neglect it and the greater the loss if I lose it: it is my only one, and therefore ought to be my darling, ought to be carefully protected and provided for. It is my soul that is in danger; Lord, rescue it. It does, in a peculiar manner, belong to the Father of spirits, therefore claim thy own; it is thine, save it. Lord, keep not silence, as if thou didst consent to what is done against me! Lord, be not far from me (Psa 35:22), as if I were a stranger that thou wert not concerned for; let not me beheld afar off, as the proud are." 2. He prays that his enemies might not have cause to rejoice (Psa 35:19): Let them not rejoice over me (and again, Psa 35:24); not so much because it would be a mortification to him to be trampled upon the abjects, as because it would turn to the dishonour of God and the reproach of his confidence in God. It would harden the hearts of his enemies in their wickedness and confirm them in their enmity to him, and would be a great discouragement to all the pious Jews that were friends to his righteous cause. He prays that he might never be in such imminent danger as that they should say in their hearts, Ah! so would we have it (Psa 35:25), much more that he might not be reduced to such extremity that they should say, We have swallowed him up; for then they will reflect upon God himself. But, on the contrary, that they might be ashamed and brought to confusion together (Psa 35:26, as before, Psa 35:4); he desires that his innocency might be so cleared that they might be ashamed of the calumnies with which they had loaded him, that his interest might be so confirmed that they might be ashamed of their designs against him and their expectations of his ruin, that they might either be brought to that shame which would be a step towards their reformation or that that might be their portion which would be their everlasting misery. 3. He prays that his friends might have cause to rejoice and give glory to God, Psa 35:27. Notwithstanding the arts that were used to blacken David, and make him odious, and to frighten people from owning him, there were some that favoured his righteous cause, that knew he was wronged and bore a good affection to him; and he prays for them, (1.) That they might rejoice with him in his joys. It is a great pleasure to all that are good to see an honest man, and an honest cause, prevail and prosper; and those that heartily espouse the interests of God's people, and are willing to take their lot with them even when they are run down and trampled upon, shall in due time shout for joy and be glad, for the righteous cause will at length be a victorious cause. (2.) That they might join with him in his praises: Let them say continually, The Lord be magnified, by us and others, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. Note, [1.] The great God has pleasure in this prosperity of good people, not only of his family, the church in general, but of every particular servant in his family. He has pleasure in the prosperity both of their temporal and of their spiritual affairs, and delights not in their griefs; for he does not afflict willingly; and we ought therefore to have pleasure in their prosperity, and not to envy it. [2.] When God in his providence shows his good-will to the prosperity of his servants, and the pleasure he takes in it, we ought to acknowledge it with thankfulness, to his praise, and to say, The Lord be magnified.
IV. The mercy he hoped to win by prayer he promises to wear with praise: "I will give thee thanks, as the author of my deliverance (Psa 35:18), and my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness, the justice of thy judgments and the equity of all thy dispensations;" and this, 1. Publicly, as one that took a pleasure in owning his obligations to his God, so far was he from being ashamed of them. he will do it in the great congregation, and among much people, that God might be honoured and many edified. 2. Constantly. he will speak God's praise every day (so it may be read) and all the day long; for it is a subject that will never be exhausted, no, not by the endless praises of saints and angels.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 17–28. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 35
Lastly, would you know what is that Darling? Read the words following: "I will confess unto You, O Lord, in the great Congregation; in a weighty people will I praise You" [Psalm 35:18]. Truly says He, "I will confess unto You:" for confession is made in all the multitude, but not in all is God praised: the whole multitude hears our confession, but not in all the multitude is the praise of God. For in all the whole multitude, that is, in the Church which is spread abroad in the whole world, is chaff, and wheat: the chaff flies, the wheat remains; therefore, "in a weighty people will I praise You." In a weighty people, which the wind of temptation carries not away, in such is God praised. For in the chaff He is ever blasphemed....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 35:18 is a profound declaration by David, expressing his unwavering commitment to publicly acknowledge and celebrate God's deliverance and vindication. Amidst fervent pleas for rescue from his unjust adversaries, this verse stands as a solemn vow, promising to offer heartfelt thanksgiving and exuberant praise within the assembled community of believers once God answers his prayer. It underscores the communal dimension of faith, where personal experiences of divine faithfulness are openly proclaimed for God's glory and the edification of His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 35:18 is Synonymous Parallelism. The two clauses of the verse, "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation" and "I will praise thee among much people," express the same core idea using different but closely related words and phrases. "Give thanks" (yâdâh) and "praise" (hâlal) are both expressions of worship, while "great congregation" (qâhâl) and "much people" (ʻam rab) are both terms for a large public assembly. This parallelism serves to reinforce David's unwavering commitment to public worship and to emphasize the breadth and depth of his intended gratitude. Additionally, the verse functions as a Vow or Pledge, a common literary and theological form in the Psalms where the psalmist promises a specific act of worship or sacrifice in exchange for God's deliverance. This vow highlights David's profound faith and confident anticipation of God's intervention, even while still in distress, demonstrating a proactive commitment to glorifying God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 35:18 profoundly underscores the theological truth that God's deliverance is not merely for the individual but is intended to be a public display of His glory and faithfulness. David's vow to praise God "in the great congregation" reveals that personal salvation experiences have a communal dimension, serving as a testimony that strengthens the faith of the entire body of believers. This public acknowledgment of God's goodness fosters corporate worship, encourages perseverance in trials, and reminds the community of God's active involvement in the lives of His people. It teaches us that our gratitude should be expressed tangibly and openly, not just in private devotion, so that others may be drawn to glorify God and understand the active, redemptive hand of God in the world. It is a powerful reminder that our personal walk with God has profound implications for the collective witness of His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 35:18 calls believers today to consider the public dimension of their faith and gratitude. When God delivers us from trials, answers our prayers, or blesses us in tangible ways, our response should extend beyond private thanksgiving. Like David, we are invited to share our testimonies within the "great congregation"—the church—so that our experiences of God's faithfulness can encourage and strengthen others. This public declaration not only glorifies God but also builds up the body of Christ, reminding everyone present that God is active, just, and worthy of all praise. It challenges us to fulfill our vows, to be intentional about expressing our gratitude, and to recognize that our personal walk with God has a vital communal impact, fostering a culture of corporate worship and shared testimony. Our stories of God's grace are powerful tools for evangelism and edification, inviting others to witness His goodness and prompting them to trust in Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is public praise and thanksgiving so important in the Bible?
Answer: Public praise and thanksgiving are crucial because they serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they bring immense glory to God by openly acknowledging His character, power, and faithfulness, as seen in the call to "declare his glory among the nations" Psalms 96:3. Secondly, they serve as a powerful testimony to others, strengthening the faith of fellow believers and potentially drawing unbelievers to God as they "come and hear what God has done" Psalms 66:16. Thirdly, public expressions of gratitude fulfill vows made to God, demonstrating integrity and commitment, as the psalmist declares, "I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people" Psalms 116:14. Finally, they foster a sense of community and corporate worship, reminding believers that they are part of a larger body united in their adoration of God, and encouraging them not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" Hebrews 10:25.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:18, David's vow of public praise in anticipation of deliverance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David, as a type of Christ, experienced unjust suffering and persecution, yet looked forward to a day of vindication and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. Jesus, the true Son of David, endured the ultimate unjust suffering, being "despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" Isaiah 53:3, yet through His obedient death on the cross and His glorious resurrection, He was triumphantly vindicated by God, for "God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death" Acts 2:24. It is Christ, the Lamb of God, who now leads the "great congregation"—His church, composed of believers from every tribe and nation—in eternal praise and thanksgiving to the Father. The author of Hebrews explicitly connects Psalms 22:22 to Jesus, stating, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praises" Hebrews 2:12. Thus, David's personal vow becomes a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's triumph and His ongoing leadership of His redeemed people in worship, ensuring that God's deliverance is eternally praised among "much people"—a great multitude that no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10.