Psalms 35:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I will give thee thanks {H3034} in the great {H7227} congregation {H6951}: I will praise {H1984}{H8762)} thee among much {H6099} people {H5971}.

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.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 35 is a deeply emotive psalm of lament and imprecation, a fervent prayer from David to God for deliverance from his relentless enemies. The psalm commences with an urgent plea for divine intervention, asking God to "contend with those who contend with me" and "fight against those who fight against me" [Psalms 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1 - David's Plea for Justice"). Throughout the preceding verses, David vividly portrays the treachery and malice of his adversaries, who repay his good with evil, mock his distress, and even celebrate his downfall, as seen in their false accusations and scornful taunts [Psalms 35:11-16](/psalms/35-11-16 "Psalm 35:11-16 - The Malice of David's Enemies"). This particular verse, [Psalms 35:18](/psalms/35-18 "Psalm 35:18 - David's Vow of Public Praise"), marks a pivotal shift from the depths of lament to an expression of confident expectation and a solemn vow. It anticipates God's intervention and David's subsequent public acknowledgment of that deliverance, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the earlier cries for help and foreshadowing the eventual triumph of justice and faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, public vows and expressions of thanksgiving were an integral part of religious and communal life. When an individual faced a crisis, they would often make a vow to God, promising a specific act of worship, sacrifice, or public testimony if God granted their petition. Fulfilling such a vow, especially in the "great congregation" (Hebrew: *qahal*), was a matter of profound spiritual and social importance, demonstrating both personal integrity and God's faithfulness to the community. David, as king and a prominent figure, understood that his public testimony of God's deliverance would not only honor God but also serve as a powerful example and encouragement to the entire nation. The "great congregation" refers to the formal assembly of Israel, gathered for worship, festivals, or significant communal matters, emphasizing the communal aspect of faith and the public nature of God's dealings with His people. This practice underscores the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where individual experiences of divine grace were shared to reinforce corporate identity and faith.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalms 35 and the Psalter as a whole. Foremost is the theme of **Vindication and Justice**, as David anticipates God's righteous judgment against his enemies and his own subsequent deliverance from their unjust attacks. His vow of public praise is a direct response to this expected vindication, a declaration that God will prove His righteousness. Another crucial theme is **Trust and Faithfulness**, as David's promise to praise God *before* the deliverance occurs demonstrates his profound and unwavering trust in God's character and His commitment to His covenant people. This proactive vow highlights a deep-seated confidence in God's ultimate intervention. The verse also powerfully highlights the **Communal Nature of Worship**, emphasizing that personal experiences of God's grace are not meant to be kept private but are to be shared openly within the gathered community. This public testimony fosters corporate faith, glorifies God collectively, and serves as a witness to God's power and goodness, encouraging others to place their trust in Him, much like the call to praise God found in [Psalms 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - Proclaiming God's Name to the Congregation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thanks (Hebrew, _yâdâh'_):** From H3034, this primitive root means "to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands); cast (out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving)." In this context, it signifies an open, public acknowledgment or confession of God's character and deeds, often accompanied by the physical gesture of uplifted hands in reverence. It is an active, outward expression of gratitude and praise, not merely an internal feeling.
* **Congregation (Hebrew, _qâhâl'_):** From H6951, this noun refers to an "assemblage (usually concretely); assembly, company, congregation, multitude." It denotes the formal, organized assembly of the people of Israel, underscoring the communal and official nature of the worship David intends to offer. This is not a casual gathering but a designated assembly of God's people, often for worship, festivals, or significant communal matters.
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** From H1984, this primitive root means "to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine." In the context of worship, it signifies a fervent, often exuberant, and even boisterous expression of adoration and celebration of God's greatness, the root of "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah!). The use of both *yâdâh* and *hâlal* indicates a comprehensive and enthusiastic public worship, encompassing both grateful acknowledgment and joyful acclamation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will give thee thanks in the great congregation:"** David makes a personal, resolute vow ("I will") directly to God ("thee"). The act of "giving thanks" (Hebrew: *yâdâh*) is an active, public acknowledgment of God's goodness and intervention, often implying a confession of His faithfulness. The setting is crucial: "in the great congregation" (Hebrew: *qâhâl*), signifying a formal, large assembly of God's people. This highlights David's intention to make his gratitude a public testimony, not a private affair, affirming God's faithfulness before the entire community and inviting them to witness His mighty acts.
* **"I will praise thee among much people."** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallelism, reiterating and intensifying the commitment made in the first half of the verse. "Praise" (Hebrew: *hâlal*) suggests an even more vibrant, perhaps even exultant and boisterous, expression of adoration, moving beyond mere thanks to joyful celebration. "Among much people" reinforces the public and widespread nature of this praise, emphasizing that David's testimony will reach a broad audience, magnifying God's glory and encouraging the faith of others beyond the immediate assembly.

#### 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.

* [Psalm 22:22](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - Proclaiming God's Name to the Congregation")
* [Psalm 116:12-14](/psalms/116-12-14 "Psalm 116:12-14 - Fulfilling Vows of Thanksgiving")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - A Sacrifice of Praise")

### 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
* **In what ways have I experienced God's deliverance or faithfulness that I have not yet publicly acknowledged within my faith community?**
* **How does my personal testimony contribute to the "great congregation" or the broader community of believers, and how can I more intentionally share it?**
* **What specific vows or commitments have I made to God, and how can I ensure I fulfill them, especially in a way that brings Him public glory?**
* **How can I be more intentional about participating in and contributing to the corporate worship and praise of my church community, making my gratitude known?**

### 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](/psalms/96-3 "Psalm 96:3 - Declare His Glory Among the Nations"). 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](/psalms/66-16 "Psalm 66:16 - Come and Hear What God Has Done"). 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](/psalms/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - Fulfilling Vows in the Presence of All His People"). 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](/hebrews/10-25 "Hebrews 10:25 - Do Not Forsake the Assembly").

### 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](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant"), 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](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up"). 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](/psalms/22-22 "Psalm 22:22 - Proclaiming God's Name in the Congregation") 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](/hebrews/2-12 "Hebrews 2:12 - Jesus Proclaims God's Name"). 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](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - The Great Multitude Praising God").

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

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 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 116:18

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people,

Psalms 116:14

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.

Psalms 67:1

¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm [or] Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; [and] cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Psalms 67:4

O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.