Psalms 57:9

I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

I will praise {H3034}{H8686)} thee, O Lord {H136}, among the people {H5971}: I will sing {H2167}{H8762)} unto thee among the nations {H3816}.

I will thank you, Adonai, among the peoples; I will make music to you among the nations.

I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing Your praises among the peoples.

I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples: I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Psalms 57:9 is a powerful declaration of King David's unwavering commitment to praise God, not only within his own community but also among the broader world. This verse encapsulates a profound shift from personal distress to public proclamation of God's glory.

Context

Psalm 57 is titled "A Michtam of David; when he fled from Saul in the cave." This superscription is vital, as it sets the scene for the entire psalm. David is in a desperate situation, hiding from King Saul who relentlessly sought to kill him (a historical event detailed in 1 Samuel 24:3). Despite being in a cave, a place of refuge but also confinement and fear, David begins the psalm with a cry for mercy and protection (Psalm 57:1-3), expressing confidence in God's deliverance. Verses 7-8 mark a turning point where David resolves to praise God with all his being, culminating in this verse's outward-looking declaration.

Key Themes

  • Public and Universal Praise: David's resolve isn't just for private devotion but for public testimony. "Among the people" refers to his own nation, Israel, while "among the nations" signifies a wider, even global, audience. This anticipates the New Testament call to make disciples of all nations.
  • Praise Amidst Adversity: The most striking theme is David's commitment to praise God despite his perilous circumstances. His trust in God's unfailing love and faithfulness empowers him to look beyond his immediate danger. This serves as a model for believers to maintain a posture of worship even in trials.
  • God's Sovereignty and Glory: The foundation of David's praise is the recognition of God's supreme authority and magnificent character, whose "mercy is great unto the heavens, and [His] truth unto the clouds" (Psalm 57:10).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "Lord" in this verse is YHWH (Yahweh), God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, faithful, and unchanging nature. The contrast between "the people" (ammim, referring to Israel or specific groups) and "the nations" (goyim, often used for Gentiles or non-Israelite peoples) is significant. It highlights David's prophetic vision that God's glory would be proclaimed far beyond the borders of Israel, a theme echoed in other Psalms like Psalm 67:4.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 57:9 offers several practical applications:

  • A Call to Public Witness: We are encouraged not to keep our faith private but to boldly declare God's goodness and works to those around us, both within our immediate communities and to the wider world.
  • Worship in Every Season: David's example teaches us to praise God not just when things are good, but especially in times of difficulty and uncertainty. True faith expresses itself in worship even from the "cave" of our challenges.
  • Embrace the Global Mission: This verse foreshadows the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. It reminds us of our part in seeing God's name glorified among all peoples, whether through direct missions or by supporting those who go.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 22:22

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

  • Psalms 22:23

    Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

  • Psalms 96:3

    Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

  • Psalms 18:49

    Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

  • Psalms 138:1

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

  • Psalms 2:1

    ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

  • Psalms 145:10

    ¶ All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
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