I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
I will praise {H3034} the LORD {H3068} according to his righteousness {H6664}: and will sing praise {H2167} to the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} most high {H5945}.
I thank ADONAI for his righteousness and sing praise to the name of ADONAI 'Elyon.
I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
I will give thanks unto Jehovah according to his righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High.
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Psalms 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. -
Psalms 98:2
The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. -
Psalms 71:15
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof]. -
Psalms 71:16
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, [even] of thine only. -
Psalms 111:3
His work [is] honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. -
Psalms 92:8
But thou, LORD, [art most] high for evermore. -
Psalms 35:28
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 7:17 concludes a powerful psalm of David, expressing unwavering confidence and a resolute vow of praise to God, particularly in the face of adversity and false accusations. It encapsulates the psalmist's trust in divine justice and his commitment to worship.
Context of Psalm 7:17
Psalm 7 is a Maskil, an instructional psalm attributed to David, written during a time of intense personal distress due to false accusations (specifically from Cush the Benjamite, though his identity is debated, he symbolizes an unjust oppressor). Throughout the psalm, David appeals to the LORD as a righteous judge, asking God to vindicate him and punish his enemies. The psalm moves from lament and a plea for justice to a confident declaration of God's perfect judgment and ultimately, a promise of praise for His righteous acts. Verse 17 serves as the triumphant crescendo, the culmination of David's faith that God will indeed act justly.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "righteousness" (Hebrew: tzedaqah) in this context refers to God's inherent moral perfection, His just administration, and His saving acts that demonstrate His fidelity to His promises. Praising God "according to" His righteousness means His justice itself dictates the nature and extent of the praise. The title "Most High" (Hebrew: Elyon) is an ancient and profound name for God, often used to denote His transcendence and supreme authority, as seen in Melchizedek's blessing of Abram in Genesis 14:19.
Practical Application
Psalm 7:17 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When facing injustice, false accusations, or personal trials, this verse reminds us to anchor our hope and our praise in God's unchanging character. We can confidently appeal to God's righteousness, knowing that He sees, He judges, and He will ultimately act justly. Our praise should flow from an understanding of who God is—the righteous, sovereign, and faithful LORD. It encourages us to maintain a posture of worship even when waiting for God's vindication, trusting that His ways are always perfect, as echoed in Psalm 18:30.