Psalms 9:14

KJV

That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

KJV (with Strong's)

That I may shew forth {H5608} all thy praise {H8416} in the gates {H8179} of the daughter {H1323} of Zion {H6726}: I will rejoice {H1523} in thy salvation {H3444}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that I can proclaim all your praises at the gates of the daughter of Tziyon and rejoice in this deliverance of yours."

Berean Standard Bible

that I may declare all Your praises— that within the gates of Daughter Zion I may rejoice in Your salvation.

American Standard Version

That I may show forth all thy praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 9:14 encapsulates the psalmist's fervent desire to publicly and comprehensively declare God's praise, specifically for His acts of salvation and deliverance. This verse serves as a climactic expression of thanksgiving, promising open and communal worship within the sacred heart of Israel, driven by a deep, personal joy in the Lord's saving power. It highlights the inseparable link between experiencing divine intervention and responding with exuberant, visible adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 9 is a psalm of thanksgiving, traditionally attributed to David, celebrating God's righteous judgment and deliverance from enemies. The psalm opens with a personal vow of praise for God's wondrous works (vv. 1-2), transitions to a declaration of God's victory over the psalmist's foes (vv. 3-6), and then broadens to affirm God's eternal reign as a just judge and refuge for the oppressed (vv. 7-10). Following a call for others to praise the Lord (vv. 11-12) and a personal plea for deliverance from affliction (v. 13), verse 14 culminates the psalmist's response, expressing a profound and public commitment to praise God upon receiving His salvation. This verse serves as the personal, public response to the divine justice and deliverance described throughout the preceding verses, particularly the plea in [Psalms 9:13](/psalms/9-13 "Psalm 9:13 - The Plea for Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "the gates of the daughter of Zion" is deeply rooted in ancient Israelite culture. City gates were not merely entry points but served as the primary public squares, centers of civic life, commerce, legal proceedings, and social gathering. To "shew forth praise in the gates" meant to declare it openly, before all the community, making it a public testimony rather than a private devotion. "Daughter of Zion" is a poetic personification of Jerusalem, the capital city, and more significantly, the spiritual and religious center of Israel, where the Temple resided. This phrase evokes the sacred community and the place where God's presence was uniquely manifested. Therefore, the psalmist's desire is to offer praise at the very heart of Israelite public and spiritual life, underscoring the communal and covenantal nature of their relationship with God. The significance of Jerusalem as God's chosen city is a recurring theme, as seen in [Psalms 122](/psalms/122 "Psalm 122 - A Song of Ascents, A Prayer for Jerusalem").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several major themes present in Psalm 9 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, **Public Praise and Worship** is central, highlighting the psalmist's aspiration to openly declare God's attributes and deeds, not just in personal devotion but as a communal testimony. This public declaration reinforces faith within the community and witnesses to outsiders. Secondly, **Salvation and Deliverance** forms the bedrock of this praise. The "salvation" (Hebrew: *yeshu'ah*) refers to God's active intervention to rescue, preserve, and deliver His people from distress, enemies, or any form of oppression, reflecting God's character as a faithful deliverer. Thirdly, **Rejoicing** is presented as the natural and profound response to experiencing God's saving power. This joy is not superficial but deeply rooted in the assurance of God's faithfulness and His active presence in the lives of His people. Finally, **Zion's Significance** underscores the theological importance of Jerusalem as God's dwelling place and the focal point for Israel's worship and communal life, emphasizing that true praise is offered within the sacred community and its central hub, as God is enthroned on the praises of Israel, as mentioned in [Psalms 22:3](/psalms/22-3 "Psalm 22:3 - God Enthroned on the Praises of Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shew forth (Hebrew, _sāp̄ar'_):** This verb means "to count, recount, declare, narrate, proclaim." It implies a detailed and comprehensive recounting of God's mighty acts, not merely a general acknowledgment. The psalmist desires to enumerate or articulate *all* of God's praise, suggesting a full and thorough testimony of His character and deeds, particularly His saving interventions. This is a public declaration, a telling of the story of God's faithfulness.
* **Gates (Hebrew, _šaʿar'_):** In ancient Near Eastern cities, the gates were the hub of public life. They served as marketplaces, courts of law, meeting places for elders, and sites for public announcements. To praise God "in the gates" signifies a public, visible, and unashamed declaration before the entire community, not hidden away in private. It emphasizes the communal aspect of worship and testimony.
* **Daughter of Zion (Hebrew, _bat-ṣiyyôn'_):** This is a poetic personification of Jerusalem, often referring to its inhabitants or the city itself as a feminine entity. "Zion" is a metonym for Jerusalem, particularly the temple mount, symbolizing God's dwelling place and the spiritual center of His people. The phrase evokes a sense of intimacy and belonging, highlighting that this public praise is offered within the sacred community chosen by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That I may shew forth all thy praise":** This clause expresses the psalmist's deep-seated purpose and fervent desire. The phrase "all thy praise" is significant, indicating a comprehensive and unreserved declaration of God's attributes, His mighty works, and His faithfulness. It is a vow to articulate fully the reasons for God's glory and worthiness of adoration.
* **"in the gates of the daughter of Zion":** This specifies the chosen venue for the psalmist's public declaration. As discussed, the "gates" represent the most public and central places in the city, ensuring that the praise is heard by all. "Daughter of Zion" identifies the sacred community of Jerusalem, emphasizing that this is a communal act of worship, performed within the heart of God's chosen people.
* **"I will rejoice in thy salvation":** This second clause reveals the underlying motive and emotional response to God's acts. The psalmist's praise is not merely a duty but springs from a profound, personal joy ("I will rejoice") rooted in God's saving power and deliverance ("in thy salvation"). This joy is the natural overflow of experiencing God's active intervention and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 9:14 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The phrase "That I may shew forth..." functions as a **Purpose Clause**, clearly stating the psalmist's intention and the desired outcome of God's mercy (as requested in the preceding verse). The most prominent device is **Personification** in "the daughter of Zion," which poetically represents Jerusalem or its inhabitants as a feminine figure, endowing the city with a sense of identity and intimacy within the divine covenant. Furthermore, "the gates" can be understood as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (the gates) stands for the whole (the public life and communal sphere of the city), emphasizing the visibility and public nature of the praise. While not strict **Parallelism**, the two clauses of the verse ("That I may shew forth all thy praise..." and "I will rejoice in thy salvation") exhibit a cause-and-effect relationship or a complementary expression, where the public declaration of praise stems from and is fueled by personal joy in God's salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully connects the personal experience of God's salvation with the public declaration of His praise. It underscores a fundamental biblical truth: authentic faith and deliverance inevitably lead to worship that is not confined to private devotion but overflows into communal testimony. The psalmist's desire to "shew forth all thy praise" reflects the understanding that God's acts of salvation are meant to be proclaimed, not just for the individual's benefit, but for the edification of the community and the glory of God among all peoples. This public praise serves as a witness to God's justice, faithfulness, and power, reinforcing the covenant relationship and inviting others to acknowledge His sovereignty. The joy in salvation is the wellspring of this declaration, demonstrating that true worship is an outflow of gratitude and delight in God's character and deeds.
* [Psalms 34:1](/psalms/34-1 "Psalm 34:1 - I will bless the Lord at all times...")
* [Isaiah 12:4](/isaiah/12-4 "Isaiah 12:4 - Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name...")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - A sacrifice of praise continually")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 9:14 challenges believers today to consider the public dimension of their faith. In a world that often encourages privatized spirituality, the psalmist's fervent desire to "shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion" calls us to an open and unashamed declaration of God's goodness. Our personal experience of God's salvation – whether deliverance from sin, comfort in distress, or guidance in life – should naturally overflow into visible expressions of praise and testimony. This doesn't necessarily mean standing on a street corner, but it certainly implies that our joy in Christ should be evident in our daily lives, our conversations, and our interactions within our communities. Just as the ancient city gates were centers of public life, our contemporary "gates" include our workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and digital spaces. We are called to be witnesses, allowing our lives and words to proclaim the saving power of God, demonstrating that our deepest joy is found in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal experience of God's salvation translate into public expressions of praise and testimony in my daily life?**
* **What are the "gates" (public spheres, communities, or platforms) in my life where I am called to "shew forth" God's praise?**
* **Is my joy in God's salvation evident to those around me? How might I more intentionally allow that joy to lead to open declarations of His faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why is public praise so important in this verse?**

Answer: Public praise is crucial because it serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it fulfills the psalmist's vow to God, demonstrating a complete and unreserved response to divine deliverance. Secondly, it acts as a communal witness, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and strengthening their collective faith. In ancient Israel, public declarations in the city gates were a form of testimony and teaching, ensuring that God's mighty acts were remembered and celebrated by all. It is a declaration of God's sovereignty and a call for others to acknowledge Him, contributing to the glory of God among His people and beyond, as seen in [Psalms 105:1-2](/psalms/105-1 "Psalm 105:1-2 - Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name").

**What does "daughter of Zion" mean, and why is it significant?**

Answer: "Daughter of Zion" is a poetic and affectionate personification of Jerusalem, particularly the city's inhabitants or the sacred community centered around the Temple. It signifies the place where God's presence dwells and where His covenant people gather for worship. Its significance lies in emphasizing that the praise is offered within the context of God's chosen city and people, underscoring the communal, covenantal, and sacred nature of the worship. It represents the heart of Israel's spiritual identity, making the public declaration of praise all the more impactful and central to their collective life, as Jerusalem is often called the "city of our God" in [Psalms 48:1](/psalms/48-1 "Psalm 48:1 - Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised").

**How does the "salvation" mentioned here relate to the concept of salvation in the New Testament?**

Answer: In the Old Testament, "salvation" (Hebrew: *yeshu'ah*) often refers to physical deliverance from enemies, distress, or danger, as is likely the primary context in Psalms 9. However, this temporal and physical deliverance foreshadows the ultimate, spiritual, and eternal salvation offered through Jesus Christ in the New Testament. The Old Testament acts of salvation reveal God's character as a deliverer, preparing the way for the full revelation of His saving power in Christ's atoning work. Thus, the psalmist's joy in God's deliverance from earthly foes points forward to the believer's profound joy in being saved from sin and death through faith in Jesus, who is the very embodiment of God's salvation, as declared by Simeon in [Luke 2:30](/luke/2-30 "Luke 2:30 - Simeon's Song of Salvation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 9:14 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's desire to "shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion" for God's "salvation" points directly to the person and work of Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's saving power. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the supreme act of deliverance, offering not just temporal rescue but eternal redemption from sin and death. The "salvation" that the psalmist rejoices in is fully realized in the gospel, where God's ultimate victory over evil is secured through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). As believers, we are now called to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, becoming a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession," specifically "that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). The "gates of the daughter of Zion" foreshadow the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city, where the redeemed will eternally proclaim the praises of God and the Lamb, for there is no temple in it, because [the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - The New Jerusalem, No Temple"). Our present public praise, rooted in the joy of Christ's salvation, is a foretaste of that eternal worship, joining the chorus of heaven that declares [the Lamb is worthy](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb").

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

Psalms 13:5

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 106:2

Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? [who] can shew forth all his praise?

Psalms 20:5

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up [our] banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

Psalms 51:12

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

Psalms 35:9

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

1 Samuel 2:1

¶ And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

Isaiah 37:22

This [is] the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.