Psalms 97:12

KJV

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rejoice {H8055} in the LORD {H3068}, ye righteous {H6662}; and give thanks {H3034} at the remembrance {H2143} of his holiness {H6944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rejoice in ADONAI, you righteous; and give thanks on recalling his holiness.

Berean Standard Bible

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name.

American Standard Version

Be glad in Jehovah, ye righteous; And give thanks to his holy memorial name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 97:12 is a powerful divine injunction, calling the covenant people of God—the righteous—to express profound joy and gratitude. This exhortation is not based on fleeting circumstances but is deeply rooted in the unchanging, transcendent character of God, particularly His absolute holiness. It encapsulates the truth that authentic worship, characterized by unbridled rejoicing and heartfelt thanksgiving, flows directly from a reverent apprehension and remembrance of who God is in His perfect, set-apart nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 97 is part of a significant collection (Psalms 93-99) often identified as "Enthronement Psalms," which collectively proclaim and celebrate the LORD's universal reign and majestic sovereignty over all creation. The psalm opens with a declaration of God's kingship and the earth's joyous response (verse 1), followed by vivid imagery of His awesome, cloud-shrouded presence, His righteous judgments, and the consuming fire that precedes Him (verses 2-5). It then contrasts the shame of idolaters with the joy of Zion and Judah at God's just acts (verses 6-9). Amidst these declarations of divine power and righteousness, and the call to hate evil (verse 10), verse 12 serves as a direct, imperative exhortation to God's faithful people, prompting them to respond with appropriate worship and adoration, contrasting sharply with the futile worship of idols mentioned earlier in [Psalm 97:7](/psalms/97-7 "Psalm 97:7 - Idolaters Put to Shame").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalms were integral to the worship life of ancient Israel, sung in temple rituals, festivals, and private devotion. The concept of God as King (Yahweh-Malak) was central to their understanding of divine authority and covenant relationship, particularly in a Near Eastern world teeming with polytheistic beliefs and competing deities. The emphasis on God's holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, _qōdeš_) would have resonated deeply within a culture where ritual purity and separation were paramount in approaching the divine. This holiness set Yahweh apart from all pagan gods, who were often depicted with human vices. The call to "rejoice" and "give thanks" reflects the communal and individual expressions of worship that characterized Israelite piety, often accompanied by music, dance, and sacrificial offerings, all directed toward the one true, holy God.
* **Key Themes:**
* **Divine Joy and Command:** The opening command "Rejoice in the LORD" is not merely an emotional suggestion but a spiritual imperative, indicating that joy in God is a commanded response to His character and reign. This joy is not circumstantial but is rooted in God's unchanging nature and His sovereign rule, serving as a constant wellspring for believers. This echoes similar exhortations found throughout Scripture, such as Paul's consistent command to find joy in the Lord, famously reiterated in [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always").
* **The Identity of the Righteous:** The call is specifically addressed to "ye righteous." In the Old Testament, the "righteous" (צַדִּיקִים, _ṣaddîqîm_) are those who live in covenant faithfulness to God, striving to obey His laws and walk in His ways. Their righteousness is fundamentally a gift of God, often imputed by faith, as seen in figures like Abraham, and then demonstrated through their conduct and adherence to God's revealed will. This theme is central to understanding the blessedness described in [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous"), where the LORD knows the way of the righteous.
* **The Foundation of Thanksgiving: God's Holiness:** The instruction to "give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness" highlights the ultimate reason for gratitude. God's holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, _qōdeš_) signifies His absolute purity, moral perfection, and His complete separation from all that is sinful and profane. It encompasses His majesty, righteousness, and inherent glory, making Him utterly unique and distinct from creation. Remembering this attribute evokes awe, reverence, and profound thankfulness, as it is His holiness that makes Him worthy of worship and distinct from all creation. The repeated declaration of "Holy, holy, holy" in [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - The Seraphim's Cry of Holiness") further underscores its supreme importance as the core of God's being.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoice (Hebrew, _gîlû'_):** This verb carries the sense of exulting, being glad, or shouting for joy. It implies an outward, exuberant expression of inner delight. It's not a passive feeling but an active, commanded response, often associated with a deep sense of deliverance or celebration of God's character and acts.
* **Give thanks (Hebrew, _hôdû'_):** This verb means to praise, laud, confess, or give thanks. It often involves acknowledging God's attributes or deeds, particularly His goodness and faithfulness. It's an act of public or private acknowledgment of God's worthiness, flowing from a recognition of His character.
* **Holiness (Hebrew, _qōdeš'_):** This noun signifies "separation," "sacredness," or "apartness." When applied to God, it speaks not only of His moral purity and absolute righteousness but also of His transcendent nature, His uniqueness, and His absolute distinction from everything else. It is the essence of His divine being that demands reverence, awe, and worship, as He is utterly set apart from all creation and all sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Rejoice in the LORD":** This is a direct imperative, a command to find one's supreme joy and delight in Yahweh Himself, not in circumstances, possessions, or human achievements. It implies a deep, abiding satisfaction and exultation that stems from His person and character, rather than from what He provides. This joy is a spiritual discipline and a commanded response to His sovereignty and goodness.
* **"ye righteous":** The command is specifically addressed to those who are in a right relationship with God. In the Old Testament, the "righteous" are those who have been justified by faith and whose lives reflect a commitment to God's covenant and His ways. This indicates that true joy in the LORD is intrinsically linked to a life of obedience and faithfulness, and it is the proper response of those who belong to Him.
* **"and give thanks":** This second imperative complements the first, moving from joy to gratitude. It is a call to express verbal and heartfelt appreciation to God. Thanksgiving is an active acknowledgment of God's goodness, His acts, and His very nature. It is a necessary component of worship, demonstrating humility and recognition of divine provision and character.
* **"at the remembrance of his holiness":** This clause provides the specific foundation and impetus for the thanksgiving. The "remembrance" (זֵכֶר, _zēḵer_) implies active recollection, meditation, and a conscious bringing to mind of God's attributes. The specific attribute to be remembered is His "holiness" (קֹDֶשׁ, _qōdeš_), which is His essential, set-apart, perfect, and pure nature. It is because God is holy that He is worthy of all praise and thanks; His holiness undergirds His justice, love, and power, making Him supremely worthy of adoration.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 97:12 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in "Rejoice" (גִּילוּ) and "give thanks" (הוֹדוּ), which are direct commands, underscoring that joy and gratitude in the Lord are not optional suggestions but divinely mandated responses. This creates a sense of urgency and obligation for the worshiper. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically synthetic parallelism, where the second clause ("and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness") expands upon and completes the thought of the first ("Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous"). While not strictly synonymous, the two commands are complementary aspects of true worship. Furthermore, the phrase "remembrance of his holiness" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where "remembrance" stands for the active contemplation and acknowledgment of God's holy character, and "holiness" represents the entire essence of God's divine perfection that evokes worship. Finally, the direct address "ye righteous" is an example of **Apostrophe**, as the psalmist turns from describing God's reign to directly exhorting a specific group of people, making the call to worship personal and immediate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 97:12 profoundly connects the act of worship with the character of God, establishing His holiness as the ultimate foundation for all joy and gratitude. Theologically, it asserts that genuine human flourishing and spiritual well-being are inextricably linked to a God-centered orientation, where delight is found in His person rather than His provisions, and thanksgiving flows from an apprehension of His inherent purity and majesty. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God's holiness is not merely an abstract attribute but the very essence that defines His being and commands the reverence of His creation. It implies that true righteousness leads to a proper worship response, and that a life of thanksgiving is cultivated through intentional remembrance of God's set-apart nature. This call to rejoice and give thanks in the Lord's holiness resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that worship is a holistic response of the righteous to their holy God.

* [1 Chronicles 16:29](/1_chronicles/16-29 "1 Chronicles 16:29 - Worship the LORD in Holy Array")
* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Psalm 30:4](/psalms/30-4 "Psalm 30:4 - Sing Praise to the LORD, You His Saints")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 97:12 offers a timeless and profound challenge for believers today, urging us to re-center our joy and gratitude not on shifting circumstances, but on the unchanging, perfect character of God. In a world that often ties happiness to external factors, this verse calls us to cultivate a radical, internal joy that is rooted in the Lord Himself. It reminds us that our thanksgiving is most authentic when it stems from a conscious "remembrance" of God's holiness—His absolute purity, moral perfection, and His unique, set-apart nature. This means intentionally meditating on who God is, allowing His majesty and righteousness to fill us with awe and gratitude, transforming our perspective even in difficult times. For those who are "righteous" by faith in Christ, this verse is a call to live out that righteousness in worship, allowing our lives to be a continuous expression of joy and thanks for the holy God who has redeemed us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's holiness deepen your capacity for joy and gratitude, especially when circumstances are challenging?**
* **In what practical ways can you intentionally "remember" God's holiness throughout your day, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to heartfelt adoration?**
* **What does it mean for your daily life and actions to be among the "righteous" who are specifically called to this unique expression of joy and thanksgiving?**

### FAQ

**What does "rejoice in the LORD" truly mean beyond mere emotion?**

Answer: "Rejoice in the LORD" (גִּילוּ בַיהוָה, _gîlû bāYHWH_) is more than a fleeting emotion; it is a profound spiritual disposition and a commanded act of worship. It signifies finding one's ultimate delight, satisfaction, and exultation in God's person, character, and sovereign rule, rather than in external circumstances or personal achievements. It implies a settled joy that persists regardless of outward conditions, rooted in the unchanging nature of the Almighty. This joy is an active choice and a spiritual discipline, a conscious turning of the heart towards God as the source of all good, as seen in passages like [Habakkuk 3:18](/habakkuk/3-18 "Habakkuk 3:18 - Yet I Will Rejoice in the LORD"). It is the proper response of those who recognize His supreme worth and goodness.

**Why is "holiness" emphasized as the basis for thanksgiving in this verse?**

Answer: God's "holiness" (קֹדֶשׁ, _qōdeš_) is emphasized as the basis for thanksgiving because it is His foundational attribute, encompassing His absolute moral purity, His transcendent majesty, and His complete separation from all sin and imperfection. It is the essence of His divine being that makes Him utterly unique and worthy of all worship. When we "remember" His holiness, we are recalling that He is perfect in justice, love, and power, and that all His actions flow from this perfect nature. Our gratitude is not just for what He does, but for who He is—the Holy One. This attribute distinguishes Him from all false gods and highlights His inherent worthiness of our praise and thanks, as expressed in [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - The Seraphim's Cry of Holiness") and [Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 97:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment and revelation of God's holiness, the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" as described in [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory"). It is through Christ that we, who were once unrighteous, are made "righteous" in God's sight, not by our own merit but by His atoning sacrifice ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). This imputed righteousness enables us to truly "rejoice in the LORD" with a joy that is full and complete, a joy Jesus Himself promised His disciples ([John 15:11](/john/15-11 "John 15:11 - Jesus' Joy in Us")). Furthermore, His perfect life and sacrificial death have made it possible for us to approach a holy God without fear, allowing us to "give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness" with hearts cleansed and made holy through Him ([Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Reconciled in Christ")). In Christ, the call to rejoice and give thanks in God's holiness becomes not just an Old Testament command, but a New Covenant reality, as we worship the Lamb who is eternally holy and worthy of all praise ([Revelation 5:12](/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 30:4

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.

Psalms 32:11

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.

Psalms 33:1

¶ Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.

Hebrews 12:10

For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

Zephaniah 3:14

¶ Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.