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Psalms 89:16

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In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

In thy name {H8034} shall they rejoice {H1523}{H8799)} all the day {H3117}: and in thy righteousness {H6666} shall they be exalted {H7311}{H8799)}.

They rejoice in your name all day and are lifted up by your righteousness,

They rejoice in Your name all day long, and in Your righteousness they exult.

In thy name do they rejoice all the day; And in thy righteousness are they exalted.

Commentary

Psalms 89:16 (KJV) declares a profound truth about the source of lasting joy and true elevation for those who walk in God's favor. It highlights that genuine rejoicing and ultimate exaltation come not from human effort or worldly circumstances, but directly from the character and faithfulness of the Almighty.

Context

Psalm 89 is a "Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite," a wisdom psalm that begins with a passionate declaration of God's enduring covenant faithfulness, particularly to David and his lineage (see Psalms 89:3-4). The first part of the psalm (verses 1-18) praises God's majesty, power, and righteousness, celebrating the blessings of those who know Him. Verse 16 falls within this celebratory section, describing the privileged state of those who are in covenant relationship with such a great God. However, the psalm dramatically shifts in tone from verse 38 onwards, lamenting the apparent failure of the Davidic covenant due to national distress. This makes verse 16 even more poignant, standing as a reminder of God's ideal and unchanging nature, even when human circumstances seem to contradict His promises.

Key Themes

  • Joy in God's Name: The phrase "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day" signifies that the source of true, enduring joy is not external fortune but the very essence, character, and revealed attributes of God. His name represents His power, holiness, love, and faithfulness. This joy is not fleeting but continuous, "all the day," implying a constant state of spiritual delight regardless of outward trials. This resonates with the call to rejoice in the Lord always.
  • Exaltation through Divine Righteousness: "And in thy righteousness shall they be exalted" teaches that any true lifting up, honor, or promotion comes from God's just and faithful character, not from human merit or worldly achievements. It is God's unwavering commitment to what is right and His faithfulness to His promises that elevate His people. This contrasts sharply with worldly ambition, emphasizing that our ultimate standing is derived from His perfect standard and grace, often seen as the righteousness of God given to believers.
  • God's Covenant Faithfulness: Underlying both themes is the foundational truth of God's unwavering faithfulness. Even as the psalm later expresses lament, this verse affirms the blessings available to those who trust in the God who is true to His word and righteous in all His dealings.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "name" (shem) often refers to more than just a title; it encapsulates God's entire being, His reputation, authority, and revealed character (cf. Exodus 34:6-7). Rejoicing "in thy name" means finding joy in who God is.
  • "Rejoice" comes from the Hebrew root gil or alah, which denotes exuberant, circling joy, a deep delight that causes one to leap or spin with gladness.
  • "Righteousness" (tzedeq or tzedaqah) refers to God's inherent justice, integrity, and His conformity to His own perfect standard. It also implies His faithfulness to His covenant obligations.
  • "Exalted" (rum or nasa) means to be lifted up, raised high, or honored. This exaltation is a divine act, flowing from God's own character.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 89:16 offers profound comfort and guidance:

  • A Source of Constant Joy: We are encouraged to root our joy not in fleeting circumstances or material possessions, but in the unchanging character of God. Knowing His power, love, and faithfulness provides a wellspring of joy that sustains us through all seasons of life. This is the "joy of the Lord" that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
  • True Exaltation is God-Given: The verse reminds us that genuine honor and lasting significance come from God. Instead of striving for self-exaltation or worldly recognition, we should humble ourselves under His mighty hand, trusting that He will exalt us in due time (cf. 1 Peter 5:6). Our worth and standing are secured by His righteousness, not our own.
  • Living in His Light: To walk in the light of God's countenance (as mentioned in the preceding verse, Psalms 89:15) means to live in conscious awareness of His presence and approval. This awareness fuels our joy and assures us of His protective and elevating hand.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Philippians 4:4 (8 votes)

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

  • Philippians 3:9 (8 votes)

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  • Psalms 89:12 (6 votes)

    The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 (6 votes)

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • Psalms 29:7 (6 votes)

    The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

  • Luke 1:47 (6 votes)

    And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

  • Psalms 40:10 (5 votes)

    I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.