Psalm 102:21 kjv
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
Psalm 102:21 nkjv
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem,
Psalm 102:21 niv
So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem
Psalm 102:21 esv
that they may declare in Zion the name of the LORD, and in Jerusalem his praise,
Psalm 102:21 nlt
And so the LORD's fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,
Psalm 102 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 2:2-3 | "It shall come to pass...the mountain of the house of the LORD...nations shall stream to it...Come, let us go up..." | Nations drawn to God's house/instruction in Zion. |
| Zech 8:20-22 | "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem..." | Global pilgrimage to seek God in Jerusalem. |
| Ps 86:9 | "All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name." | Universal worship and glorification of God's name. |
| Mal 1:11 | "For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations..." | God's name will be globally renowned. |
| Ps 113:3 | "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" | Universal praise for God's name. |
| Ps 9:11 | "Sing praises to the LORD who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples his deeds!" | Praising God in Zion and proclaiming His acts. |
| Isa 12:4 | "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples..." | Making God's deeds known to all nations. |
| Joel 3:16 | "The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem..." | God's divine proclamation from Zion. |
| Ps 102:16 | "For the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory." | God's building of Zion connected to His glory appearing. |
| Isa 60:1-3 | "Arise, shine, for your light has come...the glory of the LORD rises upon you...Nations will come to your light..." | Nations attracted to God's glory shining from Jerusalem. |
| Acts 1:8 | "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." | Gospel witness starts in Jerusalem and spreads globally. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "...name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue confess..." | Universal declaration of Jesus' lordship. |
| Rev 15:4 | "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you..." | All nations will fear, glorify, and worship God. |
| Heb 12:22-24 | "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..." | Believers' spiritual access to Mount Zion/heavenly Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:2, 10-27 | "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." | The ultimate divine dwelling for redeemed humanity. |
| Jn 4:21-24 | "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth..." | Shift to spiritual worship, but salvation from the Jews. |
| Amos 9:11-12 | "In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen...that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name..." | God rebuilding and restoring His people, involving nations (quoted in Acts 15:16-17). |
| Ps 48:1-2 | "Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain...Mount Zion..." | Praise and greatness of God centered in His holy mountain, Zion. |
| Isa 45:22-23 | "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!...to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance." | God's universal call to salvation and ultimate global homage. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness..." | The New Covenant people proclaim God's excellencies. |
| Exod 33:19 | "I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you..." | God Himself declares His name (character). |
| Ps 67:2 | "that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations." | God's desire for His saving power to be known globally. |
| Jer 3:17 | "At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it..." | Jerusalem as the center of divine governance for nations. |
| Ps 145:4-7 | "One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts...They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness..." | Generations declaring God's mighty acts and goodness. |
Psalm 102 verses
Psalm 102 21 Meaning
Psalm 102:21 envisions a future restoration of God's dwelling place, Zion, which will prompt a worldwide acknowledgment of His unique character and redemptive deeds. It declares that the purpose of this divine intervention is for humanity to publicly recount the identity of the LORD and vocalize His worthy attributes, particularly centered in the sacred cities of Zion and Jerusalem. This signifies a universal witness to God's majesty and praise, emanating from His chosen earthly abode.
Psalm 102 21 Context
Psalm 102 is a poignant lament by an afflicted soul, often seen as representing exiled Israel, wrestling with deep personal and communal suffering. Despite the despair in its opening verses, the psalm undergoes a remarkable theological shift, pivoting to God's eternal nature and faithfulness from verse 12 onwards. Verses 13-17 express fervent hope for God's intervention, declaring that the time for Zion's restoration has arrived. Verse 16, particularly, states that "the LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory." Against this backdrop of divine promise and future glory, verse 21 articulates the ultimate purpose of this promised restoration: a grand, universal manifestation of praise for God's name originating from and converging upon the rebuilt Zion/Jerusalem. It points to an eschatological age when God's saving acts will be universally acknowledged and celebrated in His chosen city.
Psalm 102 21 Word analysis
- that men may declare: The Hebrew for "declare" is sappēr (סַפֵּר), a verb meaning to count, tell, recount, or relate. It implies a detailed, thorough, and public narration, not merely a passing mention. The term "men" (עַמִּים, ammîm) refers to "peoples" or "nations," underscoring the universal scope of this declaration. It signifies that people from all backgrounds, including Gentiles, will come to acknowledge God.
- the name of the LORD: In Hebrew thought, "name" (שֵׁם, shem) signifies more than a mere appellation; it embodies the very essence, character, reputation, authority, and presence of a person. To "declare the name of the LORD" (shem YHWH) is to proclaim the totality of God's being—His power, faithfulness, holiness, sovereignty, and covenant promises. YHWH is the ineffable, covenantal Name of God, revealing His self-existence and active involvement in history.
- in Zion: Hebrew bĕTsiyyôn (בְּצִיּוֹן). Zion is a poetic and often prophetic term referring to Jerusalem, specifically the Temple Mount, the chosen dwelling place of God's presence (Ps 9:11). Its inclusion emphasizes Jerusalem's central role as the spiritual and geographical hub from which this global declaration will issue and to which the nations will be drawn. It represents God's redeemed community.
- and proclaim His praise: "Proclaim" here is a similar concept to "declare," often from the root nagad or hâlal (Praise here is תְּהִלָּתוֹ tĕhillātô). "His praise" (tĕhillāh) denotes both God's inherent gloriousness and the acclamation or thanksgiving rendered for His wondrous acts. Tĕhillāh is also the root of "Tehillim," the Hebrew name for the Book of Psalms (meaning "Praises"). It speaks to vocal, celebratory adoration in response to God's character and deeds.
- in Jerusalem: Hebrew ûbirûšālajim (וּבִירוּשָׁלָם). Jerusalem is the historic capital city, chosen by God as the place for His Temple and the seat of His kingship (Ps 132:13-14). Its parallel mention with Zion reinforces the precise earthly location from which this universal worship and testimony will spring, and to which nations will eventually gather to encounter the Living God.
Word Group Analysis
- "declare the name of the LORD" and "proclaim His praise": These phrases function in synonymous parallelism, intensifying the scope and nature of the public acknowledgment. "Declaring His name" speaks to the revelation and understanding of who God is, while "proclaiming His praise" signifies the resultant, outward expression of worship, gratitude, and glorification stemming from that revelation. Together, they form a comprehensive picture of acknowledging and exalting God.
- "in Zion" and "in Jerusalem": This pairing emphasizes the specific geographical and spiritual epicenter for this divine plan. It roots the universal aspiration for God's global renown in a physical location that is profoundly significant to God's covenant with Israel and His redemptive history. It underscores God's commitment to His chosen dwelling place as the launchpad for His ultimate glory among all peoples.
Psalm 102 21 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates a crucial theme throughout the Old Testament prophets: God's ultimate intention to gather all nations to Himself, centered in Jerusalem, His chosen city. While initially presented within the context of Israel's restoration, its emphasis on "peoples" or "nations" (אלה ammim) underscores God's grand redemptive plan for humanity beyond Israel alone. This is not just a restoration of Israel's honor but a universal display of God's glory through Israel. This prophecy finds profound resonance in the New Testament's understanding of the church as spiritual Israel, where believers, drawn from every tribe and tongue, come to "Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22), and where the Gospel commission starts from Jerusalem and extends "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Thus, the fulfillment is both spiritual in the present age of the Church and ultimate in the future eschatological reality of God's global kingdom.
Psalm 102 21 Commentary
Psalm 102:21 is a visionary utterance that anticipates the glorious outcome of God's sovereign work of restoring Zion, as mentioned in verse 16. It reveals that the ultimate purpose of this divine intervention is not merely the welfare of the afflicted or the restoration of a nation, but a comprehensive, universal recognition of God's identity and infinite worth. The declaration of God's "name"—His entire character and attributes—and the proclamation of His "praise"—His glorious deeds and inherent splendor—will emanate from Jerusalem and draw all peoples. This prophecy signifies a future time of unprecedented spiritual pilgrimage and worship, where God's unique identity will be globally acclaimed, transforming a world once estranged from Him into a choir of worshipers. This points to the consummation of God's redemptive plan through Christ, culminating in the establishment of His kingdom.