Psalm 107 32

Psalm 107:32 kjv

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psalm 107:32 nkjv

Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders.

Psalm 107:32 niv

Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

Psalm 107:32 esv

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psalm 107:32 nlt

Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation
and before the leaders of the nation.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 32 Meaning

Psalm 107:32 is a clarion call for the people to publicly acknowledge and magnify God for His goodness and marvelous deeds, specifically in the setting of corporate worship and under the guidance of wise leadership. It emphasizes communal thanksgiving and exaltation of the Lord, following His powerful acts of deliverance and restoration demonstrated throughout the preceding verses of the psalm.

Psalm 107 32 Context

Psalm 107 is a psalm of thanksgiving, specifically designed to celebrate God's steadfast love and wondrous works of deliverance. It presents four distinct scenarios of distress—wandering in the wilderness, imprisonment, sickness, and being caught in a storm at sea—each followed by the people's cry to the Lord, His miraculous rescue, and a concluding refrain calling for thanksgiving (vv. 8, 15, 21, 31). Following these four sections, the psalm shifts to highlight God's power over creation, judging the wicked by making fertile land barren and exalting the humble by providing streams and fruitful fields (vv. 33-38). Verse 32 is situated just before this final reflection on God's sovereignty over the earth and people, acting as the ultimate communal response to all the acts of deliverance described. It underscores that individual experiences of God's goodness should lead to corporate, public worship, confirming God's praise not just in personal gratitude but within the ordered and structured community of faith, often gathered for religious, social, and judicial purposes. Culturally, "the assembly of the elders" indicates the established leadership and the place where important community decisions, including public worship, took place.

Psalm 107 32 Word analysis

• Let them exalt (רוּם - rum): Literally "lift up" or "make high." This implies a public and grand declaration of God's eminence and glory, elevating Him above all. It signifies honor and magnify, demonstrating His supreme authority and goodness.
• him (אֹת֑וֹ - 'otō): Refers directly to the Lord, Yahweh, who has performed the "wonderful works" mentioned repeatedly throughout the psalm.
• also in the congregation (בִּקְהַל־עָ֑ם - b’qahal-am):
  • congregation (קָהָל - qahal): A formal assembly, often for religious or civil purposes. It denotes an organized gathering of people, distinct from a random crowd. Its usage frequently points to the assembled community of Israel.
  • of the people (עָם - am): The entire community or nation, implying that this praise is not exclusive but inclusive of all within the covenant people.
• and praise him (וּבְמוֹשַׁ֥ב זְקֵנִ֣ים - ūḇəmošav zeqēnîm):
  • praise (הָלַל - halal): To shine, boast, celebrate, rave about. This term conveys fervent and enthusiastic glorification of God.
  • in the assembly (וּבְמוֹשַׁ֥ב - u-v'moshav): Derived from יָשַׁב (yashav), to sit or dwell. It means a sitting, an abode, or an appointed session or assembly. Here it strongly suggests a formal, perhaps authoritative or judicial, gathering, where deliberations and significant declarations occur.
  • of the elders (זְקֵנִים - zeqenim): Refers to the old and wise men who served as leaders, judges, and advisors within the Israelite community. Their presence signifies authority, wisdom, and endorsement of the worship, leading by example.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people: This phrase calls for widespread, popular acclamation of God. It moves from individual gratitude to collective, public acknowledgment, signifying that God's wonderful deeds are meant to be openly declared among all His people, reinforcing communal faith and identity.
• and praise Him in the assembly of the elders: This emphasizes that the praise must not only be general but also specific and sanctioned by the recognized spiritual and community leadership. The "assembly of the elders" highlights the role of spiritual authorities in leading and validating corporate worship, ensuring its wisdom and orderliness. It points to a formal and authoritative context for worship.

Psalm 107 32 Bonus section

This verse implies the critical importance of a public, visible, and vocal expression of faith, serving as a powerful counter-narrative to a world that often ignores or attributes God's works to mere chance or human effort. The involvement of "elders" is not just about leadership; it reflects the deep respect for wisdom and tradition in guiding worship and passing on theological understanding. Their "assembly" implies a deliberative, considered approach to faith, integrating praise with communal life and discernment. The repetition of the call to praise God in Psalm 107 underscores that genuine thanksgiving requires concrete action—in this case, corporate worship—which becomes a means of strengthening communal bonds and reaffirming shared convictions about God's active involvement in human affairs.

Psalm 107 32 Commentary

Psalm 107:32 encapsulates the communal imperative to respond to God's manifested goodness. After detailing His mighty acts of rescue for various groups, the psalm crescendos to a call for universal, yet structured, worship. This verse emphasizes that praise to God is not solely a private devotion but a public, corporate act that involves the entire community ("congregation of the people") and is led or affirmed by its spiritual and wise leaders ("assembly of the elders"). This public declaration serves to edify the community, educate new generations about God's faithfulness, and offer a powerful testimony to those outside the faith. The dual emphasis on "the people" and "the elders" signifies that true worship is both widely embraced by the populace and respectfully guided by those in positions of spiritual authority, creating an orderly and unified expression of gratitude for the Lord's redemptive power and enduring mercy. It establishes that the worship of God should be central to community life, fostering both devotion and moral order.