Psalm 108 1

Psalm 108:1 kjv

O god, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psalm 108:1 nkjv

A Song. A Psalm of David. O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

Psalm 108:1 niv

A song. A psalm of David. My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Psalm 108:1 esv

My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!

Psalm 108:1 nlt

My heart is confident in you, O God;
no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!

Psalm 108 verses

Psalm 108 1 Meaning

Psalm 108:1 is a fervent declaration of King David's resolved and unwavering heart towards God. It expresses a deep personal commitment to worship and praise God with absolute dedication and his entire being, preparing himself for complete devotion before addressing his needs. It is a vow that his internal disposition and his external expression of worship are fully aligned and directed solely towards the Almighty.

Psalm 108 1 Context

Psalm 108 is a composite psalm, formed by combining passages from Psalm 57:7-11 (for vv. 1-5) and Psalm 60:5-12 (for vv. 6-13). It is attributed to David. The opening verse sets the tone, acting as a foundational declaration of personal devotion and resolve, establishing the singer's state of mind before presenting the petition for deliverance that follows in the rest of the psalm. David, possibly facing military challenges or national distress, first anchors himself in God with a steadfast heart and a commitment to worship, understanding that true praise must precede and empower fervent prayer and trust in God's promises for victory.

Psalm 108 1 Word analysis

• "My heart" (לִבִּי, libbiy): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (לֵב, lev) is not merely the seat of emotions, but the core of a person's being—the center of intellect, will, reason, conscience, and moral choice. It encompasses one's innermost self. David is declaring a commitment from the very core of his existence.
• "is steadfast" (נָכוֹן, nakhon): This Hebrew word means "fixed," "firm," "established," "prepared," or "ready." It implies an unmovable and unwavering state of mind and purpose. It speaks to resolve and constancy, in contrast to a wavering or divided heart. The heart is prepared for its intended purpose: to worship God.
• "O God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): A general but profound name for God, emphasizing His divine power, majesty, and authority. The psalmist directs his unwavering commitment and worship toward the sovereign God, the ultimate object of his praise.
• "I will sing" (אָשִׁירָה, 'ashirah): This is a strong declaration in the future tense, signifying a deliberate and committed act of worship through song. It implies joyful and public praise.
• "and make music" (וַאֲזַמְּרָה, wa'azammerah): This complements "sing," often implying praise with instruments, particularly stringed ones (as in a psalm/song played to a stringed instrument, mizmor). It indicates active, outward expression of devotion, adding to the vibrancy and fullness of the worship.
• "with all my soul" (אַף כְּבוֹדִי, 'af kevodi): This is a nuanced phrase.
  • ’af: "indeed," "even," "surely," adds emphatic force.
  • kevodi: "my glory" or "my honor." In poetic and psalmic contexts (like Ps 16:9, 30:12, 57:8), "my glory" often refers to one's soul, spirit, or innermost being—the part of a person that most genuinely reflects the image of God and offers profound praise. Thus, "with all my soul" accurately captures the intent: to worship God with one's entire self, with everything that makes one glorious or worthy, with the fullest, deepest capacity of one's inner being, not just superficially.

• "My heart is steadfast, O God": This opening phrase is a profound personal affirmation of the psalmist’s internal state. It is a declaration of his resolute commitment and unyielding devotion, acknowledging that this inner resolve is oriented towards and anchored in God. This spiritual alignment is foundational for all subsequent actions and prayers.
• "I will sing and make music": This clause outlines the immediate, volitional actions that flow from the steadfast heart. It is a direct result of the internal disposition—the outward expression of inner praise. The pairing suggests a comprehensive and dynamic act of worship, engaging both voice and possibly instrument, performed with intentionality.
• "with all my soul" / "even my glory": This final phrase emphasizes the totality and depth of the worship. It ensures that the singing and music-making are not merely external acts but originate from the very core of the psalmist’s being. It signifies a complete, unreserved dedication where every facet of the self is offered in praise, making the worship genuine and all-encompassing.

Psalm 108 1 Bonus section

This verse (Ps 108:1) is nearly identical to Ps 57:7, highlighting the significance of the "steadfast heart" as a recurring theme in David's laments and prayers. It suggests that even in distress or awaiting God's intervention, a true worshiper first establishes his heart in faithful commitment to the Lord. This self-declaration of resolve transforms potential fear or doubt into a platform for genuine praise, acting as a spiritual preparation before entering into a specific prayer request. This steadfastness of heart in anticipation of God's action exemplifies an essential posture for the believer, emphasizing trust over despair, and worship as foundational for receiving God's promises.

Psalm 108 1 Commentary

Psalm 108:1 is a powerful declaration of resolved devotion, setting the stage for a plea to God for deliverance. David's proclamation, "My heart is steadfast, O God," signifies a fixed and prepared inner resolve before the Lord. This is not a request for steadfastness, but a confident assertion of it. His heart—the seat of his will, intellect, and emotion—is fully aligned with God's purpose. This settled state leads to an unreserved commitment: "I will sing and make music." The desire for worship is not conditional but an inevitable outpouring of a heart established in God. Furthermore, "with all my soul" (or "my glory") underlines that this praise emanates from the deepest core of his being, a complete and sincere offering, holding nothing back. This verse serves as a model: true and effective worship and prayer stem from a spirit already settled and focused on God.