Psalm 18 49

Psalm 18:49 kjv

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

Psalm 18:49 nkjv

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

Psalm 18:49 niv

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

Psalm 18:49 esv

For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.

Psalm 18:49 nlt

For this, O LORD, I will praise you among the nations;
I will sing praises to your name.

Psalm 18 verses

Psalm 18 49 Meaning

Psalm 18:49 expresses King David's profound gratitude to God for deliverance, victory, and sustained reign. As a result of God's mighty acts on his behalf, David declares his intent to publicize God's praise not only within Israel but also among the Gentile nations. This signifies that God's power and character are worthy of recognition and worship universally, extending beyond the covenant people. It is an acknowledgment that God's salvation has implications for all peoples.

Psalm 18 49 Context

Psalm 18 is a deeply personal and royal psalm of thanksgiving, almost identical to 2 Samuel 22. It celebrates God's miraculous deliverance of King David from all his enemies, including King Saul. The psalm begins by establishing David's intimate love and reliance on the Lord (vv. 1-3). He then recounts his dire distress, the "cords of death" that surrounded him (vv. 4-6), followed by a dramatic description of God's majestic intervention (vv. 7-19). God, as a divine Warrior, descends from heaven to rescue David. The psalm then transitions to David's righteous conduct, which God vindicates (vv. 20-30), followed by an extended segment on God empowering David for battle and granting him victory over formidable foes (vv. 31-45). David subdues peoples and achieves dominion. Verse 49, therefore, is a culmination of this testimony: having experienced unparalleled divine salvation and universal triumph, David's response is to broadcast God's glory and praiseworthiness beyond the boundaries of Israel to all nations. This anticipates God's broader redemptive plan for humanity.

Psalm 18 49 Word analysis

• Therefore (לָכֵן, lākhēn):
  • Indicates consequence and logical conclusion. Because of the great deliverance and universal victories God granted David (described in the preceding verses), this action of praise is the fitting and necessary response. It connects personal experience with universal proclamation.
• I will give thanks (אוֹדְךָ, ’ôdekhā):
  • From the root יָדָה (yāḏâ).
  • Significance: Often translated as "praise," "give thanks," or "confess." It denotes an acknowledgment of God's goodness, power, and righteous acts. This "giving thanks" is not passive but an active declaration, often involving public proclamation and lifting of hands. It expresses gratitude for God's personal vindication of David.
• to You (לְךָ, l’khā):
  • Direct address, personal and intimate, despite the public context. The praise is directly oriented to Yahweh.
• O LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH):
  • The covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and redemptive nature. By praising YHWH, David emphasizes the distinct identity and power of Israel's God, contrasting Him with the idols of the nations.
• among the Gentiles (בַּגּוֹיִם, baggōyim):
  • gôyim (גּוֹיִם) refers to nations or peoples, especially non-Israelite nations.
  • Significance: This is a pivotal phrase. It breaks the geographical and spiritual boundary, indicating that God's redemptive work through David (and later, prophetically, through Christ) is not confined to Israel but has a universal scope. David's victories bring God's name into the awareness of pagan peoples, providing an opportunity for witness and knowledge of the one true God.
• And sing praises (וַאֲזַמְּרָה, wa’ăzammĕrâ):
  • From the root זָמַר (zāmar).
  • Significance: Denotes praise through music, song, and melodic adoration. It's a joyful, celebratory form of worship that often accompanies public proclamation. It implies a jubilant declaration of God's worth.
• to Your name (לִשְׁמֶךָ, lishmêkhā):
  • shēm (שֵׁם) means name, but in a biblical context, "name" represents the sum total of one's character, essence, authority, and revealed nature.
  • Significance: To sing praises to God's name means to praise all that God is – His power, righteousness, faithfulness, wisdom, and love – as demonstrated in His acts of salvation. It is about declaring God's reputation and attributes.

Psalm 18 49 Bonus section

The Messianic fulfillment of Psalm 18 is crucial for understanding verse 49 fully. While initially describing David, the psalm is widely interpreted by both Jewish and Christian tradition as speaking of the Messiah. Christ, as the ultimate deliverer and King, embodies the universal triumph hinted at in this verse. His death and resurrection are the definitive victories that make praise "among the Gentiles" truly possible, removing the barrier between Jew and Gentile, and bringing all peoples into a unified body of worshipers. Paul's direct quotation of this verse in Rom 15:9 emphasizes that Gentile inclusion in God's people (the church) is not a new or surprising development, but a long-foretold divine purpose. Therefore, Psalm 18:49 stands as an early expression of God's global missionary heart, prefiguring the Great Commission and the multi-ethnic composition of the redeemed community gathered around God's throne in Revelation.

Psalm 18 49 Commentary

Psalm 18:49 serves as a theological bridge, connecting David's personal deliverance with God's global redemptive plan. Having experienced ultimate victory over his enemies through the LORD's direct intervention, David feels compelled not just to celebrate privately but to broadcast God's mighty deeds and matchless character "among the Gentiles." This is remarkable for an Old Testament king, as it transcends a mere nationalistic triumph. It implicitly contrasts the living God with the impotent deities of the surrounding nations, declaring Yahweh's supremacy to the very peoples David conquered. The use of "give thanks" and "sing praises" indicates a full-hearted, joyful, and public adoration stemming from a profound gratitude. "To Your name" highlights that the praise is for God's very being and all He has revealed about Himself through His actions. The New Testament's citation of this verse by Paul in Romans 15:9 confirms its prophetic and universal implications, showing that David's psalm foretold the inclusion of Gentiles in the worship of the Messiah, truly fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham that "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen 12:3). Thus, it underscores a core biblical theme: God's salvation is ultimately for all humanity, not just one nation.

• Practical usage: This verse encourages believers today not only to praise God for their personal victories and deliverances but also to recognize the universal scope of His grace. Our personal testimonies should fuel our desire to make God known to those outside the faith, demonstrating His power and goodness to all "nations" (unbelievers or people of different backgrounds).