Psalm 27 6

Psalm 27:6 kjv

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Psalm 27:6 nkjv

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Psalm 27:6 niv

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Psalm 27:6 esv

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Psalm 27:6 nlt

Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the LORD with music.

Psalm 27 verses

Psalm 27 6 Meaning

Psalm 27:6 declares David's unwavering confidence and triumphant anticipation of God's vindication and protection amidst adversaries. He proclaims that his honor and status will be elevated above his encircling enemies, not by his own strength, but by divine power. This victory will culminate in fervent and joyful worship in God's presence, offering sacrifices of thanksgiving with exultant shouts and songs of praise to the LORD. It signifies a profound shift from expressed vulnerability to absolute assurance and responsive worship.

Psalm 27 6 Context

Psalm 27 opens with David's declaration of absolute confidence in God's protection, stating that God is his light, salvation, and strength, leaving no room for fear (vv. 1-3). His deepest desire is to dwell intimately in God's house, beholding His beauty and seeking His counsel (v. 4). This secure dwelling ensures refuge in times of trouble (v. 5). Verse 6 marks a pivot point: moving from current distress and a longing for intimacy to a declaration of future triumph and the consequent act of exuberant public worship. The Psalm then transitions into a fervent prayer for continued divine presence and help (vv. 7-12) and concludes with an exhortation to hope in the Lord (vv. 13-14), illustrating David's spiritual journey through faith, struggle, and renewed hope. Historically, it reflects a king or leader facing grave external threats, seeking refuge and vindication in the Lord's tabernacle, which represents God's active, protective presence among His people.

Psalm 27 6 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): This transitional conjunction marks a turning point from a state of questioning or distress to a confident declaration of faith and an anticipated future action. It signifies a decisive, immediate certainty of what will happen.

• my head shall be lifted up (יָרוּם רֹאשִׁי, yarum roshi): The "head" (rosh) symbolizes honor, status, authority, and vitality. To have one's head lifted up is an idiom signifying divine vindication, exaltation, triumph over adversaries, restoration of dignity, and renewed courage after a period of humiliation or distress.

• above my enemies (עַל־אֹיְבַי, al oy'vai): "Enemies" (oy'vai) refer to those who actively oppose or seek to harm David, whether physically, politically, or spiritually. The preposition "above" signifies complete supremacy and victory, implying not merely escape, but an elevated position of authority or safety over them.

• all around me (סְבִיבוֹתָי, s'vivotai): This phrase emphasizes the pervasive nature of the threat David faces – enemies surrounding him from every side. Conversely, it underscores the comprehensive and undeniable nature of God's protection and David's coming triumph, which covers every direction from which an attack could come.

• in his tent (בְּאָהֳלוֹ, b'oholo): Refers to the Tabernacle (or "tent of meeting") where God's presence dwelt among His people before the Temple was built. It is a consecrated place of worship, security, divine fellowship, and spiritual refuge, symbolizing the very heart of the covenant relationship. It points to a commitment to worship God in His established place.

• I will offer sacrifices (אֶזְבְּחָה זִבְחֵי, ezbechah zivchei): Specifically refers to voluntary offerings, likely "sacrifices of shouts of joy" (זִבְחֵי תְרוּעָה), which are offerings of thanksgiving or peace. These are not sin offerings, but expressions of gratitude and celebration for God's anticipated deliverance and goodness, offered out of a heart full of joy.

• with shouts of joy (תְרוּעָה, teruah): This powerful word signifies a loud cry, acclamation, shout of triumph, or trumpet blast. It is an expression of intense jubilation, exultation, and communal rejoicing, often associated with military victory, a king's coronation, or profound religious celebration.

• I will sing and make music (אָשִׁירָה וַאֲזַמְּרָה, ashirah va'azammerah): "Sing" (shir) means to perform vocal melody, while "make music" (zamar) implies singing with instrumental accompaniment or offering a psalm of praise. Together, they represent a holistic and fervent expression of worship through song and musical accompaniment.

• to the LORD (לַיהוָה, la'Yahweh): This designates Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as the sole and rightful recipient of this promised worship and thanksgiving. It underscores His sovereignty, faithfulness, and personal relationship with His people.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me": This confident declaration articulates a spiritual and psychological shift. It embodies absolute trust that despite being surrounded by adversaries, divine intervention will lead to complete vindication, restored dignity, and superiority over all opposition. It portrays a divine triumph.
  • "in his tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD": This second part outlines the responsive, grateful, and public worship that will follow the divine deliverance. It underscores David's commitment to returning to the central place of worship, not with somber duty, but with overwhelming joy and exuberance, pouring out praise and thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 27 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "head" (rosh) can also symbolize leadership or principal standing. Therefore, "my head shall be lifted up" could also implicitly mean David's kingship and authority will be reaffirmed and exalted by God in the sight of his adversaries. The "shouts of joy" (teruah) are akin to shouts of acclamation for a king or military victory shouts, underscoring the triumphal aspect. This links the personal salvation with David's divine appointment and national well-being, portraying the King's vindication as integral to the nation's security. This deep, joyous expression in the face of enemies serves as an act of defiance, demonstrating that God is greater than any opposition.

Psalm 27 6 Commentary

Psalm 27:6 stands as a bold proclamation of faith, transforming potential despair into a future-oriented triumph and joyful worship. David's statement, "my head shall be lifted up," is a powerful declaration of God's restorative work, signifying vindication and honor from the one true King. In a culture where defeat often meant public shame, this promise of having one's head "lifted up above enemies" points to a complete reversal, divinely orchestrated, beyond mere survival. The adversaries, surrounding him "all around me," indicate the overwhelming nature of the threats, yet this also emphasizes the completeness of God's promised victory over them.

The response to this anticipated deliverance is not self-congratulation but an immediate commitment to worship in "His tent," signifying the Tabernacle. This act highlights David's primary focus on God's dwelling place as the locus of security, intimacy, and worship, reaffirming the commitment expressed in verse 4. The nature of this worship is sacrificial, not for sin, but "sacrifices with shouts of joy," often referring to peace or thanksgiving offerings. This loud and fervent celebration—marked by the word teruah (a joyous shout or trumpet blast)—is not quiet contemplation but an overflowing, public display of exuberance and triumph in God. The commitment to "sing and make music" emphasizes that praise to the LORD is to be expressed with the fullest and most vibrant forms of artistic worship, a direct outflow of a grateful heart. The verse perfectly encapsulates the cyclical pattern of trust, deliverance, and worship found throughout the Psalms. It illustrates that genuine faith, when validated by divine deliverance, naturally erupts into effusive praise and dedication.

• Practical usage:
  • In times of feeling overwhelmed by challenges or spiritual attacks, recall that God promises to lift your head, to vindicate you.
  • Remember that anticipated deliverance should lead to joyful, proactive worship, expressed with enthusiasm and thanksgiving, whether alone or communally.
  • Prioritize spending time in "God's tent" – whether that's church, prayer, or quiet reflection – as a place of refuge and intimate fellowship, knowing true victory comes from Him.