Psalm 30 12

Psalm 30:12 kjv

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Psalm 30:12 nkjv

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalm 30:12 niv

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:12 esv

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Psalm 30:12 nlt

that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 12 Meaning

Psalm 30:12 expresses the psalmist's profound and perpetual gratitude to God following a miraculous deliverance from distress or near death. It signifies a radical transformation from silence and despair into continuous, joyful, and eternal praise from the deepest part of his being, acknowledging God's personal faithfulness and saving power. It is a vow of unending thanksgiving as a response to divine favor.

Psalm 30 12 Context

Psalm 30 is titled "A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David." While its historical setting as a "song at the dedication of the temple" might be a later superscription, the psalm itself is clearly a thanksgiving psalm for divine deliverance from a severe life-threatening illness or profound distress (v. 2-3, 9). The psalmist, presumed to be David, describes being at the brink of death (v. 3, 9), crying out to the LORD (v. 2, 8). God heard his plea and miraculously restored him, turning his sorrow and mourning into dancing and joy (v. 11). Verse 12 serves as the pinnacle of the psalmist's renewed life—a perpetual, heart-felt response of unending praise and thanksgiving, confirming God's faithfulness and covenant loyalty. This is the direct, unreserved outcome of God's saving grace.

Psalm 30 12 Word analysis

• that (לְמַעַן, lĕmaʿan): Introduces the purpose or result of God's transformative action (v. 11). The preceding verses describe God's turning mourning into dancing, and this verse explains why—so that praise might ensue.
• my glory (כְּבוֹדִי, kĕvōdī): This significant Hebrew term, kavod, literally means 'weight,' 'honor,' or 'dignity.' In this context, it often refers to the psalmist's inner being, his soul (like nephesh), or his very life force. It is not merely the mouth but the entire self, the essence of who he is, that is now empowered and dedicated to praise. Some ancient commentators have interpreted kavod as referring to the liver, seen as a vital organ or seat of emotions. Regardless, it emphasizes that this praise emanates from the deepest core of his being.
• may sing your praise (יְזַמֶּרְךָ, yĕzammerkha): From the root zamar, meaning "to sing, praise, make music." It implies a melodic, active, and joyful vocalization of praise, often accompanied by instruments. It signifies an intentional and vibrant expression of worship.
• and not be silent (וְלֹא יִדֹּם, vĕlō’ yiddōm): Didom means "to be silent, cease, or be still." The negation "not silent" emphatically highlights the cessation of lament and a commitment to continuous praise. Affliction often silenced the psalmist's joy; now, deliverance has enabled ceaseless worship.
• O LORD my God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהָי, YHWH ʾĕlōhāy):
  • LORD (YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His unchanging, eternal, and relational faithfulness. It speaks of God as the Great "I AM."
  • my God (ʾĕlōhāy): The possessive suffix indicates a deeply personal and intimate relationship. It's a declaration of personal allegiance, trust, and belonging to the Creator and Sustainer of life. This phrase underscores the foundation of his gratitude in a direct, living relationship with God.
• I will give you thanks (אוֹדְךָ, ʾôdekhā): From the root yadah, which means "to thank, praise, confess, give acknowledgment." It often involves raising hands in an act of open and public recognition of God's deeds and character. It's an active acknowledgment of divine intervention and goodness.
• forever! (לְעוֹלָם, lĕʿōlām): This term denotes eternity, perpetuity, or unending duration. It expresses an eternal commitment, suggesting that the praise is not momentary or circumstantial but an everlasting state, an unending stream of gratitude that defines his very existence.

Words-group analysis:

• "that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent": This phrase encapsulates the complete turnaround and the new purpose of his transformed life. His very essence, once silenced by distress, is now devoted to vocal and ceaseless praise. It’s a holistic response, involving mind, heart, and spirit.
• "O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!": This concluding vow firmly grounds the perpetual praise in a deep, personal covenant relationship with the living God. It expresses ultimate allegiance and a steadfast resolve to maintain this posture of gratitude throughout his life and beyond. The personal address highlights the relational aspect, while "forever" signifies the eternal scope of his devotion.

Psalm 30 12 Bonus section

The Hebrew understanding of kavod (glory) can be rich, extending beyond simple honor to encompass the manifest presence and substantial weight of a being. When the psalmist speaks of "my glory" singing praise, it implies a weighty, significant, and full expression of his being. It's not light or fleeting praise but deeply substantial. This links the human kavod with God's kavod, suggesting that humanity's true glory is found in reflecting God's glory through praise.

This verse also highlights the foundational principle that thanksgiving is a natural and expected response to divine rescue. It serves as a spiritual thermometer, indicating a soul alive and vibrant in its connection to God. The absence of praise or silence, as implied by the phrase "and not be silent," could indicate spiritual distress or distance from God. Therefore, continuous praise becomes a testament to God's active presence and power in a believer's life, echoing throughout eternity.

Psalm 30 12 Commentary

Psalm 30:12 is a climactic expression of praise arising from profound deliverance. After enduring the shadow of death and experiencing the anguish that often silenced his worship, the psalmist is moved to a continuous, overflowing song of thanksgiving. The phrase "my glory" reaching out to praise suggests that the entire person—not just lips or fleeting emotions, but the innermost being—is consecrated to this unending act of worship. This radical transformation from silence to singing and from despair to declaration defines the essence of biblical worship born out of saving grace. The personal address "O LORD my God" underscores the intimate, covenantal bond that empowers this praise, emphasizing that the God who saves is intimately known and personally adored. "Forever" signifies that this thanksgiving is not just for the moment of salvation but for all eternity, marking a profound shift in perspective from temporal suffering to an eternal relationship of gratitude. It speaks to a life committed to ongoing adoration, regardless of future circumstances, because of the eternal character and unchanging faithfulness of God.

Example: Just as a rescued child endlessly praises their parent, the psalmist, saved from distress, pledges his life to perpetual gratitude. Similarly, a Christian who experiences God's healing or provision in their life might vow to serve and praise Him always, remembering the grace extended to them.