Psalm 30 4

Psalm 30:4 kjv

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalm 30:4 nkjv

Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

Psalm 30:4 niv

Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

Psalm 30:4 esv

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.

Psalm 30:4 nlt

Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.

Psalm 30 verses

Psalm 30 4 Meaning

Psalm 30:4 is a vibrant call to God's faithful followers, urging them to express communal worship and gratitude. It summons those who belong to God, who are beneficiaries of His steadfast love, to sing praises to YHWH and to give thanks whenever they recall or bring to mind His sacred, set-apart, and perfect character, which is encapsulated in His holy name. This verse acts as an invitation for the righteous to participate actively in a celebration of God’s redemptive power and unblemished nature, particularly in light of experiences of deliverance or restoration.

Psalm 30 4 Context

Psalm 30 is a psalm of thanksgiving (Hebrew: Mizmor Shir Hanukkat HaBayit David - A Song for the Dedication of the House, of David). Traditionally, it is associated with David's dedication of his palace or perhaps a broader dedication related to the temple site, or, more broadly, his personal recovery from a severe illness. The preceding verses (30:1-3) clearly detail David's cry to the Lord in a time of great distress, likely a near-death experience, and God's subsequent healing and deliverance. David recounts how God brought him up from the brink of death and restored his life. This verse (30:4) marks a shift from David's personal testimony to a communal invitation. Having experienced God's faithfulness firsthand, David does not keep this revelation to himself but calls upon the broader community of God's people to join him in grateful praise, recognizing that God's deliverance of him exemplifies God’s character available to all His godly ones. The immediate context shows a movement from lament to praise, from individual experience to communal worship.

Psalm 30 4 Word analysis

• Sing praises (זַמְּרוּ – zammerū): This is an imperative verb from the root zamar (זָמַר), which means "to sing, to make music, to sing praises." It often implies praise with musical accompaniment, rejoicing, or triumph, making it an active and joyful expression. The command suggests a public, declarative act of worship.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה – la-YHWH): Refers to the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. This emphasizes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His specific relationship with His people as their redeemer and sovereign Lord, distinct from any pagan deity.
• O you His godly ones (חֲסִידָיו – ḥăsîḏāyw): This plural noun comes from the root ḥeseḏ (חֶסֶד), often translated as "steadfast love," "covenant loyalty," "mercy," or "kindness." The ḥasîd (godly one) is one who is loyal to God's covenant, one who is righteous, pious, and who experiences and responds to God’s ḥeseḏ. They are the recipients of God's faithful love and those who are faithful in return, distinct from those outside the covenant community.
• and give thanks (וְהוֹדוּ – wəhôdû): An imperative from the root yada (יָדָה), meaning "to praise, thank, confess, give thanks." It implies acknowledging God’s greatness, goodness, and specific actions, often in public proclamation or thanksgiving. It is a heartfelt, outward expression of gratitude and confession.
• at the remembrance (לְזֵכֶר – ləzēḵer): From the noun zeḵer (זֵכֶר), meaning "remembrance," "memorial," "recollection." This is not just a passive mental recall but an active bringing to mind and honoring. It implies a conscious act of focusing on God's character and deeds, allowing that remembrance to provoke a response of gratitude and worship.
• of His holy name (קָדְשׁוֹ – qaḏšô):
  • His holy (קָדְשׁוֹ – qaḏšô): Refers to God's attribute of being qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) – "holy" or "set apart." This signifies God’s absolute purity, moral perfection, transcendence, and distinctness from creation and all other beings or deities. It is the very essence of His being, demonstrating His moral flawlessness and unchangeable truth.
  • name (often implied or associated with zeḵer as the "remembrance of His holy one," or His holiness is presented as His name): In biblical thought, "name" (שֵׁם – shem) represents the character, nature, authority, and reputation of a person. Thus, God's "holy name" encapsulates His entire being—His perfect, set-apart, and unchanging character. This is a direct challenge to the capricious and often unholy natures attributed to pagan deities, establishing YHWH as truly unique and utterly pure.

Psalm 30 4 Bonus section

The phrase "His godly ones" (ḥăsîḏāyw) is deeply significant, tying this community to the concept of God's ḥeseḏ, or steadfast love and covenant loyalty. These are the individuals who not only receive God's loyal love but also exhibit loyalty and devotion to Him in return. Therefore, the call to praise and thanksgiving is addressed specifically to those who are already in a reciprocal covenant relationship with God, emphasizing that authentic worship flows from a deep experience and understanding of His faithful nature. The collective nature of the verbs ("Sing praises," "give thanks") underlines the communal aspect of Israelite worship; praise for personal deliverance was often a shared act, bringing the individual testimony into the wider context of the community’s shared experience of God’s redemptive hand. This corporate worship serves to reinforce faith, establish gratitude, and declare God's unique identity among His people.

Psalm 30 4 Commentary

Psalm 30:4 is a powerful injunction to worship, rooted in both the revealed character of God and His demonstrated acts of deliverance. David, having personally experienced God’s intervention, extends the privilege of worship to the entire covenant community, "His godly ones." The dual command "Sing praises" and "give thanks" reveals two essential facets of worship: a joyful celebration with an emphasis on His deeds (sing praises) and a heartfelt acknowledgment of His inherent nature and faithful acts (give thanks). The object of this worship is consistently "the LORD" (YHWH), the personal, covenant-keeping God. The instruction to give thanks specifically "at the remembrance of His holy name" highlights a profound truth: true gratitude is not simply a fleeting emotion, but a conscious, intentional recalling of God's essential character. God’s "holy name" is not just a label but the encapsulation of His utter purity, perfect moral nature, transcendence, and unwavering faithfulness, contrasting sharply with the defiled or limited "names" of other purported gods. This act of remembering His holy nature serves as the enduring foundation for all praise and thanksgiving, motivating genuine adoration. This verse reminds believers that their worship is deeply connected to a conscious appreciation of who God is and what He has done, transforming personal deliverance into a catalyst for communal exaltation of the One whose character is inherently pure and faithful.