Psalm 71 22

Psalm 71:22 kjv

I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 nkjv

Also with the lute I will praise You? And Your faithfulness, O my God! To You I will sing with the harp, O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 niv

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 esv

I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22 nlt

Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71 verses

Psalm 71 22 Meaning

Psalm 71:22 is a declaration of the Psalmist's steadfast commitment to worship and praise God using musical instruments. It articulates two primary reasons for this praise: God's unwavering faithfulness and His identity as the Holy One uniquely associated with Israel. The verse expresses a personal, intimate relationship with God ("O my God") combined with an acknowledgment of His transcendent, holy nature and covenantal bond with His people. It reflects a heart transformed by divine intervention and moved to express profound gratitude and adoration through instrumental and vocal praise.

Psalm 71 22 Context

Psalm 71 is a plea and declaration of trust by an elderly individual facing significant adversaries and public scorn, possibly in a time of deep distress or perceived abandonment. The Psalmist has relied on God since birth and continues to do so in old age (Psa 71:5-9, 18). He seeks deliverance from those who plot against his life and character (Psa 71:10-13) and vows continuous praise for God's righteous acts and salvation (Psa 71:14-16). Verse 22, therefore, is a culmination of this experience of divine help, promising to express heartfelt gratitude not just through words, but with devoted instrumental music, recognizing God's consistent character as the source of his hope and strength. It contrasts the instability of human support with the unwavering nature of God.

Psalm 71 22 Word analysis

• "I will also praise you": The Hebrew verb for "praise" here is yadah (יָדָה), which often signifies an act of thanksgiving or confession. The addition of "also" connects this praise to the previous declarations of speaking of God's righteousness and salvation (Psa 71:15-16) and anticipates even greater praise. It is a definite commitment to worship.
• "with the harp": The Hebrew word is kinnor (כִּנּוֹר). This was a portable stringed instrument, likely similar to a lyre or a small harp, and was very common in Israelite worship. King David, renowned as a musician, frequently played the kinnor. Its inclusion highlights a deliberate, tangible form of worship beyond mere vocal utterance.
• "for your faithfulness": The Hebrew term is emūnah (אֱמוּנָה), denoting firmness, steadfastness, trustworthiness, and reliability. This is a foundational attribute of God, referring to His constancy in character, promises, and actions. It is a key motivator for the Psalmist's worship, as God has proven Himself trustworthy throughout his life, especially in times of trouble.
• "O my God": The Hebrew Elohai (אֱלֹהַי) emphasizes a deeply personal, intimate relationship with God. The Psalmist claims God as his own, reflecting a covenantal bond and profound reliance on Him, echoing God's identity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
• "I will sing praises to you": The Hebrew verb used here is zāmar (זָמַר), specifically meaning "to sing praise" or "to make music." This provides parallelism and reinforces the theme of musical adoration, indicating both vocal and instrumental worship.
• "with the lyre": The Hebrew word is nevel (נֶבֶל). Similar to the kinnor, the nevel was another stringed instrument, sometimes translated as "lute" or "psaltery." It might have had a deeper sound or different string arrangement than the kinnor. Its mention alongside the harp further underscores the rich, dedicated musical aspect of the Psalmist's worship.
• "O Holy One of Israel": The Hebrew Qĕdosh Yisra'el (קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a title primarily found in Isaiah, emphasizing God's transcendence, moral purity, and His unique set-apartness, especially in His relationship with the covenant people of Israel. It denotes God's awesome majesty and the distinctiveness of His relationship with His chosen nation. It subtly counters polytheistic tendencies by asserting the singularity and unmatched holiness of Israel's God.

• "I will also praise you with the harp ... I will sing praises to you with the lyre": This phrase exhibits a beautiful poetic device known as synonymous parallelism. Both clauses express the same core idea of praising God through musical instruments, but using different verbs and instruments. This artistic repetition emphasizes the Psalmist's zealous commitment to multifaceted, intentional worship. It points to a full-bodied devotion—vocal, instrumental, and heartfelt.
• "for your faithfulness, O my God; ... O Holy One of Israel": This pairing links two profound motivations and two distinct yet complementary divine attributes. God's faithfulness (emūnah) is the basis of His reliable actions and steadfast character, grounding the Psalmist's trust. "O my God" signifies an intimate, personal experience of this faithfulness. Concurrently, "O Holy One of Israel" highlights God's unique holiness and covenantal relationship with His people, signifying His divine authority and transcendent majesty. The shift from an intimate personal address to a formal, corporate divine title provides a comprehensive reason for praise—God is worthy both for what He is to the individual and for who He is universally and to His chosen nation. This demonstrates a robust theological understanding of God's character.

Psalm 71 22 Bonus section

The practice of praising God with instruments like the kinnor and nevel was deeply ingrained in Israelite worship, especially since the time of King David. These instruments were not just for entertainment but were integral to Temple worship (as seen in the later structure of Levitical choirs) and individual devotion, enhancing the spiritual expression of hymns and psalms. The choice of two specific stringed instruments implies a richness and intentionality in the musical offering. The verse underscores that authentic worship is not just intellectual or verbal assent, but often includes physical and artistic expressions of reverence, gratitude, and adoration towards a God who is both intimately personal ("my God") and transcendentally set apart ("Holy One of Israel"). This duality of God's immanence and transcendence is a recurring theme in the Psalms, inspiring both personal devotion and communal awe.

Psalm 71 22 Commentary

Psalm 71:22 presents a vibrant image of worship stemming from a heart assured of God's unfailing support, especially in trials and old age. The Psalmist's commitment to praise is not merely vocal; it is deep and instrumental, involving the consecrated use of skills and resources (the harp and lyre). This active worship flows from two interconnected divine attributes: God's faithfulness—His unchanging reliability and steadfast love which has been experienced throughout the Psalmist's life—and His holiness as the "Holy One of Israel." This latter title evokes His majestic distinctiveness and covenant loyalty to His people. Thus, praise becomes an intentional, holistic response to God's nature and His salvific acts, moving from a personal sense of gratitude ("my God") to an awe-filled reverence for His supreme deity. It teaches that our worship should be intentional, full-bodied, and rooted in God's proven character and unassailable holiness, serving as a testament to His deliverance and sustaining grace.