Psalm 75 9

Psalm 75:9 kjv

But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 75:9 nkjv

But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 75:9 niv

As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,

Psalm 75:9 esv

But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 75:9 nlt

But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 75 verses

Psalm 75 9 Meaning

Psalm 75:9 expresses a personal, unwavering commitment from the psalmist to continually proclaim God's attributes and deeds and to sing praises to the God of Jacob. This declaration stands in stark contrast to the pride of the wicked described earlier in the psalm, emphasizing a response of faithful worship in light of God's righteous judgment and sovereignty over all things. It signifies a profound, eternal dedication to divine adoration.

Psalm 75 9 Context

Psalm 75 is a Psalm of Asaph, a prominent choirmaster. The psalm functions as a divine oracle, reaffirming God's ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms and events. The opening verses (1-5) establish the psalmist's and the congregation's intention to give thanks, and then quickly shifts to a direct divine pronouncement where God declares His readiness to judge justly (v. 2-3) and warns the arrogant and wicked not to boast (v. 4-5). It explicitly states that promotion and exaltation do not come from human efforts but from God alone (v. 6-7). The imagery of a "cup of wrath" filled with foaming wine that the wicked must drink (v. 8) vividly illustrates God's certain judgment.

Verse 9 directly follows this pronouncement of judgment, standing in stark contrast. While the wicked are promised judgment, the psalmist expresses a personal, unwavering response: he will declare and sing praises to the God of Jacob forever. This context highlights the righteous individual's response to the display of God's perfect justice and sovereignty, choosing worship and proclamation rather than resisting or fearing His reign. It underscores a distinction between those who defy God and those who faithfully respond to His revealed character. The historical-cultural context suggests this was sung in the temple, perhaps as a liturgical affirmation of God's kingship amidst national challenges or hubris from surrounding nations. The phrase "God of Jacob" connects this present display of power to God's historical faithfulness and covenant with Israel through their patriarch.

Psalm 75 9 Word analysis

• וַאֲנִ֤י (wa'aní): "But as for me." The initial waw (and/but) serves as a strong adversative, signaling a direct contrast or shift in focus. It clearly distinguishes the psalmist's attitude and action from those previously described (the arrogant and wicked). 'aní is an emphatic first-person singular pronoun, stressing the personal commitment of the speaker. This contrasts with the collective "we" in verse 1 or the third-person "wicked" throughout the preceding verses.
• אֶגִּ֬יד (eggid): "I will declare/proclaim." This is the Hiphil imperfect of the verb nagad (נגד), meaning "to tell," "to make known," "to declare." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative or declarative action, meaning the psalmist intends to actively and publicly proclaim God's truth, His acts, and His attributes. It suggests a public testimony, not merely private reflection.
• לְעוֹלָ֑ם (le'olam): "forever," "for eternity." The preposition le- indicates direction "to" or "for," and 'olam (עוֹלָם) refers to a vast, indefinite period of time, often extending into eternity. When applied to God, it means "everlasting" or "eternal." When applied to human actions, it implies an unwavering, continuous, and perpetual commitment as long as one lives and possibly beyond in a spiritual sense.
• אֲזַמְּרָ֬ה (azammerah): "I will sing praises." This is the Piel imperfect cohortative of zamar (זמר), meaning "to sing," "to make music," or "to praise." The Piel stem emphasizes intensity and repeated action, suggesting earnest, joyful, and purposeful musical praise. The cohortative ending (-ah) expresses intention or strong desire, "let me sing" or "I am determined to sing."
• לֵאלֹהֵי (le'elohei): "to the God of." The preposition le- again denotes "to" or "for." 'Elohei is the construct form of Elohim (אלהים), which is a common plural noun for "God" or "gods," but when used with the definite article or a proper name in construct, it specifically refers to the one true God of Israel. The construct state "God of..." indicates possession or specific relation.
• יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (Ya'akov): "Jacob." This is a proper noun referring to the patriarch Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 32:28). Naming God as "the God of Jacob" specifically identifies Him as the covenant God who established a relationship with Jacob and, through him, with the nation of Israel. It invokes God's faithfulness to His promises, His power demonstrated in Israel's history, and His ongoing involvement with His chosen people. It connects God's universal sovereignty (implied in Ps 75) with His particular covenant with Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But as for me, I will declare forever": This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's resolute personal decision, sharply contrasting with the behavior of others. His proclamation is not temporal or circumstantial but permanent and unwavering. This declaration isn't just speaking; it's bearing witness to God's justice and character.
• "I will sing praises to the God of Jacob": This clause reveals the form and object of the psalmist's worship. Singing is a profound expression of joy and adoration in Hebrew tradition, often accompanied by musical instruments. Directing this praise to "the God of Jacob" grounds the universal attributes of God (justice, sovereignty) in His specific redemptive history and covenant relationship with Israel, affirming His reliability and faithfulness to His chosen people. This signifies worship born from an understanding of both God's majestic judgment and His intimate covenantal care.

Psalm 75 9 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 75, moving from human hubris to divine judgment and then to a personal response of praise, suggests a theological pattern: God’s holiness demands judgment, and His judgment evokes faithful worship from His people. The phrase "God of Jacob" is particularly rich; it highlights God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness, providing assurance for those who trust in Him. The dual commitment to "declare" (speaking/testimony) and "sing" (worship/adoration) underscores the comprehensive nature of biblical worship, engaging both word and spirit. It's a reminder that true praise involves both intellectual assent to God's truths and passionate, heartfelt expression.

Psalm 75 9 Commentary

Psalm 75:9 encapsulates the faithful believer's appropriate response to divine judgment and sovereignty. Following the dramatic portrayal of God humbling the proud and pouring out wrath on the wicked, the psalmist makes a deliberate choice. "But as for me" signals a stark separation from the defiant and those who disregard God. His commitment is twofold: to "declare forever" (to speak of God's mighty acts, His righteousness, and His truth) and to "sing praises" (to express joyful adoration through music and song). This demonstrates a wholehearted devotion, engaging both intellect (declaring) and emotion (singing). The duration, "forever," underscores the unending nature of true worship, stemming not from fleeting sentiment but from a deep, enduring conviction of God's eternal reign and covenant faithfulness as "the God of Jacob." It's a testament to the psalmist's understanding that God, the just Judge, is also the merciful Covenant Keeper, inspiring perpetual adoration rather than fear or rebellion. This verse offers a model of resilient worship: when faced with the harsh realities of sin and judgment, the believer finds renewed reason to praise the Almighty.