Psalm 9 14

Psalm 9:14 kjv

That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalm 9:14 nkjv

That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 9:14 niv

that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 9:14 esv

that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 9:14 nlt

Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem's gates,
so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

Psalm 9 verses

Psalm 9 14 Meaning

Psalm 9:14 expresses the Psalmist's fervent desire and purpose: to publicly proclaim and celebrate God's complete and manifold praises. This declaration is intended to occur within the sacred and public assembly of Jerusalem, specifically at its prominent gates, which served as gathering places. The ultimate joy and foundation for this praise stem directly from experiencing and acknowledging God's mighty acts of deliverance and His faithful salvation.

Psalm 9 14 Context

Psalm 9 is a powerful psalm of thanksgiving, beginning with a strong declaration of praise (verses 1-2). It primarily celebrates God's righteous judgment against wicked nations and individuals who oppress the vulnerable, affirming Him as a refuge for the needy (verses 3-10). The Psalmist recounts God's decisive interventions on his behalf, asserting divine justice triumphs over injustice. Verse 14 falls within this section, revealing the Psalmist's personal motivation and desire for this praise: to offer public gratitude for God's saving acts. Historically, "the gates of the daughter of Zion" signifies the city of Jerusalem, which was the religious, political, and cultural heart of ancient Israel, emphasizing that this praise is a communal, visible act within the established center of God's covenant people.

Psalm 9 14 Word analysis

• that I may recount (לְמַעַן אֲסַפְּרָה - lĕmaʿan ʾăsappĕrâ): The Hebrew lĕmaʿan signifies purpose, "in order that," "so that." ʾăsappĕrâ (from saphar) means "I will declare," "I will tell." It's a cohortative verb, expressing strong desire or intention. This is not mere mention but a full, detailed narration of God's deeds, intending to pass on His story. It implies a teaching or witnessing function to future generations and the community.
• all Your praises (כָּל־תְּהִלָּתֶיךָ - kol-tĕhillātekā): Kol means "all," indicating comprehensive and complete praise. Tĕhillātekā (from tĕhillāh) means "Your praises" or "Your renown." This term encompasses God's glorious acts, His excellent attributes, and His character. It is the root of the word "Hallelujah" (Praise Yahweh), signifying a holistic acknowledgment of who God is and what He does.
• in the gates of (בְּשַׁעֲרֵי - bĕshaʿărey): Shaʿar (gate) in the plural, referring to the physical entry points of a city. Gates were not just entrances; they were central places for public assembly, judicial proceedings, market transactions, legal proclamations, and social interaction. By mentioning "the gates," the Psalmist indicates a public, communal, and official declaration, not a private devotion. It reflects the public worship practices of ancient Israel where solemn assemblies, celebrations, and judgments took place at the city gates.
• the daughter of Zion (בַת־צִיּוֹן - bat-Tziyyôn): This is a poetic personification of Jerusalem, representing its inhabitants as well as the city itself. "Zion" refers to the fortified hill on which Jerusalem was built, and metaphorically to the city of Jerusalem and the dwelling place of God's chosen people. It highlights Jerusalem's unique identity as the holy city and the center of Yahweh's worship, implying that the praise is offered within the very heart of God's covenant community. This phrase also carries prophetic significance in later books, often associated with the coming Messiah.
• and rejoice (אָגִילָה - ʾāgîlâ): Also a cohortative verb (from gîl), meaning "I will rejoice" or "I will exult." This parallels "recount" (ʾăsappĕrâ), emphasizing that praise is born from a deep, internal joy. It suggests a heartfelt, spontaneous overflow of delight, contrasting with mere ceremonial adherence.
• in Your salvation (בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ - bîšūʿātekā): Yĕshūʿāh refers to "salvation," "deliverance," "victory," or "help." It encapsulates all of God's acts of rescuing, protecting, and preserving His people. This word is immensely significant as it is the Hebrew root for the name "Yeshua," or Jesus, embodying the ultimate salvation. The Psalmist's joy is not based on his own achievements or prosperity but entirely on God's active, redemptive work, making God Himself the source and object of rejoicing.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "that I may recount all Your praises": This phrase highlights the Psalmist's intentional and comprehensive purpose in vocalizing God's attributes and deeds. It's a desire not to simply mention but to fully declare the depth and breadth of God's glory, wisdom, power, and faithfulness, as experienced through His mighty acts of justice and deliverance described elsewhere in the psalm. It emphasizes the active sharing of theological truth and experience.
• "in the gates of the daughter of Zion": This location is crucial, transforming private gratitude into public testimony. The gates of Zion symbolize the heart of communal life and the established place of divine worship for God's covenant people. The open declaration here ensures the praise is a visible, communal act that strengthens faith within the community and serves as a witness to those who enter or leave the city. It underscores the importance of corporate worship and the sacred space chosen by God.
• "and rejoice in Your salvation": This clause reveals the profound underlying motivation for the Psalmist's public declaration. The "salvation" (yeshu'ah) of God is the ultimate cause for deep, unreserved joy. This joy is not fleeting or superficial; it is rooted in God's demonstrated power to deliver, redeem, and establish justice, bringing restoration and security. This active rejoicing transforms understanding of salvation from an abstract concept to a tangible, deeply personal and communal experience.

Psalm 9 14 Bonus section

The act of recounting praises in the gates carries a civic responsibility. It implies that God's salvation affects not just individuals but the entire civic and social order of Zion. Public praise in this setting served as a theological reaffirmation of God's rightful reign over the city and its people, acting as a counter-narrative to any false gods or humanistic self-reliance. This communal joy rooted in divine salvation can be seen as an early form of public testimony, declaring God's active involvement in human affairs and His ultimate victory over chaos and wickedness. The "daughter of Zion" also frequently appears in prophetic literature as a reference to the people of Israel who await and will eventually welcome the Messiah (e.g., Zec 9:9), linking this ancient expression of joy in salvation directly to the future advent of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 9 14 Commentary

Psalm 9:14 encapsulates a foundational aspect of biblical worship: public, grateful acknowledgment of God's redemptive work. The Psalmist yearns to openly narrate God's "praises" – His character and acts – not in isolation but within the most prominent communal spaces of Jerusalem. The choice of "the gates of the daughter of Zion" underscores the public, civic, and sacred nature of this intended declaration. It reflects a theology where worship is a communal, demonstrative act intended to edify the faithful and witness to outsiders, proclaiming God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. The core emotion fueling this proclamation is deep-seated "joy" derived from "Your salvation" – a term that transcends mere physical deliverance to encompass God's overarching power to save, provide, and justly govern. This verse thus articulates the joy that flows from experiencing divine intervention and the impulse to declare that joy universally. It provides a blueprint for believers to engage in collective worship that celebrates God's salvific deeds.