Psalm 92 1

Psalm 92:1 kjv

IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:

Psalm 92:1 nkjv

A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath day. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

Psalm 92:1 niv

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High,

Psalm 92:1 esv

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

Psalm 92:1 nlt

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to the Most High.

Psalm 92 verses

Psalm 92 1 Meaning

Psalm 92:1 declares the inherent goodness and properness of giving thanks to the Lord and singing praises to His name, O Most High. It is a fundamental affirmation of the fitting nature of worship, encompassing both verbal gratitude and musical adoration directed toward the unique covenant God of Israel in His supreme majesty.

Psalm 92 1 Context

Psalm 92 bears the superscription, "A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath Day." This designation is significant, as it positions the verse, and the entire psalm, within the context of Sabbath observance. The Sabbath was ordained by God as a day of rest and holiness, a memorial of creation and, later, redemption. On this day, God’s people ceased from their labor to focus on Him and His works. Therefore, the call to give thanks and sing praises is not just a general admonition for worship but a specific and fitting response on the day set aside for reflecting on God's creative power, righteous rule, and faithfulness. The psalm, building from this verse, contrasts the flourishing righteous with the ultimate demise of the wicked, reinforcing God's justice as a reason for praise, particularly apt for Sabbath contemplation.

Psalm 92 1 Word analysis

• It is good (טוֹב - Tov): This word denotes something inherently excellent, beautiful, right, and beneficial. It's not merely convenient or acceptable, but rather fundamentally appropriate and pleasing. It implies that praising God is not just an obligation but a joyous and fulfilling activity that aligns with the created order and brings joy to the worshiper. This "good" aligns with God's own goodness (Ps 107:1, Ps 118:1).
• to give thanks (לְהֹדוֹת - lᵉhôdôṯ): From the root יָדָה (yadah), meaning "to cast, throw," but in the Hiphil stem, as here, it means "to praise, thank, confess." It signifies an acknowledgment, an open confession of God's goodness, deeds, or character, often involving an uplifted hand (implied in the root meaning). It's more than just saying "thank you"; it's a declarative expression of gratitude, often communal, acknowledging a divine benefit or quality. In the cultic context, it refers to a "thank offering" (Todah).
• to the Lord (לַיהוָה - la-YHWH): This refers to the sacred covenant name of God, יהוה (YHWH), often pronounced as "Yahweh" and translated as "LORD" in English Bibles (in all caps) to distinguish it from Adonai (Lord). This name signifies God's personal, self-existent, and covenant-keeping nature, revealing His active presence and faithfulness to His people. Worship is therefore directed to the specific God who reveals Himself relationally.
• and to sing praises (וּלְזַמֵּר - u-lᵉzammēr): From the root זָמַר (zamar), which specifically means "to make music, to sing with instrumental accompaniment." It emphasizes melodious worship, involving musical instruments such as a lyre or harp (often mentioned alongside zamar in other psalms). It signifies an act of adoration expressed through song, rhythm, and harmony, often lively and joyful.
• to Your name (לְשִׁמְךָ - lᵉshimkā): The "name" (shem) in Hebrew thought is not merely a label but represents the entire character, reputation, authority, and presence of an individual. To praise God's name is to praise His essence, all that He has revealed Himself to be through His acts and attributes. It acknowledges His distinctiveness and unique identity.
• O Most High (עֶלְיוֹן - ʿElyôn): This title emphasizes God's supreme elevation, transcendence, and absolute sovereignty above all other beings or powers. It denotes Him as the highest, sovereign ruler over all creation. It’s a majestic title, highlighting God's preeminence and omnipotence. While often associated with the early worship of El-Elyon, it was fully integrated into Israelite theology as an attribute of YHWH, confirming His ultimate power.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises: This phrase utilizes a form of synonymous and synthetic parallelism, presenting two distinct but complementary actions – thanksgiving and musical praise – both of which are "good" and directed towards the same God. "Giving thanks" is more about vocal acknowledgement and gratitude, while "singing praises" emphasizes the melodic, often instrumental, aspect of worship. The conjunction "and" links these as a dual expression of fitting adoration.
• to Your name, O Most High: This specifies the object of the praise by identifying two key aspects of God's nature: His name, representing His revealed character and covenant presence, and His title Most High, representing His supreme sovereignty and transcendence. The parallelism here reveals that the worship is directed not just to a deity, but to the uniquely revealed, personal God of Israel, who is simultaneously immanent (known by His name) and transcendent (Most High).

Psalm 92 1 Bonus section

The literary form of this verse and psalm demonstrates characteristic features of Hebrew wisdom literature intertwined with thanksgiving. The initial declaration "It is good" (טוֹב) often signals a wisdom teaching, asserting a fundamental truth about human flourishing and righteous living, connecting worship directly with a wise life. Furthermore, this opening statement sets a joyful and appreciative tone for the entire psalm, which goes on to describe the blessedness of the righteous who engage in such worship, contrasting their flourishing with the eventual destruction of the wicked. This implicitly serves as a polemic against any pagan or alternative worldview that might suggest it is better to seek power, pleasure, or other deities. The psalm affirms the ultimate goodness, justice, and supremacy of YHWH-Elyon, the only worthy recipient of such holistic praise.

Psalm 92 1 Commentary

Psalm 92:1 serves as a foundational declaration for a Sabbath song, articulating that expressing gratitude and musical praise to God is not merely permissible but inherently right, good, and appropriate. This verse distills the essence of genuine worship: it springs from an inner conviction of God's goodness ("it is good"), involves active expressions of thanksgiving (acknowledging His benefits and character), and delights in musical praise (joyfully proclaiming His glory). Directing this multifaceted worship towards "the Lord" (YHWH, the personal covenant God of Israel) and "Your name, O Most High" (His revealed essence and supreme sovereignty) ensures that worship is not vague or generic but focused on the specific, living, and utterly transcendent God. The goodness declared is both objective (it's intrinsically good to worship God) and subjective (it's good for the worshiper, bringing spiritual health and alignment). This verse calls believers to remember and celebrate God's nature and deeds, a practice supremely fitting on the day dedicated to resting in and reflecting upon His finished works.