What Does Psalm 138:1 Mean in the King James?
A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew word for praise also carries confession and thanksgiving, so the whole heart openly acknowledges God even before the gods.
THE MEANING
Your praise is the whole heart speaking as one, not a private feeling hidden inside you. It is voiced before the powers named as gods, so the scene around you does not determine whom your heart acknowledges. The verse holds full-hearted praise and public presence together.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that praise must wait for privacy or for rival powers to disappear; this verse places it openly before them.
THE ROOT
אוֹדְךָ
ʾôdeḵā
GROWS FROM
ידה
y-d-h
To acknowledge, confess, give thanks, or praise.
The verb here gathers acknowledgment, thanksgiving, and praise under one root. The whole heart is not only feeling devotion inwardly; it is making its recognition audible before the gods.
ALSO GROWS
todah: Thanksgiving; an expression of thanks.
תּוֹדָה
This noun from the same root shows that the verse’s praise carries the sense of giving thanks and openly acknowledging.
hodu: Give thanks; acknowledge.
הוֹדוּ
This related form names the same outward act of recognition, which English separates into praise and thanksgiving.
THE PATTERN
Whole-hearted praise is public acknowledgment that remains centered on God in the presence of other peoples and powers.
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.THE THREAD
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.The verb translated “give thanks” shares the root behind “praise” in Psalm 138:1. Here that same acknowledgment is explicitly voiced among the nations, opening up what it means to praise before the gods.
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