What Does Psalm 146:1 Mean in the King James?

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 146:1 · KJV

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

Praise begins as the living self calling itself into praise.

THE MEANING

The verse gives your living self a voice: praise is spoken to the LORD, and your own soul is addressed as the one who praises. The repeated call makes this inward address part of the praise itself.

THE ROOT

הָלַל

hālal

GROWS FROM

הלל

Praise; to praise or celebrate.

The first call praises Yah, and the next turns that same praise toward the speaker’s own living self. The repetition shows praise as both an utterance and a direct address within the person.

ALSO GROWS

hallelu: Praise! (plural imperative)

הַלְלוּ

The opening “Praise ye” uses this form, sounding the call outward.

tehillah: Praise; a song or expression of praise

תְּהִלָּה

This related word shows praise as something voiced and carried in song.

נֶפֶשׁ

nefesh

GROWS FROM

נפש

Living self; a person as a living being.

“soul” in this verse is nefesh. The speaker addresses the nefesh as the living self, not as an abstract part separated from life. Praise is voiced by the person and directed to that same living self.

ALSO GROWS

nefesh: Living being; person; self

נֶפֶשׁ

Here it names the living self being addressed.

nafash: Be refreshed; recover

נָפַשׁ

This related form links the living self with renewal, adding a shade of restoration to the address.

THE PATTERN

Praise begins in the self, gathers the whole living world, and becomes continual speech.

A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Psalm 103:1 · KJVThe living self addresses itself, extending the call to everything within it.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:6 · KJVThe personal call widens into praise voiced by every living creature.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 · KJVPraise becomes continual speech, carried by the lips.

THE THREAD

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 150:6 · KJV

Both verses use halal, the root of praise. Psalm 146 begins with one living self addressing its own soul; Psalm 150 extends that same praise to every living creature.

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