Psalms 104:33 — Word Study
WLCאָשִׁ֣ירָה לַיהוָ֣ה בְּחַיָּ֑י אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה לֵאלֹהַ֣י בְּעוֹדִֽי׃
BSAI will singshîyr [make music, praise with joy] to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, my Redeemer] all my lifechay [while I have my being, throughout my existence] I will sing praisezâmar [make melody] to my Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, my Creator] while I have my beingʻôwd [am alive, still exist]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אָשִׁ֣ירָה | I will sing | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| לַיהוָ֣ה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| בְּחַיָּ֑י | in life my | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה | I will sing praises | Verb, Piel, infinitive construct first person common singular |
| לֵאלֹהַ֣י | to God my | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| בְּעוֹדִֽי׃ | in duration my | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. |
| KJV | I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. |
| ASV | I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. |
| YLT | I sing to Jehovah during my life, I sing praise to my God while I exist. |
| WEB | I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. |
| BBE | I will make songs to the Lord all my life; I will make melody to my God while I have my being. |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the psalmist's commitment to sing to the LORD.
The verse consists of two main clauses, each followed by prepositional phrases that clarify the subject's intent and duration of praise.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשִׁיר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 104:33
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Song of Praise to the Creatorgenerated
Psalm 104:33 is a declaration of the psalmist's intent to sing to the LORD throughout his life. This verse is situated within a psalm that reflects on God's greatness in creation, emphasizing the relationship between the Creator and His creation. The psalmist's commitment to praise is a response to God's majesty and works, as seen in the surrounding verses that highlight God's power over nature.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 63:4 | So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. |
| 2 | Psalm 145:1–2 | I will exalt You, my God and King; I will bless Your name forever and ever. |
| 3 | Psalm 146:2 | I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אָשִׁ֣ירָה, 'a.Shi.rahgenerated
The verb שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is derived from a primitive root. It encompasses various forms of singing, including the act of making music and praising joyfully. The parsing indicates it is a first person common singular infinitive construct, meaning 'I will sing'. This word captures the essence of worship through song, which is a significant theme in the Psalms.
The psalmist's choice to use this verb reflects a deep desire to express joy and gratitude to God through music, a practice often seen in Israel's worship. The connection to communal singing, as in Exodus 15 after the crossing of the Red Sea, emphasizes the importance of song in the life of faith.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb, אָשִׁ֣ירָה, I will sing, governs the structure of the verse, with two parallel clauses following it: one expressing the act of singing to the LORD and the other to God. The Hebrew word order emphasizes the psalmist's personal commitment to praise.
The structure showcases a clear intention: the psalmist will sing throughout his life, highlighting the continuity of worship as long as he exists. This reflects a poetic parallelism common in Hebrew poetry.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb אָשִׁ֣ירָה is translated as ᾄσω (asō), meaning 'I will sing.' This choice maintains the original sense of singing while also connecting to the broader Greek tradition of musical praise.
The translation reflects the intent of the psalmist to express joy and gratitude through song, a theme that resonates across both Hebrew and Greek texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 104:33 expresses the psalmist's intention to sing to the LORD for his entire life. He emphasizes that he will sing praises to God as long as he is alive. This verse is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God's creation and power.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a lifelong commitment to worship and praise God through song, reflecting gratitude for His creation and faithfulness.
Singing is a way to express joy, gratitude, and devotion to God, and is often used in communal worship to unite believers in praise.
You can sing praises during personal devotions, in community worship, or even in moments of reflection to express your faith and gratitude.
This phrase emphasizes the psalmist's intention to sing as long as he is alive, highlighting the continuity of worship throughout his existence.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I make singing a regular part of my worship to God?
- In what ways do I express gratitude to God in my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to sing praises to God while I have my being?
- How can I encourage others to join in worship through song?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, including Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the importance of singing to God throughout life.
"I will sing unto the Lord in my life" [Psalms 104:33]. What will sing? Everything that is willing. Let us sing unto the Lord in our life.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 104 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 104:33 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will sing unto the Lord as long as I live,.... Or, "in my life or lives (w)", throughout the whole of it.
Read John Gill on Psalms 104 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 104 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBut whatsoever others do, I will not fail to give God his glory and due praises.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 104 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 104:33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.Ver. 33. I will siny unto the Lord] Though others be slack to do God this right, to help him to his own, to give him the glory due to his name, yet I will do it, and do it constantly, so long as I have a breath to draw.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 104 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 33. I will sing unto the Lord] The psalmist exulting in the glorious prospect of the renovation of all things, breaks out in triumphant anticipation of the great event, and says, I will sing unto the Lord בחיי bechaiyai, with my lives, the life that I now have, and the life that I shall have hereafter. I will sing praise to my God] בעודי beodi, "in my eternity;" my going on, my endless progression. What astonishing ideas! But then, how shall this great work be brought about? and how shall the new earth be inhabited with righteous spirits only? The answer is,
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 104 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will sing unto the Lord as long as I live - That is, I will continue to praise him; I will never cease to adore him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 104 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God as long as I exist!
Tyndale line
I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
I will sing vnto the Lord all my life: I will prayse my God, while I liue.
Strictly literal
I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live; I will sing psalms to my God while I have my being.
I sing to Jehovah during my life, I sing praise to my God while I exist.
I sing to YHWH during my life, || I sing praise to my God while I exist.
I will sing unto the Lord while I live: I will sing praises to my God while I exist.
I will sing to Yahweh all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
From the Latin
And he destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees: and he broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.
Simplified
I will sing to the Lord for as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God my whole life.
I will make songs to the Lord all my life; I will make melody to my God while I have my being.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 104:33 reads, 'אָשִׁ֣ירָה לַיהוָ֣ה בְּחַיָּ֑י אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה לֵאלֹהַ֣י בְּעוֹדִֽי׃' The Septuagint closely corresponds to this text, matching five out of six words, though it presents them in a different order and with its own articles. The Dead Sea Scrolls, specifically 4Q86 and 11Q5, also reflect the Masoretic Text but include some editorial restorations, with 4Q86 having one word partly restored and 11Q5 having one word entirely supplied by an editor. Overall, the other witnesses largely agree with the Masoretic Text, with minor variations in word order and editorial additions in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
אָשִׁ֣ירָה לַיהוָ֣ה בְּחַיָּ֑י אֲזַמְּרָ֖ה לֵאלֹהַ֣י בְּעוֹדִֽי׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
אשירה [ליהוה] בחי׳י אזמרה [לאלה׳י] בעד׳י
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 2 supplied entire by an editor.
אשירה [ליהוה] בחי׳י אזמרה לאלוה׳י בעוד׳י
5 words on the leather — 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 104:33
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is a denominative verb derived from a primitive root. It covers various forms of singing, including participles for singers and songstresses. The entries indicate its use in different verbal stems, such as Qal and Polel, and note its appearance in contexts like 1 Samuel 18:6.
[שִׁיר] 86 vb. sing (denom.)
Qal 49 sing
Pō‛l. 36 sing
Hoph. be sung
base
H7891 שִׁיר sing (denom.)
7891 shiyr sheer
or (the original form) shuwr (1 Sam. 18:6) {shoor}; a
primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of
strolling minstrelsy); to sing:--behold (by mistake for
7789), sing(-er, -ing man, - ing woman).
see HEBREW for 07788
see HEBREW for 07789
שִׁיר (shir) — to sing.
1) to sing
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sing
1a2) singer, songstresses (participle)
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to sing
1b2) singer, songstress (participle)
1c) (Hophal) to be sung
V-Qal-1cs — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common singularHVqc1cs
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
זָמַר (zamar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sing or make music, particularly in praise of God. It is derived from a root that suggests touching the strings of a musical instrument. The word covers actions like singing, playing instruments, and celebrating through music. The Piel form specifically emphasizes making music in worship.
[זמר] vb. only Pi. make music in praise of God
base
H2167 זמר only Pi. make music in praise of God
2167 zamar zaw-mar'
a primitive root (perhaps ident. with 2168 through the idea
of striking with the fingers); properly, to touch the strings
or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make
music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song
and music:--give praise, sing forth praises, psalms.
see HEBREW for 02168
זָמַר (za.mar) — to sing.
1) to sing, sing praise, make music
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to make music, sing
1a2) to play a musical instrument
Aramaic equivalent: ze.mar (זְמָר "music" H2170)
V-Piel-1cs — Verb · Piel · infinitive construct first person common singularHVpc1cs
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp1bs
עוֹד (owd) primarily denotes a sense of iteration or continuance, functioning mostly as an adverb meaning 'still,' 'yet,' or 'again.' It can also imply addition or repetition, as in 'more' or 'besides.' The word appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing persistence or continuation.
עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides
base
H5750 עוֹד and (14 t.) עֹד subst. a going round, continuance, but used mostly as adv. acc. still, yet, again, besides
5750 `owd ode
or rod {ode}; from 5749; properly, iteration or continuance;
used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again,
repeatedly, still, more:--again, X all life long, at all,
besides, but, else, further(-more), henceforth, (any) longer,
(any) more(-over), X once, since, (be) still, when, (good,
the) while (having being), (as, because, whether, while) yet
(within).
see HEBREW for 05749
עוֹד (od) — still.
subst
1) a going round, continuance
adv
2) still, yet, again, besides
2a) still, yet (of continuance or persistence)
2b) still, yet, more (of addition or repetition)
2c) again
2d) still, moreover, besides
Aramaic equivalent: od (עוֹד "still" H5751)
Prep | Adv | Suff — Preposition · suffixHR/Acmsc/Sp1bs