Psalms 138:1 — Word Study
WLCאוֹדְךָ֥ בְכָל־ לִבִּ֑י נֶ֖גֶד אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲזַמְּרֶֽךָּ׃
BSAOf DavidDâvid I give You thanksyâdâh▸ [with deepest gratitude, from the heart] with allkôl [every part of] my heartlêb [inner being, will, and intellect] beforeneged [in the presence of, facing] the godsʼĕlôhîym [heavenly beings, idols] I sing Your praiseszâmar▸ [make music, praise, hymns of adoration, worship]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אוֹדְךָ֥ | I will give thanks to you | Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בְכָל־ | with all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| לִבִּ֑י | heart my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| נֶ֖גֶד | before | Prep |
| אֱלֹהִ֣ים | [the] gods | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| אֲזַמְּרֶֽךָּ׃ | I will sing praises to you | Verb piel imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. |
| KJV | I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. |
| ASV | I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee. |
| YLT | By David. I confess Thee, with all my heart, Before the gods I do praise Thee. |
| WEB | I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you. |
| BBE | I will give you praise with all my heart: I will make melody to you before the gods. |
Where they part company is in the phrase בְכָל־ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main verb followed by phrases that elaborate on the manner and context of thanksgiving and praise.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 138:1
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 Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 138:1 is a declaration of gratitude from David, who thanks God with his whole heart. This psalm emphasizes the importance of worship and thanksgiving in the presence of both God and other divine beings. It reflects a deep connection between the worshipper and the divine, showcasing the act of praising God as a communal and personal expression of faith.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 9:1 | I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will recount all Your wonders. |
| 2 | Psalm 86:12–13 | I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. |
| 3 | Psalm 103:1–2 | Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. |
| 4 | Psalm 111:1 | Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 14:15 | What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אוֹדְךָ֥, 'od.Khagenerated
The word אוֹדְךָ ('od.Kha) is a hiphil imperfect verb meaning 'I will give thanks to you.' It is derived from the root יָדָה (yadah), which originally means to throw or cast, and is used in the context of worship and praise, often with outstretched hands.
In this verse, it signifies a heartfelt expression of gratitude directed towards God. The use of the hiphil form indicates that the action is intentional and directed, emphasizing the psalmist's commitment to thankfulness.
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 action is governed by the finite verb אוֹדְךָ, I will give thanks, which leads into two phrases: a prepositional phrase indicating the manner of thanks and a clause describing the context of worship.
Word order in Hebrew places emphasis on the act of thanksgiving as the central theme, with the psalmist's heart and the presence of divine beings framing the act of praise.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אוֹדְךָ as δαυιδ (David), indicating a direct connection to the psalmist's identity and his role in worship. This choice emphasizes the personal nature of the thanksgiving.
The Greek rendering captures the essence of the Hebrew text while adapting it for a Hellenistic audience, maintaining the focus on heartfelt praise.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 138:1 expresses David's deep gratitude to God. He thanks God with all his heart and sings praises in front of divine beings. This shows the importance of worship and thanksgiving in the believer's life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to express genuine gratitude and appreciation to God, involving one's entire being — emotions, will, and intellect.
David acknowledges the presence of divine beings and emphasizes that his praise and worship are directed not only to God but also in recognition of the spiritual realm.
You can practice heartfelt thanksgiving in your prayers and worship, recognizing God's presence and expressing gratitude for His goodness.
Singing praises is a form of worship that expresses joy and gratitude, creating a connection between the worshipper and God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I ensure that my gratitude to God encompasses my whole heart?
- What are some ways I can express my praise for God in my daily life?
- In what situations have I experienced the presence of God while worshipping?
- How does recognizing the spiritual realm influence my understanding of worship?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on the themes of gratitude and divine presence in this psalm. Their insights reflect on the nature of worship and the relationship between the believer and God.
“I will confess to you, Lord, with all my heart.” The nature of a wound determines the medication to be applied. Just as the body has wounds of various kinds, so also the soul has its passions and its wounds,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 138 →
The title of this Psalm is brief and simple, and need not detain us; since we know whose resemblance David wore, and since in him we recognise ourselves also, for we too are members of that Body.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 138 →
It is no secret that angels are frequently present, invisibly, at the side of the elect, in order to defend them from the snares of the cunning enemy and uphold them by the great gift of heavenly desire.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 138 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 138:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will praise thee with my whole heart,.... Cordially and sincerely, in the uprightness and integrity of his heart; which denotes not the perfection of his service, but the sincerity of it; his heart
Read John Gill on Psalms 138 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 138 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePsalms 138 THE This is a Psalm of thanksgiving to God for those great deliverances which he had granted to David from Saul and other enemies; by the remembrance whereof David encourageth himself to trust in God in all him future difficulties. David praiseth God for his goodness and truth showed to him, and foretelleth that the kings of this earth shall also praise him, , and professeth the fruit of his trusting in God in the midst of troubles, ,8. Either, 1. Before the angels, who were represented by the cherubims upon the ark, who are called gods, 97:7, compared with 2:7, who also are present in the congregations of God’ s people, . Or rather, 2. Before kings and princes, by comparing this…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 138 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 138:1 « [A Psalm] of David. » I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.Ver. 1. I will praise thee with my whole heart] Which no hypocrite can do; though he may pray in distress from the bottom of his heart. A grateful man is a gracious man, viz. if he come with a true heart, as the apostle hath it, Hebrews 10:22 (Aben Ezra). Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee] That is, before angels, who are present in holy assemblies, 1 Corinthians 11:10 (as was represented by those cherubims pictured in the temple), as also before princes and potentates, see Psalms 138:4. (Kimchi).
Read John Trapp on Psalms 138 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(1) Before the gods.—Undoubtedly, as in Psalms 82:1 : “before the great” or “mighty.” (Comp. Psalms 119:46, “before kings.”) Sing praise.—Rather, play.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 138 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BiblePSALM CXXXVIII The psalmist praises the Lord for his mercies to himself, 1-3. He foretells that the kings of the earth shall worship him, 4, 5. God's condescension to the humble, 6. The psalmist's confidence, 7, 8. NOTES ON PSALM CXXXVIII The Hebrew and all the Versions attribute this Psalm to David, and it is supposed to have been made by him when, delivered from all his enemies, he was firmly seated on the throne of Israel. As the Septuagint and Arabic prefix also the names of Haggai and Zechariah, it is probable that it was used by the Jews as a form of thanksgiving for their deliverance from all their enemies, and their ultimate settlement in their own land, after Ahasuerus, supposed by…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 138 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–3. Thanksgiving for Jehovah’s manifestation of His lovingkindness and truth in the fulfilment of His promises.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 138 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will praise thee with my whole heart - Reserving nothing m my heart to give to idols or to other gods. All that constitutes praise to God as God, he would address to him alone.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 138 →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 give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.
I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.
I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.
Tyndale line
I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.
I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.
A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise to thee.
A Psalme of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: euen before the gods will I praise thee.
Strictly literal
I will give thee thanks with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing psalms of thee.
By David. I confess Thee, with all my heart, Before the gods I do praise Thee.
BY DAVID. I confess You with all my heart, || I praise You before the gods.
“By David.” I will praise thee with my whole heart: before [thee], O God, will I sing praise unto thee.
I will give you thanks with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to you.
From the Latin
Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:
Simplified
I thank you with my whole being; I sing your praises before the heavenly beings.
I will give you praise with all my heart: I will make melody to you before the gods.
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 and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with the Septuagint providing a direct translation that matches the Hebrew structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the consistency of this verse across different ancient witnesses.
אוֹדְךָ֥ בְכָל־ לִבִּ֑י נֶ֖גֶד אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲזַמְּרֶֽךָּ׃
6 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.
לדויד אוד׳כה יהוה בכול לב׳י נגד יהוה אלוהים אזמר׳כה
9 words on the leather.
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 138:1
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.
יָדָה (yadah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast, particularly in the context of shooting arrows or stones. It also encompasses the meanings of giving thanks, praising, and confessing, especially in a ritual context. The word is built from a primitive root and has various forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of action.
[יָדָה] vb. throw, cast
Qal shoot (arrows) at
Pi. and they cast (stones) on me
Hiph.
give thanks, laud, praise
confess
Hithp.
confess
give thanks, in ritual worship
base
H3034 [יָדָה] throw, cast .shoot (arrows) at
. and they cast (stones) on me
. . give thanks, laud, praise
. confess
. . confess
. give thanks, in ritual worship
3034 yadah yaw-daw'
a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027;
literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to
throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or
worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by
wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion),
praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
see HEBREW for 03027
יָדָה (ya.dah) — to give thanks.
1) to throw, shoot, cast
1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)
1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise
1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to confess (sin)
1d2) to give thanks
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVhi1cs/Sp2ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נֶ֫גֶד (neged) refers to something that is conspicuous or in front, functioning as both a noun and an adverb. It denotes a position opposite or before someone, often used to indicate presence or visibility. The word can imply a counterpart or mate, and it appears in contexts emphasizing sight or proximity.
נֶ֫גֶד 151 subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
base
H5048 נֶ֫גֶד subst. what is conspicuous or in front, always as adv. or prep. in front of, in sight of, opposite to
5048 neged neh'-ghed
from 5046; a front, i.e. part opposite; specifically a
counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with
preposition) over against or before:--about, (over) against,
X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side,
sight, X to view.
see HEBREW for 05046
נֶ֫גֶד (ne.ged) — before.
subst
1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
adv
2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
3) in front of oneself, straightforward
4) before your face, in your view or purpose
with prep
5) what is in front of, corresponding to
6) in front of, before
7) in the sight or presence of
8) parallel to
9) over, for
10) in front, opposite
11) at a distance
prep
12) from the front of, away from
13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
14) from before, in front of
15) as far as the front of
Aramaic equivalent: ne.ged (נֶ֫גֶד "before" H5049)
Prep — PrepHAcmsc
be-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Ge 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Ps 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isa 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west).
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)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
('elohim; theoi):
I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Superhuman Beings (God and Angels)
2. Judges, Rulers
3. Gods of the Nations
4. Superiority of Yahweh to Other Gods
5. Regulations Regarding the Gods of the Nations
6. Israel's Tendency to Idolatry
II. IN THE APOCRYPHA
III. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Hebrew plural 'elohim is generally known as the plural of "majesty" and is the ordinary name for God. The meaning of the plural seems to be "plenitude of powers." It denotes the fullness of those attributes of power which belonged to the Divine Being. Thus it is usually translated in the singular, "God," when referring to the God of Israel. When reference is made to the gods of the other nations the word is translated in the plural, "gods." The heathen nations usually had a plurality of gods. Among the Semites it was customary for one nation or tribe to have its own particular god. Often there were many…
The words god and gods, Hebrew ELOHIM, are several times used in Scripture to express the power, office, or excellence of some created beings, as angels, magistrates, Ex 22:20,28 Ps 86:8 97:12; often also for the false gods of the heathen. These were exceedingly numerous, and are denoted by various terms, signifying vanity, falsehood, etc. Among the first objects to be deified were the sun, the moon, and the chief powers of nature. Innumerable animals, deceased men, all ages, passions, and conditions of man, and every thing which fear, lust, malice, pride, or caprice could suggest, were made objects of worship. The gods of modern India are numbered by millions.
→ See IDOL
→ See IDOLATRY
→ See IMAGE
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-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb piel imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVpi1cs/Sp2ms
