Psalms 150:2 — Word Study
WLCהַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בִגְבוּרֹתָ֑יו הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ כְּרֹ֣ב גֻּדְלֽוֹ׃
BSAPraise Himhâlal [for His mighty deeds, in His mighty acts] for His mighty actsgᵉbûwrâh [strength, power, bravery] praise Himhâlal [according to, in the measure of] for His excellentrôb [abundant, magnificent] greatnessgôdel [magnitude, grandeur]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ | praise him | Verb piel imperative second person masculine plural, suffix |
| בִגְבוּרֹתָ֑יו | for mighty deeds his | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ | praise him | Verb piel imperative second person masculine plural, suffix |
| כְּרֹ֣ב | according to [the] greatness of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| גֻּדְלֽוֹ׃ | greatness his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness. |
| KJV | Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. |
| ASV | Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness. |
| YLT | Praise Him in His mighty acts, Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. |
| WEB | Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! |
| BBE | Give him praise for his acts of power: give him praise in the measure of his great strength. |
Translations agree on the core message of praising God for His mighty acts and greatness.
The structure consists of a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases that elaborate on the reasons and manner of 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 150:2
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 Call to Praise Godgenerated
Psalms 150:2 is a call to praise God, emphasizing His mighty acts and excellent greatness. This psalm concludes the Psalter with an exuberant invitation to worship, reflecting on God's power and the reasons for His praise. The psalmist urges the faithful to recognize and celebrate God's deeds, as seen throughout the psalms and echoed in other biblical texts.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 145:5–6 | the glorious splendor of Your majesty. And I will meditate on Your wondrous works. |
| 2 | Revelation 15:3–4 | and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! |
| 3 | Psalm 96:4 | For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. |
| 4 | Psalm 145:3 | Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 3:24 | “O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform such works and mighty acts as Yours? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ, ha.Lu.hugenerated
The word הַלַל (halal) is a verb in the imperative form, calling the audience to action. It means to praise or celebrate, often in a loud or clamorously foolish manner. This reflects a joyful and exuberant expression of worship, inviting the community to acknowledge God's greatness.
The parsing shows it is a second person masculine plural imperative, indicating that the psalmist is directly addressing a group, encouraging them collectively to engage in praise.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse reads, "Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness," which aligns closely with the KJV and ASV in conveying the same meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ, praise Him, which governs two phrases: one detailing the reason for praise, for His mighty acts, and the other specifying the manner, for His excellent greatness.
The structure emphasizes the dual focus on God's actions and His inherent qualities, linking them through the act of praise.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ as αὐτὸν, indicating a direct address to God, maintaining the imperative call to worship.
This choice reflects the continuity of worship practices and the understanding of God's attributes in the Greek-speaking Jewish community.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 150:2 calls the people to praise God, highlighting His powerful deeds and magnificent greatness. This psalm encourages worship in response to God's mighty actions, inviting all to recognize and celebrate His attributes.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means to acknowledge and celebrate the powerful deeds God has done, recognizing His strength and influence in the world.
God's greatness is emphasized to inspire awe and reverence, encouraging worshippers to appreciate His vastness and majesty.
We can praise God through worship, singing, sharing testimonies of His goodness, and living lives that reflect His greatness.
Examples include creation, deliverance from oppression, miracles throughout history, and the ongoing work in the lives of believers.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I witnessed God's mighty acts in my life?
- How can I express my praise for God's greatness in my daily life?
- What are some specific examples of God's power that I can share with others?
- How does recognizing God's greatness influence my worship and relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the call to praise God for His strength and greatness as a reflection of His divine nature.
"Praise Him in His deeds of strength;" or, as others have explained it, "in His deeds of power: praise Him according to the multitude of His greatness" [Psalms 150:2].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 150 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 150:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePraise him for his mighty acts,.... The creation of all things out of nothing; the sustaining of all beings; the government of the world; the redemption of man by Christ, and the wonderful works done
Read John Gill on Psalms 150 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPraise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him for his mighty acts - (Psalms 145:5-6.) Praise him according to his excellent greatness - (Psalms 148:13.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 150 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleAs his infinite majesty deserves to be praised.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 150 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.Ver. 2. Praise him for his mighty acts] Those wonderful effects of his creative and providential omnipotence. Praise him according to his excellent greatness] Or, Greatness of greatness; which yet can never be done, but must be endeavoured. Propound the highest pitch and best patterns.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 150 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Mighty acts . . . excellent greatness.—The one displayed on earth, the other manifested in heaven. (See preceding Note.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 150 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. For his mighty acts] Whether manifested in creation, government, mercy or justice. His excellent greatness.] כרב גדלו kerob gudlo, according to the multitude of his magnitude, or of his majesty. [Anglo-Saxon]; After the manyfoldness of his mickleness. - Anglo-Saxon. After the mykelnes of his greathede. - Old Psalter. Let the praise be such as is becoming so great, so holy, and so glorious a Being.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 150 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. for his mighty acts] Cp. Psalms 106:2; Psalms 145:4; Psalms 145:11-12. according to the abundance of his greatness] Cp. 1 Chronicles 29:11, “Thine is the greatness and the might.”
Read Cambridge on Psalms 150 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePraise him for his mighty acts - See the notes at Psalms 145:4 : “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” The Hebrew word is the same.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 150 →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
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him for His excellent greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him for his surpassing greatness!
Tyndale line
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts: Praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Prayse ye him in his mightie Actes: prayse ye him according to his excellent greatnesse.
Strictly literal
Praise him in his mighty acts; praise him according to the abundance of his greatness.
Praise Him in His mighty acts, Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.
Praise Him in His mighty acts, || Praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness.
Praise him for his acts of might: praise him according to the abundance of his greatness.
Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
From the Latin
Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.
Simplified
Praise him for the amazing things he does! Praise him for how wonderfully great he is!
Give him praise for his acts of power: give him praise in the measure of his great strength.
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 is consistent with the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls, all affirming the call to praise God for His mighty acts and greatness. The variations in the scrolls include minor restorations, but the essential message remains intact.
הַֽלְל֥וּהוּ בִגְבוּרֹתָ֑יו הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ כְּרֹ֣ב גֻּדְלֽוֹ׃
5 of the 5 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.
הללו׳הו בגבורותי׳ו הללו׳הו כרוב גודל׳ו
5 words on the leather.
הלל׳הו [בגברתי׳ו] הלל׳הו כרב גדל׳ו
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 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 150:2
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.
The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.
[הָלַל] vb. shine
Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.
Hiph. flash forth light
base
[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise
Qal be boastful
Pi.
praise man or woman
usually praise י׳
appar. boast, make one’s boast
Pu. be praised
Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast
Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of
Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman
base
H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful
. . praise man or woman
. usually praise י׳
. appar. boast, make one’s boast
. be praised
. glory, boast, make one’s boast
.make into a fool, make a fool of
.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
. act madly, or like a madman
1984 halal haw-lal'
a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of
color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to
be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate;
also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,
(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,
feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy
of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.
: praise
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.
1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.
: boast
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
V-Piel-Impv-2mp | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine plural · suffixHVpv2mp/Sp3ms
גְּבוּרָה (gbuwrah) refers to strength or might, encompassing concepts of valor and bravery. It is derived from a root related to force and power, often used in a figurative sense. The term can denote not only human strength but also the might of God, highlighting its significance in both personal and divine contexts.
גְּבוּרָה 61 n.f. strength, might
strength
might, valour
might of God
base
H1369 גְּבוּרָה strength, might
1369 gbuwrah gheb-oo-raw'
feminine passive participle from the same as 1368; force
(literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory:--
force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
see HEBREW for 01368
גְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) — might.
1) strength, might
1a) strength
1b) might, valour, bravery
1c) might, mighty deeds (of God)
Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.
[הָלַל] vb. shine
Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.
Hiph. flash forth light
base
[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise
Qal be boastful
Pi.
praise man or woman
usually praise י׳
appar. boast, make one’s boast
Pu. be praised
Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast
Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of
Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman
base
H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful
. . praise man or woman
. usually praise י׳
. appar. boast, make one’s boast
. be praised
. glory, boast, make one’s boast
.make into a fool, make a fool of
.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
. act madly, or like a madman
1984 halal haw-lal'
a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of
color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to
be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate;
also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,
(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,
feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy
of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.
: praise
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.
1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.
: boast
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
V-Piel-Impv-2mp | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine plural · suffixHVpv2mp/Sp3ms
רֹב (rov) refers to a multitude or abundance, encompassing ideas of greatness and numerousness. It is derived from a related root and can describe anything from a large quantity to excellence. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, emphasizing its broad application in the Old Testament.
רֹב 151 n.m. multitude, abundance, greatness
base
H7230 רֹב multitude, abundance, greatness
7230 rob robe
from 7231; abundance (in any respect):--abundance(- antly),
all, X common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number),
huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much,
multitude, plenty(-ifully), X very (age).
see HEBREW for 07231
רֹב (rov) — abundance.
1) multitude, abundance, greatness
1a) multitude
1a1) abundance, abundantly
1a2) numerous
1b) greatness
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גֹּ֫דֶל (godel) means greatness or magnitude, and can also refer to magnificence. It has a negative connotation when used to denote pride or insolence. The word is derived from a root meaning to be great, indicating both literal and figurative senses of size or importance.
גֹּ֫דֶל n.m. greatness
greatness, magnitude
magnificence
in bad sense, = pride, insolence of heart
base
H1433 גֹּ֫דֶל greatness . greatness, magnitude
. magnificence
. in bad sense, = pride, insolence of heart
1433 godel go'-del
from 1431; magnitude (literally or figuratively):--
greatness, stout(-ness).
see HEBREW for 01431
גֹּ֫דֶל (go.del) — greatness.
1) greatness
1a) greatness, magnitude
1b) magnificence
1c) pride, insolence (bad sense)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms