Psalms 9:11 — Word Study
WLCזַמְּר֗וּ לַ֭יהוָה יֹשֵׁ֣ב צִיּ֑וֹן הַגִּ֥ידוּ בָ֝עַמִּ֗ים עֲלִֽילוֹתָֽיו׃
BSAto the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זַמְּר֗וּ | sing praises | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| לַ֭יהוָה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| יֹשֵׁ֣ב | [who] dwells | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| צִיּ֑וֹן | Zion | Noun proper |
| הַגִּ֥ידוּ | declare | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine plural |
| בָ֝עַמִּ֗ים | among the peoples | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עֲלִֽילוֹתָֽיו׃ | deeds his | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations. |
| KJV | Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. |
| ASV | Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings. |
| YLT | Sing ye praise to Jehovah, inhabiting Zion, Declare ye among the peoples His acts, |
| WEB | Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done. |
| BBE | Make songs of praise to the Lord, whose house is in Zion: make his doings clear to the people. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of הַגִּ֥ידוּ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of one main clause and two subordinate clauses, emphasizing both the act of worship and the call to declare God's works.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbוְ
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 9:11
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 Worshipgenerated
Psalms 9:11 encourages the faithful to sing praises to the LORD, acknowledging His dwelling in Zion and urging them to proclaim His deeds among the nations. This reflects a broader theme in the Psalms, where worship is an act of both personal and communal expression of faith, as seen in other passages like Psalm 33:1 and Psalm 96:1.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 33:1–3 | Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. |
| 2 | Psalm 47:6–7 | Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! |
| 3 | Psalm 96:1–2 | Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. |
| 4 | Psalm 148:1–5 | Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. |
| 5 | Psalm 78:68 | But He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 17 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זַמְּר֗וּ, za.me.Rugenerated
The verb זַמְּר֗וּ (zamar) is a Piel imperative, which emphasizes the act of singing or making music, particularly in praise of God. It carries the connotation of joyful and celebratory worship, often involving instruments.
In this context, it invites the community to engage actively in worship, recognizing that such expressions of praise are vital to the life of faith and the acknowledgment of God's presence.
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 of the verse is זַמְּר֗וּ, sing praises, which governs the rest of the sentence. Following it are two clauses: the first describes who the praises are directed to, and the second details what should be proclaimed.
The structure emphasizes the imperative nature of worship, with a clear focus on both the action of singing and the declaration of God's mighty deeds.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זַמְּר֗וּ as καὶ (kai), which serves as a conjunction rather than a direct translation. This indicates a stylistic choice in the Greek that may reflect a broader context of worship rather than focusing solely on the act of singing.
The word הַגִּ֥ידוּ is rendered as ὄνομά (onoma), which means name, suggesting an emphasis on declaring the name of the LORD, further highlighting His identity and deeds.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 9:11 invites the community to sing praises to the LORD, who resides in Zion, and to declare His mighty deeds among the nations. This reflects a call to worship that is both joyful and communal.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To sing praises means to express joy and gratitude to God through music and song, acknowledging His greatness and works.
Zion represents the dwelling place of God, symbolizing His presence among His people and the holy city of Jerusalem.
God's deeds refer to His mighty acts and works throughout history, particularly those that demonstrate His power and faithfulness to His people.
We can declare His deeds by sharing the stories of His faithfulness and works in our lives and throughout history with others.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I incorporate singing praises into my daily worship?
- What are some specific deeds of God that I can share with others?
- In what ways does recognizing God's presence in my life affect my worship?
- How can I encourage others to join in declaring God's greatness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers reference this verse to discuss the nature of worship and God's dwelling, providing insights into its theological implications.
Those who are wild in respect of faith and polluted in life, not purified by the righteousness that is according to the law, are called wild beasts.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
What do you mean? Does the one whose throne is heaven and his footstool earth, in whose hands are the bounds of the earth, dwell in Zion? Yes: he refers here to his dwelling, not for him to be circumscribed (his greatness, after all,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
"Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Sion" [Psalms 9:11], is said to them, whom the Lord forsakes not as they seek Him.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 9 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 9:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion,.... The psalmist having determined in the strength of grace to praise the Lord himself, and show forth all his marvellous works, and given his
Read John Gill on Psalms 9 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 9 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich dwelleth in Zion; whose special and gracious presence is there; for there was the ark at this time. Among the people, i.e. to the heathen nations, that they also may be brought to the knowledge and worship of the true God.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 9 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.Ver. 11. Sing praises to the Lord, &c.] This is the guise of godly people, to provoke others to praise God, as being unsatisfiable in their desires of doing him that service, and as deeming that others see him as they do totum totum desiderabilem, worthy to be praised, Psalms 18:3, highly to be admired, Psalms 9:1 of this psalm.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 9 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 11. Declare among the people his doings.] It is the duty of all those who have received the salvation of God, to recommend him and his salvation to the whole circle of their acquaintance, Christians, so called, when they meet, seldom speak about God! Why is this? Because they have nothing to say.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 9 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11, 12. Stanza of Zayin. A call to praise.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 9 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSing praises to the Lord - As the result of these views of his character, and at the remembrance of his doings.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 9 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible11, 12. Sing praises to the Lord—We have here a call for public thanksgiving by all the people in their religious assemblies.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 9 →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
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations.
Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion, and declare among the people what he has done.
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations.
Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion! Tell the nations what he has done!
Tyndale line
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings.
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Sing praises to the LORD, who dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: shewe the people his workes.
Strictly literal
Sing psalms to Jehovah who dwelleth in Zion; tell among the peoples his doings.
Sing ye praise to Jehovah, inhabiting Zion, Declare ye among the peoples His acts,
Sing praise to YHWH, inhabiting Zion, || Declare His acts among the peoples,
(9:12) Sing praises to the Lord, who dwelleth in Zion: announce among the people his deeds.
Sing praises to Yahweh, who rules in Zion; tell the nations what he has done.
From the Latin
And let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord.
Simplified
Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Zion! Tell the nations what he has done!
Make songs of praise to the Lord, whose house is in Zion: make his doings clear to the people.
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 all seven words matched. This shows a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions.
זַמְּר֗וּ לַ֭יהוָה יֹשֵׁ֣ב צִיּ֑וֹן הַגִּ֥ידוּ בָ֝עַמִּ֗ים עֲלִֽילוֹתָֽיו׃
7 of the 7 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.
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 9:11
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.
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)
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
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)
N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
יָשַׁב (yashab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to sit, remain, or dwell. It encompasses a range of actions from simply sitting down to more complex ideas like establishing a home or causing a place to be inhabited. The entries indicate various forms, including Qal (to sit), Niphal (to be inhabited), and Hiphil (to cause to dwell). There is an Aramaic equivalent, יְתִב (ye.tiv), meaning 'to dwell'.
יָשַׁב 1090 vb. sit, remain, dwell
Qal
sit
sit, sit down
sit down
sit = be set (as a jewel)
remain, stay, tarry
with special emphasis of qualifying phr.
dwell, have one’s abode
of a land or city, sit, abide, seated in its place, fig. for be inhabited
Niph. be inhabited, of land
Pi. and they shall set their encampments in thee
Hiph.
cause to sit
cause to abide
cause to dwell
cause cities to be inhabited
marry (prop. give a dwelling to)
Hoph. and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of the land
base
H3427 יָשַׁב sit, remain, dwell
3427 yashab yaw-shab'
a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as
judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to
remain; causatively, to settle, to marry:--(make to)
abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease
self, endure, establish, X fail, habitation, haunt, (make to)
inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, X marry(-ing),
(bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(- tle),
(down-)sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate),
take, tarry.
יָשַׁב (ya.shav) — to dwell.
1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sit, sit down
1a2) to be set
1a3) to remain, stay
1a4) to dwell, have one's abode
1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited
1c) (Piel) to set, place
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cause to sit
1d2) to cause to abide, set
1d3) to cause to dwell
1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited
1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to)
1e) (Hophal)
1e1) to be inhabited
1e2) to make to dwell
Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
HVqrmsa — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
צִיּוֹן (Tsiyyôn) refers to Zion, often identified as a mountain in Jerusalem and a symbolic name for the city itself, particularly in prophetic contexts. The term is linked to the Hebrew word for Jerusalem and is noted for meaning 'parched place.' It is consistently recognized across lexicons as a proper noun.
צִיּוֹן 154 n.pr.loc. Ṣiyyôn, Zion
base
H6726 צִיּוֹן Ṣiyyôn, Zion
6726 Tsiyown tsee-yone'
the same (regularly) as 6725; Tsijon (as a permanent
capital), a mountain of Jerusalem:--Zion.
see HEBREW for 06725
צִיּוֹן (tsiy.yon) — Zion.
Zion = "parched place"
another name for Jerusalem especially in the prophetic books
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
zi'-on (tsiyon; Sion):
1. Meaning of the Word
2. The Zion of the Jebusites
3. Zion of the Prophets
4. Zion in Later Poetical Writings and Apocrypha
5. Omission of Name by Some Writers
6. The Name "Zion" in Christian Times
LITERATURE
1. Meaning of the Word:
A name applied to Jerusalem, or to certain parts of it, at least since the time of David. Nothing certain is known of the meaning. Gesenius and others have derived it from a Hebrew root tsahah, "to be dry"; Delitzsch from tsiwwah, "to set up" and Wetzstein from tsin, "to protect." Gesenius finds a more hopeful suggestion in the Arabic equivalent cihw, the Arabic cahwat signifying "ridge of a mountain" or "citadel," which at any rate suitably applies to what we know to have been the original Zion (compare Smith, HGHL, under the word).
Zion
Sunny; height, one of the eminences on which Jerusalem was built. It was surrounded on all sides, except the north, by deep valleys, that of the Tyropoeon (q.v.) separating it from Moriah (q.v.), which it surpasses in height by 105 feet. It was the south-eastern hill of Jerusalem.
When David took it from the Jebusites (Josh. 15:63; 2 Sam. 5:7) he built on it a citadel and a palace, and it became “the city of David” (1 Kings 8:1; 2 Kings 19:21, 31; 1 Chr. 11:5). In the later books of the Old Testament this name was sometimes used (Ps. 87:2; 149:2;
[JERUSALEM]
monument; raised up; sepulcher
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
HVhv2mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine pluralHVhv2mp
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
HRd/Ncmpa — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHRd/Ncmpa
עֲלִילָה (aliylah) refers to wantonness or a deed, often implying negative connotations such as evil practices. It is derived from the root meaning to effect or perform, and can denote an act, work, or occasion. The entries consistently emphasize its association with bad deeds.
עֲלִילָה n.f. wantonness, deed
base
H5949 עֲלִילָה wantonness, deed
5949 `aliylah al-ee-law'
or malilah {al-ee-law'}; from 5953 in the sense of effecting;
an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad
sense); by implication, an opportunity:--act(-ion), deed,
doing, invention, occasion, work.
see HEBREW for 05953
עֲלִילָה (a.li.lah) — wantonness.
1) wantonness, deed, doing
1a) wantonness
1b) deed
1c) practices, evil deeds
HNcfpc/Sp3ms — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp3ms
