Ezra 3:11
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּ
And they sang together by course
H6030
וַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּ
And they sang together by course
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
בְהַלֵּל֙
in praising
H1984
בְהַלֵּל֙
in praising
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
2 of 22
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; causativ
וּבְהוֹדֹ֤ת
and giving thanks
H3034
וּבְהוֹדֹ֤ת
and giving thanks
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
3 of 22
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֔וֹב
because he is good
H2896
ט֔וֹב
because he is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְעוֹלָ֥ם
endureth for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֥ם
endureth for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
חַסְדּ֖וֹ
for his mercy
H2617
חַסְדּ֖וֹ
for his mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
9 of 22
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
toward Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
toward Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֡ם
And all the people
H5971
הָעָ֡ם
And all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הֵרִיעוּ֩
shouted
H7321
הֵרִיעוּ֩
shouted
Strong's:
H7321
Word #:
14 of 22
to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)
תְרוּעָ֨ה
shout
H8643
תְרוּעָ֨ה
shout
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
15 of 22
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
גְדוֹלָ֤ה
with a great
H1419
גְדוֹלָ֤ה
with a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
16 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
בְהַלֵּל֙
in praising
H1984
בְהַלֵּל֙
in praising
Strong's:
H1984
Word #:
17 of 22
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; causativ
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הוּסַ֥ד
because the foundation
H3245
הוּסַ֥ד
because the foundation
Strong's:
H3245
Word #:
20 of 22
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 107:1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.Psalms 103:17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.Psalms 135:3Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.Psalms 118:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.Nehemiah 12:24And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.2 Chronicles 7:3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Historical Context
Temple foundations required massive stone blocks, some weighing several tons, carefully positioned to support the superstructure. Ancient Near Eastern foundation ceremonies often involved pagan rituals and foundation deposits (objects buried beneath cornerstones). Israel's foundation ceremony was distinctively focused on Yahweh worship and biblical praise. The responsive singing pattern (one group singing, another responding) characterized Levitical worship from David's time (1 Chronicles 16:34). This musical tradition, maintained through seventy years of exile without temple, demonstrates oral preservation of worship forms and Scripture memorization that characterized exilic Judaism.
Questions for Reflection
- What does praising God at the foundation-laying rather than completion teach about faith and biblical worship?
- How does grounding praise in God's unchanging character ('his mercy endureth forever') provide stability amid changing circumstances?
- In what ways can modern worship balance emotional expression with theological content rooted in Scripture?
Analysis & Commentary
The responsive singing 'because he is good' echoes Psalm 136 and numerous other passages celebrating God's hesed (steadfast, covenant love). This wasn't innovative worship but rooted in Scripture, demonstrating that biblical praise transcends circumstances. The phrase 'mercy endureth for ever' translates le'olam chasdo, emphasizing God's unchanging faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness that led to exile. The people's great shout accompanied the foundation laying, not the completed temple, showing faith in God's promises before seeing fulfillment. This illustrates the biblical pattern of praising God for what He will do based on His character and past faithfulness. The communal nature—'all the people shouted'—shows genuine, widespread joy in restoration.