Psalms 118:28

Authorized King James Version

Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אֵלִ֣י

H410

Thou art my God

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

אַתָּ֣ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְאוֹדֶ֑ךָּ

H3034

and I will praise

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

אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י

H430

thee thou art my God

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

אֲרוֹמְמֶֽךָּ׃

H7311

I will exalt

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?