Psalms 86:12

Authorized King James Version

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I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Original Language Analysis

אוֹדְךָ֤׀ I will praise H3034
אוֹדְךָ֤׀ I will praise
Strong's: H3034
Word #: 1 of 8
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
אֲדֹנָ֣י thee O Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י thee O Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 2 of 8
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
אֱ֭לֹהַי my God H430
אֱ֭לֹהַי my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 8
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
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָבִ֑י with all my heart H3824
לְבָבִ֑י with all my heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 5 of 8
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וַאֲכַבְּדָ֖ה and I will glorify H3513
וַאֲכַבְּדָ֖ה and I will glorify
Strong's: H3513
Word #: 6 of 8
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
שִׁמְךָ֣ thy name H8034
שִׁמְךָ֣ thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 7 of 8
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְעוֹלָֽם׃ for evermore H5769
לְעוֹלָֽם׃ for evermore
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis & Commentary

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart (אוֹדְךָ אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהַי בְּכָל־לְבָבִי, odekha Adonai Elohai be-khol-levavi)—Yadah means praise, give thanks; be-khol-levavi means with all my heart. And I will glorify thy name for evermore (וַאֲכַבְּדָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם, va-akhabdah shimkha le-olam)—Kabad means glorify, honor, give weight to; le-olam means forever, eternally.

Psalm 86 is David's prayer in distress (vv. 1-7), moving to confident praise (vv. 8-13), back to petition (vv. 14-16), ending with assurance (v. 17). This verse marks the transition from petition to praise. Despite ongoing trouble, David commits to wholehearted worship forever. The dual divine names (Adonai Elohai) emphasize both lordship and personal relationship.

Historical Context

David faced constant threats throughout his reign—from Saul, Absalom, surrounding nations, and internal conspiracies. This psalm reflects his learning to praise God not after deliverance, but during distress. Early Christians adopted this pattern, singing hymns in prison (Acts 16:25).

Questions for Reflection