Psalms 21:13 — Word Study
WLCר֣וּמָה יְהוָ֣ה בְּעֻזֶּ֑ךָ נָשִׁ֥ירָה וּֽ֝נְזַמְּרָה גְּבוּרָתֶֽךָ׃
BSAforkîy to setshîyth shouldershᵉkem cordmêythâr to establishkûwn uponʻal facepânîym
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ר֣וּמָה | rise up ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| יְהוָ֣ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| בְּעֻזֶּ֑ךָ | in strength your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| נָשִׁ֥ירָה | we will sing | Verb, Qal, infinitive construct first person common plural |
| וּֽ֝נְזַמְּרָה | and we will sing praises | Conjunction, verb piel infinitive construct first person common plural |
| גְּבוּרָתֶֽךָ׃ | might your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power. |
| KJV | Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. |
| ASV | Be thou exalted, O Jehovah, in thy strength: So will we sing and praise thy power. |
| YLT | Be Thou exalted, O Jehovah in, Thy strength, We sing and we praise Thy might! |
| WEB | Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power. |
| BBE | Be lifted up, O Lord, in your strength; so will we make songs in praise of your power. |
Where they part company is גְּבוּרָתֶךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence features a main clause followed by two phrases that outline the actions of the psalmist, emphasizing both the call to exalt God and the commitment to worship.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהוּא
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 21:13
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 Psalm of Praisegenerated
Psalms 21:13 is a call for the exaltation of God, emphasizing His strength and power. The psalmist expresses a commitment to sing praises, reflecting a deep reverence and recognition of God's might in the face of adversity. This verse captures the essence of worship as a response to God's greatness, similar to other psalms that celebrate His attributes and deeds, such as Psalm 18:46 and Psalm 46:10.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:46 | The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may the God of my salvation be exalted— |
| 2 | Psalm 46:10 | “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” |
| 3 | Psalm 57:5–11 | Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth. |
| 4 | Psalm 72:18–19 | Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. |
| 5 | Psalm 113:5 | Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רוּמָה, Ru.mahgenerated
The verb רוּם (ruwm) is an imperative form meaning 'to rise up' or 'to exalt'. It conveys the action of lifting up, which can be both physical and spiritual. In this context, it is a direct call to God to be exalted in His strength.
This verb is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible to describe God's action of lifting up the humble and demonstrating His power. The imperative form indicates a strong desire or command, reflecting the psalmist's urgency in calling upon God to manifest His might.
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 finite verb רוּמָה governs the main clause, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase indicating the source of exaltation and a compound clause detailing the actions of singing and praising. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's call to God alongside the commitment to worship.
The syntax highlights the imperative nature of the command, placing the emphasis on the act of exalting God, which is central to the psalm's theme of praise.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רוּמָה as θήσεις (thēseis), which means 'you will place' or 'you will set'. This choice suggests a slightly different nuance, focusing on the act of establishing rather than the imperative call to exaltation.
This translation reflects an interpretive approach that emphasizes God's active role in establishing His strength, rather than merely calling for it to be recognized.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 21:13 expresses a desire for God to be exalted in His strength, with the psalmist promising to sing and praise His might. This reflects a common theme in the psalms of recognizing God's power and responding with worship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Exalting the LORD in His strength means recognizing and honoring His power and might, acknowledging that He is the source of all strength.
Singing praises to God is an expression of worship and gratitude, reflecting our acknowledgment of His greatness and the blessings He provides.
This verse relates to other psalms that celebrate God's power and protection, reinforcing the theme of worship as a response to His mighty deeds.
In this context, 'strength' signifies God's might and ability to protect and deliver, emphasizing His role as a powerful and sovereign being.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's strength in my life?
- How can I incorporate singing praises into my daily worship?
- What does it mean for me to recognize God's power in difficult situations?
- How can I encourage others to exalt God in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference this verse to discuss God's strength and the appropriate response of worship. Quotations from Augustine, Diodorus, and Theodoret illustrate their reflections on the themes of exaltation and divine power.
"Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Your strength" [Psalms 21:13]. Be Thou, Lord, whom in humiliation they did not discern, exalted in Your strength, which they thought weakness.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 21 →
Exalted though you are, then, you are shown to be more exalted through your power and in outdoing all the arrogant, as by inflicting the blow on them from on high. For this reason we shall not cease singing your praises always.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 21 →
Not for being lowly is God exalted, nor does he receive what he does not possess; instead, what he possesses he reveals … your exaltation is revealed in your ineffable power, which we shall continue to celebrate and sing,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 21 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 21:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBe thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength,.... Exert thy strength, display thy power in such manner, that thou mayest be exalted and magnified on account of it.
Read John Gill on Psalms 21 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBe thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power. Concluding prayer and consequent thanksgiving.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 21 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn thine own strength; by thy own power, or by the manifestation thereof, whereby thou wilt have the whole glory of the work.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 21 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 21:13 Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: [so] will we sing and praise thy power.Ver. 13. Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength] Finit Psalmum cum laude, sicut incepit, saith Aben Ezra. He closeth up the psalm, as he began it, with praise and prayer that God would arise and destroy the rest, as he had already done some of their enemies. God’ s power and strength is in itself infinite, and cannot be exalted or amplified; but in respect of us it is said to be exalted when exerted and put forth for the defence of his people. So will we sing and praise thy power] This they restipulate; as knowing that it would please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 21 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) Thou.—Again the song turns to address Jehovah. So will we sing and praise.—Better, We will both with song and lyre celebrate Thy power.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 21 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. Be thou exalted] Exalt thyself, O Lord - thy creatures cannot exalt thee. Lift thyself up, and discomfit thy foes by thine own strength! Thou canst give a victory to thy people over the most formidable enemies, though they strike not one blow in their own defence. God's right hand has often given the victory to his followers, while they stood still to see the salvation of God. How little can the strength of man avail when the Lord raiseth up himself to the battle! His children, therefore, may safely trust in him, for the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous flee into it, and are safe. Praise thy power.] God is to receive praise in reference to that attribute which he…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 21 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. The congregation’s concluding prayer (as in Psalms 20:9), returning to the thought of Psa 21:1. Jehovah is exalted when He manifests His strength (Psalms 7:6; Psalms 46:10; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 57:11). R.V., in thy strength, for in thine own strength. thy power] Thy might, made known in mighty acts of salvation (Psalms 20:6).
Read Cambridge on Psalms 21 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBe thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength - This is the concluding part of the psalm (see the introduction), expressing a desire that God “might” be exalted over all his foes; or that his own
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 21 →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
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.
Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength, so we will sing and praise your power.
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.
Rise up, O Lord, in strength! We will sing and praise your power!
Tyndale line
Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Be thou exalted, O Jehovah, in thy strength: So will we sing and praise thy power.
Be thou exalted, O LORD, in thy strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Be thou exalted, LORD, in thy own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy strength: so will we sing and prayse thy power.
Strictly literal
Be thou exalted, Jehovah, in thine own strength: we will sing and celebrate thy power.
Be Thou exalted, O Jehovah in, Thy strength, We sing and we praise Thy might!
Be exalted, O YHWH, in Your strength, || We sing and we praise Your might!
(21:14) Exalt thyself, O Lord, in thy strength; [and] we will sing and praise thy power.
Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength; we will sing and praise your power.
From the Latin
Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.
Simplified
Rise up, Lord, for you are strong! We will sing and praise your power!
Be lifted up, O Lord, in your strength; so will we make songs in praise of your power.
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 in their wording for this verse, with all words matched in the Hebrew and Greek texts. This alignment indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this psalm across different traditions.
ר֣וּמָה יְהוָ֣ה בְּעֻזֶּ֑ךָ נָשִׁ֥ירָה וּֽ֝נְזַמְּרָה גְּבוּרָתֶֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 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 21:13
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.
רוּם (ruwm) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be high or exalted, covering a range of actions such as rising, lifting, and promoting. It can refer to physical elevation, like raising an ark or setting up a throne, as well as figurative exaltation, particularly in relation to God. The word also has a related form, רָמַם (ramam), which means to be wormy.
רוּם vb. be high, exalted, rise
Qal
be high, lit. rock (in fig.)
esp. of י׳
be raised, uplifted
be lifted, rise, of ark
Pō‛lēl
raise, rear, children
cause tree to grow
lift up
exalt, extol, acc. י׳
Pō‛lal be lift up
Hiph.
raise, rear, c. acc., hand
raise poor
lift up voice
(take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone
set up, erect, stone
set on high, throne
lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.
lift up and take away, remove
lift off and present, contribute, offer
Hoph. be taken off from; be abolished
Hithpō‛l. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself
base
[רָמַם] vb. denom. be wormy;—Ex 16:20
ref
H7311a רוּם be high, exalted, rise .. . be high, lit. rock (in fig.)
. esp. of י׳
. be raised, uplifted
. be lifted, rise, of ark
.. . raise, rear, children
. cause tree to grow
. lift up
. exalt, extol, acc. י׳
.be lift up
. . . . raise, rear, c. acc., hand
. raise poor
. lift up voice
. (take into one's hand and) lift, take up, stone
. set up, erect, stone
. set on high, throne
. lift up, exalt, c. acc. pers.
. lift up and take away, remove
. lift off and present, contribute, offer
. be taken off from; be abolished
. and he shall exalt and magnify himself above, etc.; I will raise myself
H7311b רָמַם vb. denom. be wormy
7311 ruwm room
a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in
various applications, literally or figuratively):--bring up,
exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be,
lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up,
levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, (X a-)loud, mount up, offer
(up), + presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up,
tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms.
רוּם (rum) — to exalt.
1) to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be high, be set on high
1a2) to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted
1a3) to be lifted, rise
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up
1b2) to lift up, raise, exalt
1b3) to exalt, extol
1c) (Polal) to be lifted up
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to raise, lift, lift up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high
1d2) to lift up (and take away), remove
1d3) to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute
1e) (Hophal) to be taken off, be abolished
1f) (Hithpolel) to exalt oneself, magnify oneself
Aramaic equivalent: rum (רוּם "to rise" H7313)
רָמַם (ra.mam) — be rotten.
(Qal) to be rotten, be wormy
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
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)
HNpt — Noun properHNpt
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
שִׁיר (shiyr) means 'to sing' and is a denominative verb derived from a primitive root. It covers various forms of singing, including participles for singers and songstresses. The entries indicate its use in different verbal stems, such as Qal and Polel, and note its appearance in contexts like 1 Samuel 18:6.
[שִׁיר] 86 vb. sing (denom.)
Qal 49 sing
Pō‛l. 36 sing
Hoph. be sung
base
H7891 שִׁיר sing (denom.)
7891 shiyr sheer
or (the original form) shuwr (1 Sam. 18:6) {shoor}; a
primitive root (identical with 7788 through the idea of
strolling minstrelsy); to sing:--behold (by mistake for
7789), sing(-er, -ing man, - ing woman).
see HEBREW for 07788
see HEBREW for 07789
שִׁיר (shir) — to sing.
1) to sing
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to sing
1a2) singer, songstresses (participle)
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to sing
1b2) singer, songstress (participle)
1c) (Hophal) to be sung
HVqc1cp — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct first person common pluralHVqc1cp
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)
HC/Vpc1cp — Conjunction · verb piel infinitive construct first person common pluralHC/Vpc1cp
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)
HNcfsc/Sp2ms — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms