Psalms 34:3 — Word Study
WLCגַּדְּל֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה אִתִּ֑י וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה שְׁמ֣וֹ יַחְדָּֽו׃
BSAthe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּדְּל֣וּ | magnify | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| לַיהוָ֣ה | Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| אִתִּ֑י | with me | Preposition, suffix |
| וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה | so let us exalt | Conjunction, verb piel infinitive construct first person common plural |
| שְׁמ֣וֹ | name his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| יַחְדָּֽו׃ | together | Adverb |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. |
| KJV | O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. |
| ASV | Oh magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt his name together. |
| YLT | Ascribe ye greatness to Jehovah with me, And we exalt His name together. |
| WEB | Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together. |
| BBE | O give praise to the Lord with me; let us be witnesses together of his great name. |
The translations agree in their rendering of the key phrases, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship.
The main call to action is followed by phrases that specify the invitation and the manner of worship.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבְּ
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 34:3
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 34:3 expresses a communal invitation to glorify the LORD together. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of unity in worship, encouraging others to join in exalting God's name. This call to praise is set against the backdrop of personal testimony and divine deliverance, as seen in the verses surrounding it.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 35:27 | May those who favor my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, “Exalted be the LORD who delights in His servant’s well-being.” |
| 2 | Psalm 40:16 | May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!” |
| 3 | Psalm 69:30 | I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. |
| 4 | Luke 1:46 | Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, |
| 5 | Acts 19:17 | This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 14 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גַּדְּל֣וּ, ga.de.Lugenerated
The Hebrew verb גָּדַל (gadal) means to grow or become great, and in this context, it calls for magnifying the LORD. It implies making God’s greatness known, emphasizing His power and importance in the lives of the worshippers.
The Piel form indicates an active voice, suggesting that the community is to actively participate in this magnification. This is not just a passive acknowledgment of God's greatness but a call to proclaim it together.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses magnify and exalt consistently with the original Hebrew meaning.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb גַּדְּל֣וּ (magnify) governs the entire verse, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase indicating the object of the action and a second verb phrase inviting the community to exalt. This structure emphasizes the call to action in worship.
The adverb יַחְדָּֽו (together) highlights the unity of purpose among the worshippers, reinforcing the collective nature of the praise.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew גַּדְּל֣וּ is rendered as ἐπαινεσθήσεται, which means 'to be praised.' This choice broadens the focus from merely magnifying to actively engaging in praise, suggesting a more dynamic expression of worship.
The translation reflects an understanding of the communal aspect of worship, aligning with the Hebrew intent of inviting others to participate.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 34:3 invites everyone to join in praising the LORD together. The psalmist emphasizes that worship is a communal act, where the greatness of God is acknowledged and celebrated collectively.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To magnify the LORD means to acknowledge His greatness and power, making His glory known to others.
Worshiping together fosters unity and strengthens the community's faith, as they collectively acknowledge God's goodness.
We can exalt His name together through prayer, singing, and sharing testimonies of His faithfulness.
The name of the LORD represents His character, authority, and the covenant relationship He has with His people.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively participate in magnifying the LORD in my community?
- How does the concept of unity in worship impact my personal faith?
- What are some specific attributes of God that I can praise Him for today?
- How can I encourage others to join in worship and exaltation of God's name?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the communal aspect of worship and the call to magnify God together.
Now follows, "O magnify the Lord with me" [Psalms 34:3]. Who is this that exhorts us, that we should magnify the Lord with him? Whoever, Brethren, is in the body of Christ,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 34:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleO magnify the Lord with me,.... The psalmist invites the humble ones, who he knew would rejoice at the goodness of God to him, to join with him in ascribing greatness to the Lord, which is meant by
Read John Gill on Psalms 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryO magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Magnify the Lord ... - assign to Him the greatness which really belongs to Him (Psalms 69:30).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleJoin your praises with mine, O all ye humble ones. Together; not in place, for David was now banished from the place of God’ s public worship, but in affection and work: let our souls meet, and let our praises meet in the ears of the all-hearing God. Or, alike, i.e. with equal zeal and fervency; let none be willing to be outstripped by another.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.Ver. 3. O magnify the Lord with me] As not sufficient to do so great a work himself, he calleth in the help of others. We read of a monster rather than a man, who lying on his death bed, not only himself swore as fast and as furiously as he could, but desperately desired the bystanders to help him with oaths, and to swear for him. I knew the man, saith mine author (Bolton, Assize Serm.). And should not we much more call upon others to join their forces with ours in magnifying the Lord? Birds, when they come to a full heap of corn, will chirp and call in for their fellows. Charity is no churl; goodness is diffusive.…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Magnify the Lord with me] גדלו ליהוה gaddelu lavhovah, "make greatness to Jehovah;" show his greatness; and let "us exalt his name," let us show how high and glorious it is.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3, 4. Addressing the humble, he invites them to join in thanksgiving for his deliverance.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleO magnify the Lord with me - This seems to be addressed primarily to the “humble,” those referred to in the previous verse.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 34 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. Magnify… exalt his name—Not absolutely, but relatively in the eyes of men, by showing forth his wonderful mercies. We magnify God by ascribing greatness to him. Deuteronomy 32:3.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 34 →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
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.
Oh magnify Yahweh with me. Let’s exalt his name together.
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.
Magnify the Lord with me! Let’s praise his name together!
Tyndale line
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Oh magnify Jehovah with me, And let us exalt his name together.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Praise ye the Lord with me, and let vs magnifie his Name together.
Strictly literal
Magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Ascribe ye greatness to Jehovah with me, And we exalt His name together.
Ascribe greatness to YHWH with me, || And we exalt His Name together.
(34:4) Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Praise Yahweh with me, let us lift up his name together.
From the Latin
Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.
Simplified
Glorify God with me; together let's honor his reputation.
O give praise to the Lord with me; let us be witnesses together of his great name.
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 reads גַּדְּל֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה אִתִּ֑י וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה שְׁמ֣וֹ יַחְדָּֽו׃, while the Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong agreement in the core message of the verse, though the word order differs.
גַּדְּל֣וּ לַיהוָ֣ה אִתִּ֑י וּנְרוֹמְמָ֖ה שְׁמ֣וֹ יַחְדָּֽו׃
5 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 34:3
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.
גָּדַל (gadal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to grow up or become great. It encompasses a range of meanings including to magnify, promote, and make powerful. The word has various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of growth and greatness. Notably, it can also imply self-magnification.
גָּדַל 115 vb. grow up, become great
Qal
grow up
become great
to be magnified
Pi.
cause to grow
make great, powerful
magnify
Pu. brought up
Hiph.
make great
magnify
do great things
Hithp. I will magnify myself
base
H1431 גָּדַל grow up, become great .. grow up
. become great
. to be magnified
. . cause to grow
. make great, powerful
. magnify
. brought up
. . make great
. magnify
. do great things
. I will magnify myself
1431 gadal gaw-dal'
a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare 1434), i.e. to
be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body,
mind, estate or honor, also in pride):--advance, boast, bring
up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax),
great(-er, come to...estate, + things), grow(up),increase,
lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass,
promote, proudly (spoken), tower.
see HEBREW for 01434
גָּדַל (ga.dal) — to magnify.
1) to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to grow up
1a2) to become great
1a3) to be magnified
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to cause to grow
1b2) to make great, powerful
1b3) to magnify
1c) (Pual) to be brought up
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to make great
1d2) to magnify
1d3) to do great things
1e) (Hithpael) to magnify oneself
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
mag'-ni-fi (Hiphil of gadhal; megaluno, "to make great," "extol," "celebrate in praise"): Used especially of exaltation of the name, mercy, and other attributes of God (Ge 19:19; 2Sa 7:26; Ps 35:27; 40:16; 70:4; Lu 1:46; Ac 10:46); of God's "word" (Ps 138:2); or of Christ (Ac 19:17; Php 1:20). Men also can be "magnified" (Jos 4:14; 1Ch 29:25, etc.).…
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)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
The Hebrew word אֵת (eth) is a preposition indicating nearness or proximity, often translated as 'with' or 'near.' It conveys a sense of companionship or association, distinguishing itself from similar terms by expressing closer relationships. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including possession and memory, but do not provide specific verse references.
אֵת, prep. with—prep. denoting proximity
Of companionship, together with
Of localities
אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially
in one's possession or keeping
in one's knowledge or memory
מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
base
H854 אֵת with—prep. denoting proximity . Of companionship, together with
. Of localities
. אֵת פּ׳ denotes specially . in one's possession or keeping
. in one's knowledge or memory
. מֵאֵת from proximity with
Note. אֵת expresses closer association than עִם: hence while מֵעִם sts. denotes hardly more than from the surroundings or belongings of, מֵאֵת expresses from close proximity to.
854 'eth ayth
probably from 579; properly, nearness (used only as a
preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by,
at, among, etc.:--against, among, before, by, for, from,
in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional
prefix.
see HEBREW for 0579
אֵת (et) — with.
1) with, near, together with
1a) with, together with
1b) with (of relationship)
1c) near (of place)
1d) with (poss.)
1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
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
HC/Vpc1cp — Conjunction · verb piel infinitive construct first person common pluralHC/Vpc1cp
eg-zolt' (rum, gabhah (mappiq he), nasa'; hupsoo):
The Hebrew word most often translated "exalt," "exalted," is rum; "to lift up," "to be or become high." It is used with reference to both God and man, eg. Ex 15:2, "My father's God, and I will exalt him"; Ps 99:5,9, "Exalt ye Yahweh our God"; compare 107:32; 118:28; 1Sa 2:10, "Exalt the horn of his anointed"; Job 17:4, "Therefore shalt thou not exalt them"; compare Isa 13:2 the King James Version; 14:13; gabhah, "to be high," figuratively "to be exalted," occurs in Job 36:7;
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms
יַ֫חַד (yachad) refers to the concept of unitedness or being together. It can function as a noun meaning 'unitedness' and as an adverb meaning 'together.' The word is built from a root that emphasizes unity and is used in various contexts in the Old Testament.
יַ֫חַד 45 n.[m.] unitedness
as subst.
elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together
base
יָחְדָּו 92 adv. together
base
H3162a יַ֫חַד unitedness . as subst.
. elsewhere always in acc. as adv. in union, together
H3162b יָחְדָּו adv. together
3162 yachad yakh'-ad
from 3161; properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly:--alike,
at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-)together, withal.
see HEBREW for 03161
יַ֫חַד (ya.chad) — unitedness.
1) union, unitedness
יָחְדָּו (yach.dav) — together.
adv
together
HD — AdverbHD
