Psalms 35:18 — Word Study
WLCא֭וֹדְךָ בְּקָהָ֣ל רָ֑ב בְּעַ֖ם עָצ֣וּם אֲהַֽלְלֶֽךָּ׃
BSAThen I will give You thanksyâdâh▸ [offer, express, praise, gratitude] in the greatrab [large, numerous] assemblyqâhâl [congregation, gathering] I will praise Youhâlal▸ [extol, magnify] among manyʻâtsûwm [in the midst of, surrounded by, much, numerous] peopleʻam [nations, crowds]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| א֭וֹדְךָ | I will give thanks to you | Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בְּקָהָ֣ל | in [the] assembly | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| רָ֑ב | great | Adj |
| בְּעַ֖ם | among a people | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| עָצ֣וּם | numerous | Adj |
| אֲהַֽלְלֶֽךָּ׃ | I will praise you | Verb piel imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people. |
| KJV | I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. |
| ASV | I will give thee thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people. |
| YLT | I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee. |
| WEB | I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people. |
| BBE | I will give you praise in the great meeting; I will give you honour among a strong people. |
Where they part company is in the assembly term — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases and a verb phrase, clearly outlining the psalmist's intentions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 35:18
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 Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 35:18 expresses the psalmist's commitment to thank God publicly, highlighting the importance of communal worship. This verse is situated among pleas for deliverance from enemies, emphasizing gratitude as a response to God's help. The psalmist recognizes that giving thanks is not only an individual act but one that is meant to be shared within the community of believers.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 22:22–25 | I will proclaim Your name to my brothers; I will praise You in the assembly. |
| 2 | Psalm 40:9–10 | I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; behold, I do not seal my lips, as You, O LORD, do know. |
| 3 | Psalm 69:30–34 | I will praise God’s name in song and exalt Him with thanksgiving. |
| 4 | Psalm 111:1 | Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. |
| 5 | Psalm 116:14–18 | I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — א֭וֹדְךָ, 'od.khagenerated
The Hebrew word יָדָה (yadah) is a verb meaning to give thanks or praise, derived from a root that conveys the idea of throwing or casting. In this context, it signifies an act of worship that involves extending hands in gratitude, reflecting both personal devotion and public acknowledgment of God's goodness.
The parsing indicates that this is a hiphil imperfect verb in the first person singular, meaning the psalmist is actively choosing to express thanks to God. The suffix indicates that the thanks are directed towards God, making it a personal declaration of praise.
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 main verb of the verse is א֭וֹדְךָ, I will give thanks to You, which governs the entire sentence. This verb is followed by a prepositional phrase describing the context of the thanks and another clause that expresses the intent to praise God.
The structure highlights the psalmist's commitment to public worship, with the assembly and the people providing the setting for this expression of gratitude.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates א֭וֹדְךָ as σοι (to You), indicating a direct address to God, consistent with the Hebrew text. This choice emphasizes the personal nature of the thanksgiving.
The word for assembly in the Septuagint is ἐκκλησίᾳ, which carries a sense of a formal gathering, aligning with the communal aspect of the psalmist's praise.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 35:18 shows the psalmist's intention to thank God publicly in a large assembly. This verse emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude in the company of others, reinforcing the communal aspect of worship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Giving thanks in the assembly signifies a public acknowledgment of God's goodness and faithfulness, encouraging others to join in worship.
Communal worship fosters a sense of community among believers, allowing them to collectively express gratitude and support one another in faith.
You can practice giving thanks by participating in communal worship services, sharing testimonies of God's goodness, and encouraging others to express their gratitude.
The psalmist hopes to inspire others to recognize God's greatness and to foster a collective spirit of worship and thanksgiving.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I express my gratitude to God in a communal setting?
- How does participating in assembly worship deepen my relationship with God?
- What are some specific instances where I have seen God’s goodness that I can share with others?
- How can I encourage others in my community to express their thanks to God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this psalm to discuss the importance of public thanksgiving and worship, highlighting the communal aspect of praising God.
Lastly, would you know what is that Darling? Read the words following: "I will confess unto You, O Lord, in the great Congregation;Early Church Fathers on Psalms 35 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 35:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will give thee thanks in the great congregation,.... This is the resolution the psalmist came unto; the promise he made, that should he be delivered from his enemies, he would give God thanks in
Read John Gill on Psalms 35 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. I will give thee thanks.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 35 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhen I shall be restored to the liberty of the public assemblies and solemn feasts.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 35 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.Ver. 18. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation] For example’ s sake to others; for Magnates magnetos. Acts 18:8, when Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed, many of the Corinthians believed also. Great men are the looking glasses of the country, according to which most men dress themselves; many eyes are upon them; they had need, therefore, to be exact, for they are sure to be exemplary.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 35 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation] I hope to be able to attend at the tabernacle with thy followers, and there publicly express my gratitude for the deliverance thou hast given me.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 35 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. Another parallel to Psalms 22vv22, 25. Cp. Psalms 40:9-10. much people] Or, a mighty people (R.V. marg.). The publicity of the thanksgiving is the point.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 35 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will give thee thanks ... - That is, When I am delivered I will publicly express my gratitude and joy. Compare Psalms 22:25; Psalms 18:49. I will praise thee among much people - Margin, “strong.” So the Hebrew.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 35 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18. I will give… thanks—This promise of thanksgiving closes the second strophe. Congregation—Septuagint, εκκλησια, the word everywhere translated Church in New Testament. David would honour God before all the devout people.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 35 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.
Then I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you before a large crowd of people!
Tyndale line
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
I will give thee thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among many people.
So will I giue thee thankes in a great Congregation: I will praise thee among much people.
Strictly literal
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation; I will praise thee among much people.
I thank Thee in a great assembly, Among a mighty people I praise Thee.
I thank You in a great assembly, || I praise You among a mighty people.
I will thank thee in the great assembly: among a mighty people will I praise thee.
Then I will thank you in the great assembly; I will praise you among many people.
Simplified
Then I will thank you in front of the whole congregation and praise you in front of all the people.
I will give you praise in the great meeting; I will give you honour among a strong people.
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 closely, with all six words matched in the Hebrew and Greek. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations, with partial restorations but no significant differences in meaning.
א֭וֹדְךָ בְּקָהָ֣ל רָ֑ב בְּעַ֖ם עָצ֣וּם אֲהַֽלְלֶֽךָּ׃
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.
[אוד׳ך] בקהל רב בעם עצום אהלל׳כה
3 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 1 supplied entire by an editor.
[אוד׳ך] [בקהל] [רב] [בעם] [עצום] [אהלל׳ך]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
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 35:18
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.
יָדָה (yadah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to throw or cast, particularly in the context of shooting arrows or stones. It also encompasses the meanings of giving thanks, praising, and confessing, especially in a ritual context. The word is built from a primitive root and has various forms, including Qal, Piel, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances of action.
[יָדָה] vb. throw, cast
Qal shoot (arrows) at
Pi. and they cast (stones) on me
Hiph.
give thanks, laud, praise
confess
Hithp.
confess
give thanks, in ritual worship
base
H3034 [יָדָה] throw, cast .shoot (arrows) at
. and they cast (stones) on me
. . give thanks, laud, praise
. confess
. . confess
. give thanks, in ritual worship
3034 yadah yaw-daw'
a primitive root; used only as denominative from 3027;
literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to
throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or
worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by
wringing the hands):--cast (out), (make) confess(-ion),
praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving).
see HEBREW for 03027
יָדָה (ya.dah) — to give thanks.
1) to throw, shoot, cast
1a) (Qal) to shoot (arrows)
1b) (Piel) to cast, cast down, throw down
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to give thanks, laud, praise
1c2) to confess, confess (the name of God)
1d) (Hithpael)
1d1) to confess (sin)
1d2) to give thanks
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדָא "to praise" H3029)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVhi1cs/Sp2ms
קָהָל (qahal) refers to an assembly or congregation, often used in contexts like religious gatherings or groups formed for specific purposes, including war or counsel. It is derived from a root meaning to assemble. The term encompasses various forms of organized groups, including returning exiles.
קָהָל 123 n.m. assembly, convocation, congregation
base
H6951 קָהָל assembly, convocation, congregation
6951 qahal kaw-hawl'
from 6950; assemblage (usually concretely):--assembly,
company, congregation, multitude.
see HEBREW for 06950
קָהָל (qa.hal) — assembly.
1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation
1a) assembly
1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes
1b) company (of returning exiles)
1c) congregation
1c1) as organised body
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
a-sem'-bli (qahal; ekklesia): The common term for a meeting of the people called together by a crier. It has reference therefore to any gathering of the people called for any purpose whatsoever (Ex 12:6; Ps 22:16 the King James Version; Ps 89:7 the King James Version; Ac 19:32,41). The solemn assemblies of the Jews were their feasts or religious gatherings of any kind (Isa 1:13). The word paneguris, "a general festal assembly" (Heb 12:23), is transferred from the congregation of the people of Israel to the Christian church of which the congregation of Israel was a…
רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.
רַב 429 adj. much, many, great
(oft. opp. מְעַט)
much: of substances
esp. of collectives, numerous
pl. many
רַב as subst. coll. pers.
cstr. = abounding in
מִן comp. = more numerous than
רַב = abundant, enough
as adv. much, exceedingly
less oft. great
base
רַב 49 n.m. chief
base
H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances
. esp. of collectives, numerous
. pl. many
. רַב as subst. coll. pers.
. cstr. = abounding in
. + מִן comp. = more numerous than
. רַב = abundant, enough
. as adv. much, exceedingly
. less oft. great
H7227b רַב chief
7227 rab rab
by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,
number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),
captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,
one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,
things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)
much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,
populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
see HEBREW for 07231
רַב (rav) — many.
adj
1) much, many, great
1a) much
1b) many
1c) abounding in
1d) more numerous than
1e) abundant, enough
1f) great
1g) strong
1h) greater than
adv
1i) much, exceedingly
רַב (rav) — chief.
captain, chief
Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)
רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.
Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)
§ captain, chief
Adj — AdjHAamsa
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
עָצוּם (atsuwm) is an adjective meaning mighty or numerous. It conveys strength and power, often in the context of numbers. The word is derived from a root meaning to be powerful, and it appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing might and abundance.
עָצוּם 31 adj. mighty, numerous
base
H6099 עָצוּם mighty, numerous
6099 `atsuwm aw-tsoom'
or matsum {aw-tsoom'}; passive participle of 6105; powerful
(specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous:--+ feeble,
great, mighty, must, strong.
see HEBREW for 06105
עָצוּם (a.tsum) — mighty.
1) mighty, vast, numerous
1a) mighty, strong (in number)
1b) numerous, countless
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word הָלַל (halal) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to shining, boasting, and foolishness. It can signify to praise or celebrate, often in a clamorously foolish manner, and includes the idea of making a boast or being made a fool of. The entries indicate a range of uses, from expressing God's favor to acting madly.
[הָלַל] vb. shine
Qal when it, viz. his lamp, shone upon my head, fig. of God’s favour.
Hiph. flash forth light
base
[הָלַל] vb. be boastful, Pi. praise
Qal be boastful
Pi.
praise man or woman
usually praise י׳
appar. boast, make one’s boast
Pu. be praised
Hithpa. glory, boast, make one’s boast
Po‛el make into a fool, make a fool of
Po‛al of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
Hithpo. act madly, or like a madman
base
H1984a הָלַל shine H1984b הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise H1984c הָלַל be boastful, Pi. praise .be boastful
. . praise man or woman
. usually praise י׳
. appar. boast, make one’s boast
. be praised
. glory, boast, make one’s boast
.make into a fool, make a fool of
.of laughter I said, It is mad (folly)
. act madly, or like a madman
1984 halal haw-lal'
a primitive root; 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; causatively, to celebrate;
also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend,
(deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make,
feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy
of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to shine.
1) to shine
1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour)
1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: praise.
: praise
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
1d) (Hithpael) to boast, glory, make one's boast
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to be foolish.
1) (Poel) to make a fool of, make into a fool
1f) (Hithpoel) to act madly, act like a madman
הָלַל (ha.lal) — to boast: boast.
: boast
1) to praise, boast, be boastful
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be boastful
1a2) boastful ones, boasters (participle)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to praise
1b2) to boast, make a boast
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be praised, be made praiseworthy, be commended, be worthy of praise
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff — Verb piel imperfect first person common singular · suffixHVpi1cs/Sp2ms