Psalms 47:6 — Word Study
WLCזַמְּר֣וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים זַמֵּ֑רוּ זַמְּר֖וּ לְמַלְכֵּ֣נוּ זַמֵּֽרוּ׃
BSAto Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the supreme Lord]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זַמְּר֣וּ | sing praises to | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| אֱלֹהִ֣ים | God | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| זַמֵּ֑רוּ | sing praises | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| זַמְּר֖וּ | sing praises | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| לְמַלְכֵּ֣נוּ | to king our | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| זַמֵּֽרוּ׃ | sing praises | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! |
| KJV | Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. |
| ASV | Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises. |
| YLT | Praise God — praise — give praise to our king, praise. |
| WEB | Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises! |
| BBE | Give praises to God, make songs of praise; give praises to our King, make songs of praise. |
The translations agree on the phrase זַמְּר֣וּ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two imperative phrases, creating a rhythmic call to worship.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָלָה
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 47:6
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 Praisegenerated
Psalm 47:6 is a directive to celebrate and praise God, who reigns as King. This psalm emphasizes the joy and reverence that should accompany worship, inviting the faithful to express their adoration through song. The surrounding verses highlight God's ascension and dominion over the earth, reinforcing the call to worship Him with joyful noise.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 96:1–2 | Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. |
| 2 | Psalm 117:1–2 | Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol Him, all you peoples! |
| 3 | Psalm 149:1–3 | Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song— His praise in the assembly of the godly. |
| 4 | Exodus 15:21 | And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.” |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 16:9 | Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זַמְּר֣וּ, za.me.Rugenerated
The Hebrew verb זָמַר (zamar) means to sing or make music, particularly in praise of God. It comes from a root that suggests touching the strings of a musical instrument, indicating a connection between music and worship. The Piel form here emphasizes the action of making music in a communal setting of praise.
In this verse, זַמְּר֣וּ is an imperative, calling the congregation to actively engage in singing praises. It reflects a collective response to God's majesty and is repeated for emphasis, underscoring the importance of worship in the life of the faithful.
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 verse comprises several clauses, with the finite verb זַמְּר֣וּ (sing praises) leading the charge. Each subsequent phrase reinforces the call to worship, creating a rhythmic structure that emphasizes the act of praising God.
The repetition of the verb זַמְּר֣וּ throughout the verse serves to create a poetic and musical quality, fitting for the context of worship in the Psalms.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זַמְּר֣וּ with ἀνέβη (anebē), which means 'ascended.' This choice reflects an interpretation that connects the act of singing praises with the ascension of God, emphasizing His exalted position.
This translation shows a narrowing focus on God's sovereignty, aligning the act of praise with His divine authority.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 47:6 invites everyone to sing praises to God and to acknowledge Him as our King. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the joy and celebration that should accompany our worship.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To sing praises to God means to express joy and adoration through music, acknowledging His greatness and sovereignty.
Singing is important in worship as it allows the congregation to unite in expressing their love and reverence for God, enhancing the communal experience.
For God to be our King means recognizing His authority and rule over our lives, and responding to Him with obedience and worship.
You can incorporate singing into your personal worship by choosing songs that reflect your faith and using them as a way to communicate with God in prayer and praise.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways I can express my praise to God in my daily life?
- How does understanding God as King influence my worship?
- In what settings do I feel most compelled to sing praises?
- How can I encourage others to join in praising God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, emphasizing the dual nature of Christ as both God and Man, and the call to praise Him accordingly.
"Sing praises to our God, sing praises" [Psalms 47:6]. Whom as Man mocked they, who from God were alienated. "Sing praises to our God." For He is not Man only, but God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 47 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 47:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSing praises to God,.... That is gone up with a shout, Christ Jesus, our ascended Lord and King, as the apostles did at the time of his ascension, Lu 24:52; sing praises; sing praises unto our King,
Read John Gill on Psalms 47 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 47 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThese words are repeated four times in this verse, to show how vehemently desirous the psalmist was that God might have his due praise and glory; and of how great necessity and importance it was to men to perform this great, though much neglected, duty. Unto our King; for so he is in a special manner.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 47 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.Ver. 6. Sing praises to God, sing praises] Do it with all alacrity, assiduity, being of that martyr’ s mind who said, Should I do nothing else all the days of my life, yea, as long as the days of heaven shall last, but kneel upon my knees, and repeat over David’ s psalms to the glory and praise of God, yet should I fall infinitely short of what is my duty to do.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 47 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Sing praises.—Better, Strike the harp.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 47 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Sing praises] זמרו zammeru: this word is four times repeated in this short verse, and shows at once the earnestness and happiness of the people. They are the words of exultation and triumph. Feel your obligation to God; express it in thanksgiving: be thankful, be eternally thankful, to God your King.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 47 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Sing praises] The verb from which mizmôr, ‘a psalm,’ is derived. See Introd. p. xix.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 47 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSing praises to God, sing praises - This commences the “second” part of the psalm. The “repetition” shows that the heart was full, or was overflowing with joy.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 47 →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
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Sing to God! Sing! Sing to our king! Sing!
Tyndale line
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Sing prayses to God, sing prayses: sing prayses vnto our King, sing prayses.
Strictly literal
Sing psalms of God, sing psalms; sing psalms unto our King, sing psalms!
Praise God — praise — give praise to our king, praise.
Praise God—praise—give praise to our king, praise.
(47:7) Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
From the Latin
So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:
Simplified
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!
Give praises to God, make songs of praise; give praises to our King, make songs of praise.
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 on the wording of Psalm 47:6, with all six words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the text's meaning across these traditions.
זַמְּר֣וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים זַמֵּ֑רוּ זַמְּר֖וּ לְמַלְכֵּ֣נוּ זַמֵּֽרוּ׃
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 47:6
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.
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)
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; 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 deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA
1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought
2. Definition of the Idea
3. The Knowledge of God
4. Ethnic Ideas of God
(1) Animism
(2) Fetishism
(3) Idolatry
(4) Polytheism
(5) Henotheism
(6) Pantheism
(7) Deism
(8) Semitic Monolatry
(9) Monotheism
II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Course of Its Development
2. Forms of Its Manifestation
(1) The Face or Countenance of God
(2) The Voice and Word of God
(3) The Glory of God
(4) The Angel of God
(5) The Spirit of God
(6) The Name of God
(7) Occasional Forms
3. The Names of God
(1) Generic
(2) Attributive
(3) Yahweh
4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God
(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel
(a) His Early Worship
(b) Popular Religion
(c) Polytheistic Tendencies
(i) Coordination
(ii) Assimilation
(iii) Disintegration
(d) No Hebrew Goddesses
(e) Human Sacrifices
God
(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).
The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:
(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.
(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…
This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…
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)
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
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)
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
HR/Ncmsc/Sp1bp — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bp
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)
HVpv2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp