Psalms 95:2 — Word Study
WLCנְקַדְּמָ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּתוֹדָ֑ה בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת נָרִ֥יעַֽ לֽוֹ׃
BSALet us enterqâdam [come before, meet] His presencepânîym [face, before Him] with thanksgivingtôwdâh [praise, worship] let us make a joyful noiserûwaʻ [loud, celebratory, shout, song] in songzâmîyr [psalms, musical worship]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| נְקַדְּמָ֣ה | let us approach | Verb, Piel, infinitive construct first person common plural |
| פָנָ֣יו | presence his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| בְּתוֹדָ֑ה | with thanksgiving | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת | with songs | Preposition, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| נָרִ֥יעַֽ | let us shout for joy | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common plural |
| לֽוֹ׃ | to him | Preposition, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song. |
| KJV | Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. |
| ASV | Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. |
| YLT | We come before His face with thanksgiving, With psalms we shout to Him. |
| WEB | Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs! |
| BBE | Let us come before his face with praises; and make melody with holy songs. |
Where they part company is בְּתוֹדָ֑ה — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases that describe how to approach God and another main clause that emphasizes the joyful expression of worship.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָדַם
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 95:2
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 95:2 invites the faithful to enter God's presence with thanksgiving and joyful song. This verse is part of a larger call to worship in Psalm 95, where the psalmist emphasizes the importance of approaching God with a heart full of gratitude and joy, reflecting the community's relationship with their Creator. The surrounding verses encourage a communal expression of praise, as seen in verse 1, where the people are called to sing and shout to the Lord.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 7:7 | Let the assembled peoples gather around You; take Your seat over them on high. |
| 2 | Psalm 100:2–4 | Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 31:12–13 | They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD— the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. |
| 4 | Psalm 17:13 | Arise, O LORD, confront them! Bring them to their knees; deliver me from the wicked by Your sword, |
| 5 | Psalm 105:2 | Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְקַדְּמָ֣ה, ne.ka.de.Mahgenerated
The word נְקַדְּמָ֣ה (ne.ka.de.Mah) comes from the root קָדַם (qadam), which means 'to meet' or 'to approach.' This verb is in the Piel form, indicating a deliberate action of coming before someone, often for the purpose of seeking help or favor. In this context, it signifies a purposeful approach to God, highlighting the act of drawing near to Him in worship.
The use of the infinitive construct in the first person plural suggests a communal invitation, as the psalmist includes the entire congregation in this act of approaching God. The emphasis is on the collective action of coming together to meet God, reinforcing the community aspect of worship.
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 נְקַדְּמָ֣ה (let us approach) governs the entire verse, with two phrases expanding on how this approach is to be made: one detailing the manner — בְּתוֹדָ֑ה (with thanksgiving) — and the other specifying the expression of joy — בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת (with songs). The structure emphasizes the communal action of approaching God in worship.
The word order places the verbs first, highlighting the actions of approaching and shouting as central to the worship experience, while the prepositional phrases provide the context for these actions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, נְקַדְּמָ֣ה is rendered as προφθάσωμεν (let us hasten), which suggests a sense of urgency in approaching God. This choice indicates an interpretation that emphasizes not just the act of coming before God, but doing so with eagerness and readiness.
The word for 'presence' in the LXX is αὐτοῦ (His), maintaining the focus on God's face or presence, reinforcing the relational aspect of worship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 95:2 encourages the community to come before God with thankfulness and joyful songs. It highlights the importance of worshiping God with a heart full of gratitude and joy, inviting everyone to participate in this act of praise.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Entering His presence with thanksgiving means approaching God with a heart full of gratitude, acknowledging His goodness and grace.
A joyful noise reflects the joy and celebration of the worshippers, expressing their love and reverence for God.
We can make a joyful noise to God through singing, shouting, and expressing our praise in various forms of worship.
Community plays a vital role in worship as this verse invites everyone to come together, emphasizing the collective nature of approaching God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I cultivate a heart of thanksgiving in my daily life?
- What are some ways I can express joy in my worship to God?
- Why is it important to worship God together as a community?
- How does approaching God with gratitude change my perspective on my circumstances?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church father Augustine of Hippo references this verse to discuss the importance of confession in worship, highlighting its dual meaning in Scripture.
"Let us prevent His face by confession" [Psalms 95:2]. Confession has a double meaning in Scripture. There is a confession of him who praises, there is that of him who groans.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 95 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 95:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet us come before his presence with thanksgiving,.... Come with the sacrifice of praise, there being no other in the days of the Messiah, all ceremonial sacrifices being put an end to when his
Read John Gill on Psalms 95 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 95 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHis presence; which he will then afford us in a singular manner, in his Son the Messiah, in and by whom he will be visibly present with the sons of men.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 95 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.Ver. 2. Let us come before his presence] Heb. prevent his face, be there with the first. "Let us go speedily … I will go also," Zechariah 8:21. Let praise wait for God in Sion, Psalms 65:1. Rabbi Gaon, Praeveniamus et ante diem iudicii, Let us make haste, saith he, to do it, before the day of judgment; and lest we be taken with our task undone. Others, Let us anticipate his face, that is, prepare our hearts at home, before we come into the public; or, let us give thanks for mercies already received, that we may make way for more. With psalms] Oratione prorsa et vorsa.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 95 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) Come before.—Literally, go to meet. It is the word rendered “prevent” in Psalms 18:5, where see Note.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 95 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. Let us come before his presence] פניו panaiv, his faces, with thanksgiving, בתודה bethodah, with confession, or with the confession-offering. Praise him for what he has already done, and confess your unworthiness of any of his blessings. The confession-offering, the great atoning sacrifice, can alone render your acknowledgment of sin and thanksgiving acceptable to a holy and just God.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 95 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. Let us present ourselves before his face with thanksgiving, Let us shout unto him with psalms. Let us present ourselves before Him in His Temple, bringing with us the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Cp. Micah 6:6; Psalms 50:14; Psalms 50:23.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 95 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet us come before his presence - Margin, as in Hebrew, “prevent his face.” The word in Hebrew means literally to come before; to anticipate.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 95 →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
Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.
Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs!
Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.
Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving! Let’s shout out to him in celebration!
Tyndale line
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Let vs come before his face with praise: let vs sing loude vnto him with Psalmes.
Strictly literal
Let us come before his face with thanksgiving; let us shout aloud unto him with psalms.
We come before His face with thanksgiving, With psalms we shout to Him.
We come before His face with thanksgiving, || We shout to Him with psalms.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and shout joyfully unto him with psalms.
Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving; let us sing to him with psalms of praise.
From the Latin
Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Simplified
Let's go before him with thanksgiving! Let's sing loudly to him in celebration!
Let us come before his face with praises; and make melody with holy songs.
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 of Psalms 95:2 reads "נְקַדְּמָ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּתוֹדָ֑ה בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת נָרִ֥יעַֽ לֽוֹ׃" which translates to "Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation here, shows a complete agreement with the Masoretic Text in terms of the words used, indicating that all six words correspond directly. There are no significant differences noted between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint in this instance, suggesting a strong textual consistency across these ancient witnesses.
נְקַדְּמָ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּתוֹדָ֑ה בִּ֝זְמִר֗וֹת נָרִ֥יעַֽ לֽוֹ׃
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 95:2
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.
קָדַם (qadam) is a verb meaning to meet or come in front of someone or something. It covers actions such as anticipating, leading, and confronting, with nuances in its Piel and Hiphil forms. The entries emphasize its use in contexts of meeting or preceding, but do not provide specific verse references.
[קָדַם] vb. Pi. denom. come or be in front, meet
base
H6923 [קָדַם] vb. Pi. denom. come or be in front, meet
6923 qadam kaw-dam'
a primitive root; to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence,
to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help):--come (go,
(flee)) before, + disappoint, meet, prevent.
קָדַם (qa.dam) — to meet.
1) to meet, come or be in front, confront, go before
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to meet, confront, come to meet, receive
1a2) to go before, go in front, be in front
1a3) to lead, be beforehand, anticipate, forestall
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to come in front
1b2) to confront, anticipate
V-Piel-1cp — Verb · Piel · infinitive construct first person common pluralHVpc1cp
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
תּוֹדָה (to-dah) means 'thanksgiving' and encompasses various forms of praise, including songs of worship and thank-offerings. It is derived from the root meaning 'to extend the hand' and can refer to a choir or procession of worshippers. The entries consistently highlight its liturgical context and the act of giving thanks to God.
תּוֹדָה n.f. thanksgiving
give praise to י׳
thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship
thanksgiving choir, procession, line, company
thank-offering
base
H8426 תּוֹדָה thanksgiving . give praise to י׳
. thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship
. thanksgiving choir, procession, line, company
. thank=offering
8426 towdah to-daw'
from 3034; properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by
implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a
choir of worshippers:--confession, (sacrifice of) praise,
thanks(-giving, offering).
see HEBREW for 03034
תּוֹדָה (to.dah) — thanksgiving.
1) confession, praise, thanksgiving
1a) give praise to God
1b) thanksgiving in songs of liturgical worship, hymn of praise
1c) thanksgiving choir or procession or line or company
1d) thank-offering, sacrifice of thanksgiving
1e) confession
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
→ See PRAISE
→ See THANKFULNESS
זָמִיר (zamiyr) refers to a song, particularly one meant to be accompanied by instrumental music. It can denote a psalm or singing in general. The word is derived from a root associated with music, specifically זָמַר (zamar), which relates to singing.
[זָמִיר] n.m. song
base
H2158 [זָמִיר] song
2158 zamiyr zaw-meer'
or zamir {zaw-meer'}; and (feminine) zmirah {zem-ee-raw'};
from 2167; a song to be accompanied with instrumental
music:--psalm(-ist), singing, song.
see HEBREW for 02167
זָמִיר (za.mir) — song.
song, psalm
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absoluteHR/Ncfpa
Songs
Of Moses (Ex. 15; Num. 21:17; Deut. 32; Rev. 15:3), Deborah (Judg. 5), Hannah (1 Sam. 2), David (2 Sam. 22, and Psalms), Mary (Luke 1:46-55), Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79), the angels (Luke 2:13), Simeon (Luke 2:29), the redeemed (Rev. 5:9; 19), Solomon (see SOLOMON, SONGS OF).
רוּעַ (ruwa`) is a Hebrew verb primarily meaning to shout or raise a sound. It encompasses a range of actions, including giving a blast with a horn, shouting in alarm or joy, and even signaling for battle. The word can also imply destruction in certain contexts. The entries highlight its use in various forms, such as Hiphil and Niphal.
[רוּעַ] vb. Hiph. 40 1. raise a shout. 2. give a blast with clarion or horn
Pō‛lal. a shout shall not be uttered
Hithpō‛l.
shout in triumph
shout for joy
base
H7321 [רוּעַ] Hiph. 1. raise a shout. 2. give a blast with clarion or horn
7321 ruwa` roo-ah'
a primitive root; to mar (especially by breaking);
figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for
alarm or joy):--blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out),
destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an
alarm, triumph.
רוּעַ (ru.a) — to shout.
1) to shout, raise a sound, cry out, give a blast
1a) (Hiphil)
1a1) to shout a war-cry or alarm of battle
1a2) to sound a signal for war or march
1a3) to shout in triumph (over enemies)
1a4) to shout in applause
1a5) to shout (with religious impulse)
1a6) to cry out in distress
1b) (Polal) to utter a shout
1c) (Hithpolel)
1c1) to shout in triumph
1c2) to shout for joy
2) (Niphal) destroyed
V-Hiphil-1cp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common pluralHVhi1cp
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms