King James Version

What Does Psalms 106:48 Mean?

Psalms 106:48 in the King James Version says “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.... — study this verse from Psalms chapter 106 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. Praise: Heb. Hallelujah

Psalms 106:48 · KJV


Context

46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

47

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

48

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD. Praise: Heb. Hallelujah


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This concluding doxology serves as both the end of Psalm 106 and the conclusion of Book IV of the Psalter. 'Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting' declares God's eternal nature and covenant relationship with Israel. 'From everlasting to everlasting' (Hebrew 'min ha'olam ve'ad ha'olam') emphasizes God's existence before time began and His continuation beyond all ages. The call for congregational response - 'let all the people say, Amen' - transforms personal meditation into corporate worship. 'Amen' (so be it) expresses agreement, confirmation, and commitment. The doubling 'Amen' appears only here and Psalm 89:52, indicating emphatic affirmation. 'Praise ye the LORD' (Hallelujah) bookends the psalm, begun in verse 1. This structure shows that despite Israel's failures and God's judgments detailed in the psalm, worship and covenant relationship endure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse serves as the formal doxology concluding Book IV of the Psalms (Psalms 90-106). The Psalter is divided into five books, each ending with a doxology (Psalms 41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, and here). These divisions may reflect liturgical use in temple or synagogue worship. The phrase 'God of Israel' emphasizes covenant relationship despite exile and dispersion. The call for 'all the people' to say 'Amen' suggests congregational responsive reading, a practice well-established in Jewish worship (Nehemiah 8:6, 1 Chronicles 16:36). The doxology was likely added by temple musicians or scribes organizing the Psalter for liturgical use. Chronicles records that David appointed Asaph and his brothers to use this very psalm (1 Chronicles 16:34-36), showing its ancient liturgical function. The eternal nature of God's blessedness contrasts with the temporal nature of Israel's kingdoms and exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why is it significant that this doxology emphasizes God's eternal nature after a psalm detailing Israel's temporal failures?
  2. What does the call for corporate 'Amen' reveal about the communal nature of faith and worship?
  3. How does identifying God as 'the LORD God of Israel' maintain covenant hope even in exile?
  4. In what ways does this liturgical structure (opening and closing with 'Praise the LORD') shape our understanding of confession and worship?
  5. Why might the editors of the Psalter have chosen this particular psalm to conclude Book IV?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
בָּ֤רֽוּךְ1 of 14

Blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יְהוָ֨ה2 of 14

be the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֪י3 of 14

God

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל4 of 14

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִן5 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעוֹלָ֗ם6 of 14

from everlasting

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְעַ֬ד7 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הָעוֹלָ֗ם8 of 14

from everlasting

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְאָמַ֖ר9 of 14

say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל10 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֥ם11 of 14

and let all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָמֵ֗ן12 of 14

Amen

H543

sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly

הַֽלְלוּ13 of 14

Praise

H1984

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; causativ

יָֽהּ׃14 of 14

ye the LORD

H3050

jah, the sacred name


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 106:48 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 106:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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