King James Version

What Does Psalms 71:22 Mean?

Psalms 71:22 in the King James Version says “I will also praise thee with the psaltery , even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy O...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 71 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will also praise thee with the psaltery , even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. the psaltery: Heb. the instrument of psaltery”

Psalms 71:22 · KJV

Truth

Context

20

Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

21

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.

22

I will also praise thee with the psaltery , even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. the psaltery: Heb. the instrument of psaltery

23

My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.

24

My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.

Read Psalms 71 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel. David vows instrumental and vocal worship in response to anticipated deliverance and comfort. "Psaltery" (נֶבֶל/nevel) was a stringed instrument, possibly lyre or harp. "Harp" (כִּנּוֹר/kinnor) was another stringed instrument David famously played (1 Samuel 16:23). The doubling of instruments emphasizes enthusiasm and comprehensiveness of praise—full orchestration befitting God's glory.

"Even thy truth" (אֲמִתְּךָ/amittekha) identifies the focus of praise. Emet (truth/faithfulness) encompasses reliability, trustworthiness, and covenant faithfulness. David will praise specifically God's proven truth—His faithful fulfillment of promises over decades of life. This isn't abstract praise but testimony-based worship rooted in experienced reality.

"O thou Holy One of Israel" (קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל/Qedosh Yisrael) is Isaiah's favorite title for God, appearing 25 times in Isaiah and rarely elsewhere. It combines transcendence (holiness/separateness) with covenant relationship (Israel's God). God is infinitely above His people yet bound to them in covenant love.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's worship was richly musical. The Levitical choir and orchestra included various stringed, wind, and percussion instruments (1 Chronicles 15:16-24, 25:1-7, 2 Chronicles 29:25-30). David himself organized temple musicians (1 Chronicles 15-16, 23-26), established worship patterns that continued through Israel's history. Psalms were sung with instrumental accompaniment, creating comprehensive sensory worship experience.

The title "Holy One of Israel" emphasizes both God's transcendent holiness and His covenant commitment. He's not generically holy but Israel's Holy One—bound to them despite their sin. Isaiah used this title extensively, particularly in exile contexts where Israel questioned God's faithfulness.

Christian worship continues instrumental and vocal praise tradition, though specific instruments vary culturally. What remains constant is using diverse means—melody, harmony, rhythm, poetry, testimony—to express worship. Paul commands singing "with grace in your hearts to the Lord" using "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does multi-faceted worship—instrumental, vocal, diverse styles—reflect God's multi-faceted glory?
  2. What does it mean to praise God's 'truth'—His proven faithfulness—specifically rather than offering generic worship?
  3. How does the title 'Holy One of Israel' capture both God's transcendence and intimate covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
גַּם1 of 12
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֲנִ֤י׀2 of 12
H589

i

אוֹדְךָ֣3 of 12

“I will also praise”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

בִכְלִי4 of 12

“thee with the psaltery”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

נֶבֶל֮5 of 12
H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

אֲמִתְּךָ֪6 of 12

“even thy truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

אֱלֹ֫הָ֥י7 of 12

“O my 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

אֲזַמְּרָ֣ה8 of 12

“unto thee will I sing”

H2167

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 so

לְךָ֣9 of 12
H0
בְכִנּ֑וֹר10 of 12

“with the harp”

H3658

a harp

קְ֝ד֗וֹשׁ11 of 12

“O thou Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃12 of 12

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 71:22 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 71:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 92:1-32 Kings 19:22Psalms 33:2Psalms 89:18Isaiah 5:24Isaiah 12:6

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 71 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 71 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes