King James Version

What Does Psalms 9:1 Mean?

Psalms 9:1 in the King James Version says “To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben , A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew f...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben , A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

Psalms 9:1 · KJV

Context

1

To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben , A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

2

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

3

When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. This opening declaration establishes David's wholehearted commitment to praise. The psalm is an alphabetic acrostic (though incomplete), where successive verses begin with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet—a poetic device that suggests comprehensive, ordered praise covering the full range of God's character and works.

"With my whole heart" (bekhol-libbi, בְּכָל־לִבִּי) emphasizes undivided devotion. The Hebrew lev (heart) represents not just emotions but the whole inner person—mind, will, affections. David commits his entire being to praise. This stands in contrast to half-hearted, distracted, or reluctant worship. Genuine praise engages the whole person, holding nothing back.

"I will shew forth" (asapprah, אֲסַפְּרָה) uses the verb saphar, meaning to recount, declare, tell, or number. Praise is not merely feeling but proclamation—verbally recounting what God has done. "All thy marvellous works" (kol-nifle'otekha, כָּל־נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ) refers to God's wonderful deeds that inspire awe—acts of power, wisdom, and grace that transcend human capability. These works provide the content of praise.

The verse introduces a psalm celebrating God's justice and deliverance. David writes not from theory but from experience—God has acted on his behalf against enemies, and this reality compels comprehensive thanksgiving. True praise flows from genuine encounter with God's saving power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 9 (along with Psalm 10) forms an extended acrostic poem in the Hebrew text, suggesting they may have originally been one composition. The superscription attributes it to David, "upon Muth-labben" (meaning uncertain—possibly a musical notation or reference to the death of a champion, perhaps Goliath).

The alphabetic acrostic was a common Hebrew poetic device found in several psalms (9-10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145) and in Lamentations and Proverbs 31. This structure served multiple purposes: it aided memorization, suggested completeness (covering the topic from A to Z), and demonstrated literary artistry as an offering to God.

The historical setting likely involves David's deliverance from enemies, possibly during Saul's pursuit or his early kingship when enemies surrounded Israel. The psalm's themes of divine judgment on nations and vindication of the oppressed fit David's experience as both fugitive and king. Early church fathers saw messianic implications in the psalm's celebration of God's universal judgment and eternal kingship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically to praise God with your 'whole heart' rather than with divided affections?
  2. How does recounting ('showing forth') God's works function as a form of praise distinct from simply feeling grateful?
  3. What 'marvellous works' in your own experience compel you to comprehensive thanksgiving?
  4. Why might David structure his praise as an alphabetic acrostic, and what does this suggest about ordered, thoughtful worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אוֹדֶ֣ה1 of 7

“I will 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

יְ֭הוָה2 of 7

“thee O LORD”

H3068

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

בְּכָל3 of 7
H3605

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

לִבִּ֑י4 of 7

“with my whole heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֲ֝סַפְּרָ֗ה5 of 7

“I will shew forth”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

כָּל6 of 7
H3605

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

נִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃7 of 7

“all thy marvellous works”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

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 9:1 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 9:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 86:121 Chronicles 16:24Psalms 145:1-3Psalms 103:1-2Psalms 111:1Psalms 26:7

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