I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

PSALMS 104:33KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 104:33 (KJV)

What does Psalms 104:33 mean?

Psalms 104:33 expresses a personal promise to sing and give praise to the LORD (God) for as long as the speaker lives. The verse highlights a lifelong commitment to worship and gratitude toward God, lasting for the speaker’s entire existence.

The psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, is speaking directly to God in response to reflecting on God’s creative power and care for the world throughout Psalm 104. This verse comes near the end of a long poem describing God’s works in nature, and it sums up the psalmist’s reaction: a vow to continually praise God with song for as long as he has life and breath.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 104:33

  • sing (שִׁיר, shiyr): This word means “to sing,” often with the sense of singing out loud or making music. The psalmist’s promise is not just private appreciation but a vocal, public act of worship.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a direct relationship and covenant with the God of Israel.
  • live (חַי, chay): This word refers to life or being alive. The psalmist ties his worship directly to his ongoing existence—praise is to last as long as he has life.
  • sing (זָמַר, zamar): This second word for “sing praise” can also mean to make music or play an instrument. It adds the idea of musical praise, not just singing words.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is a more general word for God, used throughout the Old Testament, often highlighting God’s power as Creator.
  • being (עוֹד, od): This word means “still,” “yet,” or “while I have being.” It emphasizes the duration of the psalmist’s praise, lasting as long as he exists.

Why Psalms 104:33 matters

  • The verse clarifies that worship in the psalms is not just for special occasions but is meant to be a lifelong response to God’s ongoing care and creativity.
  • By using both “sing” (שִׁיר, shiyr) and “sing praise” (זָמַר, zamar), the verse shows that praise can be expressed in different ways—through song, music, and words.
  • The verse connects personal worship to the larger theme of Psalm 104, which is about recognizing God’s hand in the world and responding with continual gratitude and praise.

Where else these words appear

“being” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 46:30 And Israel said unto Joseph, Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.
  • Deuteronomy 34:10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

“sing” Hebrew H2167 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 5:3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
  • Psalms 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
  • Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

“sing” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
  • Psalms 65:13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.