That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

PSALMS 26:7KJV
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Psalms 26:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 26:7 mean?

Psalms 26:7 describes the psalmist’s desire to openly express gratitude to God and to speak about all the amazing things God has done. The verse highlights a commitment to publicly acknowledge God’s goodness through words of thanks and by recounting God’s remarkable deeds.

King David is speaking in this psalm, addressing God in a personal prayer. He is asking for the opportunity to declare his thankfulness out loud and to share stories of God’s wondrous works with others. This verse sits in a passage where David is affirming his integrity and his wish to worship God sincerely, emphasizing both gratitude and testimony as central to his worship.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 26:7

  • "publish" (שָׁמַע, shama‘): This word often means "to hear," but here it carries the sense of "to make heard" or "to proclaim." David wants his thanksgiving to be something others can hear, not just a private feeling.
  • "voice" (קוֹל, qol): This word means "sound" or "voice," emphasizing that David’s thanksgiving is vocal and public, not silent or hidden.
  • "thanksgiving" (תוֹדָה, todah): This term refers to an offering or expression of thanks, often in a formal or communal setting. It suggests that gratitude is meant to be shared, not kept to oneself.
  • "tell" (סָפַר, saphar): This verb means "to recount" or "to declare," highlighting the act of narrating or listing God’s wonderful deeds in detail.
  • "works" (פָּלָא, pala’): This word refers to things that are extraordinary or marvelous, pointing to God’s actions that inspire awe and wonder.

Why Psalms 26:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that gratitude toward God is meant to be expressed openly and shared with others, not just felt privately.
  • Psalms 26:7 emphasizes the importance of remembering and speaking about God’s specific acts, not just offering general praise.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of the psalm, where David seeks to demonstrate his sincerity and integrity by publicly honoring God, setting an example of honest worship.

Where else these words appear

“thanksgiving” Hebrew H8426 · used in 30 verses

  • Leviticus 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
  • Nehemiah 12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
  • Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

“works” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
  • Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!