And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

PSALMS 27:6KJV
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Psalms 27:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 27:6 mean?

Psalms 27:6 describes how the writer, feeling secure and honored by God, expects to be lifted above his enemies and responds with joyful worship and singing to the LORD. The verse shows a movement from danger to safety, leading to heartfelt praise and celebration in God’s presence.

King David is speaking, expressing confidence that God will protect him from those who surround him with hostility. The “head lifted up” is a picture of victory and restored dignity, not just survival. David’s response is to offer sacrifices and sing praises in God’s “tabernacle,” meaning the place where God’s presence dwells, showing that his gratitude and joy are directed openly and publicly to God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 27:6

  • “Head” (רֹאשׁ, rosh): In Hebrew thought, the head often represents honor or status. Here, David’s “head being lifted up” points to being restored to a place of dignity above his enemies.
  • “Sacrifices of joy” (תְּרוּעָה, teruah): This word often means a loud shout or a joyful noise, not just quiet happiness. David is describing sacrifices that are accompanied by loud, joyful celebration.
  • “Sing” (שִׁיר, shir) and “praises” (זָמַר, zamar): Both words emphasize music and vocal praise. “Zamar” especially points to singing with instruments, highlighting a full, expressive worship.

Why Psalms 27:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s confidence in God leads not just to relief, but to active, joyful worship, showing that gratitude is meant to be expressed outwardly.
  • The focus on “sacrifices of joy” and singing highlights that worship in the Bible is often loud, communal, and celebratory, not just private or quiet.
  • Psalms 27:6 connects to the rest of the psalm by showing the result of trusting God: not just escape from trouble, but a renewed relationship with God marked by public praise.

Where else these words appear

“joy” Hebrew H8643 · used in 33 verses

  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
  • Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

“praises” 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 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
  • Psalms 98:5 Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

“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 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

“offer” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.