Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

PSALMS 97:12KJV
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Psalms 97:12 (KJV)

What does Psalms 97:12 mean?

Psalms 97:12 calls on those who are considered righteous to rejoice in the LORD and to give thanks when they remember His holiness. The verse highlights joy and gratitude as fitting responses to God’s pure and set-apart character.

The psalm is part of a song celebrating God’s reign and justice. Here, the speaker addresses people who strive to live rightly (“the righteous”), urging them to respond to God’s holiness with heartfelt joy and thankfulness. The focus is on remembering God’s unique, holy nature and letting that memory shape one’s attitude and worship.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 97:12

  • Rejoice (שָׂמַח, samach): This word is often used for deep, glad-hearted joy, not just outward celebration. The verse invites the righteous to find real joy in their relationship with the LORD.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a covenant relationship rather than a distant deity.
  • Righteous (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This term refers to those who live according to God’s ways, not just morally good people in general.
  • Thanks (יָדָה, yadah): This word means more than polite gratitude; it often involves public praise or confession, showing that giving thanks is an active, expressive response.
  • Remembrance (זֵכֶר, zeker): This word suggests more than just recalling a fact; it means bringing something to mind in a way that shapes one’s actions or feelings.
  • Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): God’s holiness is His set-apartness and moral purity, a central reason for the joy and thanks described here.

Why Psalms 97:12 matters

  • The verse makes clear that joy and gratitude are not just emotions but responses to God’s character, especially His holiness.
  • It connects the idea of remembering God’s holiness with practical worship, showing that memory and action go hand in hand.
  • By calling the righteous to rejoice and give thanks, the verse ties personal faithfulness to a wider celebration of who God is, linking individual lives to the larger story of God’s reign in the psalm.

Where else these words appear

“remembrance” Hebrew H2143 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
  • Psalms 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
  • Psalms 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

“thanks” Hebrew H3034 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 29:35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
  • Psalms 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
  • Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

“Rejoice” Hebrew H8055 · used in 145 verses

  • Exodus 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
  • Psalms 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
  • Proverbs 17:21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.