Psalms 30:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 30:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his, And give thanks to his holy memorial [name].” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his, And give thanks to his holy memorial [name].
Psalms 30:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his, And give thanks to his holy memorial [name].

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, etc.] Such to whom he has been gracious and merciful, and has blessed with pardoning grace, and justifying righteousness, adoption, and a right to eternal life; and who are holy godly persons; in whose hearts principles of grace and holiness are formed; and who are kind and bountiful to others: all which the word f457 here used signifies: and these are the Lord’s; they are set apart for him, and they are sanctified by him; and therefore should sing his praises, both vocally, and with melody in their hearts; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; which is essential to him, and in which he is glorious; and which appears in all his ways and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“remembrance--the thing remembered or memorial. holiness--as the sum of God's perfections (compare Psa 22:3), used as name (Exo 3:15; Psa 135:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his - This call upon others to give thanks to God is in view of the mercy which he had experienced. He invites them to unite with him in celebrating the praises of that God who had showed him so much mercy. It was not because they had been benefited by these tokens of the divine favor; but: (a) because when we are partakers of the divine mercy, we desire that others may assist us in giving utterance to the praise due to God; and (b) because others may learn from the mercies bestowed on us that God is worthy of praise, or may see in His dealings with us an argument for His goodness; and may, therefore, appropriately unite in His praise. Thus religion…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:4 The godly should celebrate the Lord’s acts of rescue with song and praise (33:21; 97:12; 103:1; 105:3; 145:21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sing: Psa 32:11, Psa 33:1-3, Psa 97:12, Psa 103:20-22, Psa 132:9, Psa 135:19-21, Psa 148:14, Psa 149:1; Ch1 16:4; Rev 19:5, Rev 19:6 at the remembrance: or, to the memorial, Psa 97:12 \*marg. holiness: Exo 15:11; Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8 Psalms 30:5”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Heb.: 30:5-6) Psa 30:4 call upon all the pious to praise this God, who after a short season of anger is at once and henceforth gracious. Instead of שׁם of Jahve, we find the expression זכר in this instance, as in Psa 97:12 after Exo 3:15. Jahve, by revealing Himself, renders Himself capable of being both named and remembered, and that in the most illustrious manner. The history of redemption is, as it were, an unfolding of the Name of Jahve and at the same time a setting up of a monument, an establishment of a memorial, and in fact the erection of a זכר קדשׁ; because all God's self-attestations, whether in love or in wrath, flow from the sea of light of His holiness. When He manifests…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification