1 The referent of the Hebrew term אֱלֹהִים (’elohim) is unclear. It refers either to the angelic assembly (see Gen 3:5; Ps 8:5) or to the pagan gods (see Pss 82:1, 6; 86:8; 97:7), in which case the psalmist’s praise takes on a polemical tone.
2 The reads, “for you have made great over all your name your word.” If retained, this must mean that God’s mighty intervention, in fulfillment of his word of promise, surpassed anything he had done prior to this. However, the statement is odd and several emendations have been proposed. Some read, “for you have exalted over everything your name and your word,” while others suggest, “for you have exalted over all the heavens your name and your word.” The translation assumes an emendation of “your name” to “your heavens” (a construction that appears in Pss 8:3 and 144:5). The point is that God has been faithful to his promise and the reliability of that promise is apparent to all. For a fuller discussion of these options, see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101–150 (), .
3 Heb “in the day.”
4 Heb “you made me bold in my soul [with] strength.”
5 The prefixed verbal forms here and in the following verse are understood as jussives, for the psalmist appears to be calling upon the kings to praise God. Another option is to take them as imperfects and translate, “the kings of the earth will give thanks … and will sing.” In this case the psalmist anticipates a universal response to his thanksgiving song.
6 Heb “the words of your mouth.”
7 Heb “ways.”
8 Heb “great.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Of David.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

before the gods I sing your praise;

I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

for you have exalted above all things

your name and your word.

On the day I called, you answered me;

my strength of soul you increased.

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,

for they have heard the words of your mouth,

and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

for great is the glory of the Lord.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Of David.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

and will praise your name

for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,

for you have so exalted your solemn decree

that it surpasses your fame.

When I called, you answered me;

you greatly emboldened me.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,

when they hear what you have decreed.

May they sing of the ways of the Lord,

for the glory of the Lord is great.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Of David.

I will give you thanks with all my heart;

I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name

for your constant love and truth.

You have exalted your name

and your promise above everything else.

On the day I called, you answered me;

you increased strength within me.

All the kings on earth will give you thanks, Lord,

when they hear what you have promised.

They will sing of the Lord’s ways,

for the Lord’s glory is great.

NLTNew Living Translation

A psalm of David.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;

I will sing your praises before the gods.

I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.

I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;

for your promises are backed

by all the honor of your name.

As soon as I pray, you answer me;

you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,

for all of them will hear your words.

Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,

for the glory of the Lord is very great.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Of David.

I give you thanks with my whole heart;

before the gods I sing your praise.

I bow down toward your holy temple

and give thanks to your name,

because of your loyal love and faithfulness,

for you have magnified your word according to all your name.

When I called and you answered me,

you emboldened me in my soul with strength.

All the kings of the earth

will praise you, O Yahweh,

when they have heard the words of your mouth,

and they will sing of the ways of Yahweh,

because Yahweh’s glory is great.

KJV 1900King James Version

A Psalm of David.

I will praise thee with my whole heart:

Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

I will worship toward thy holy temple,

And praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:

For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord,

When they hear the words of thy mouth.

Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord:

For great is the glory of the Lord.

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