◄ Psalm 86:12 ►
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever.
Study Bible
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever
I will praise You
The Hebrew word for "praise" here is "יָדָה" (yadah), which conveys a sense of giving thanks or confessing. This act of praise is not merely a ritualistic duty but a heartfelt expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness. In the context of ancient Israel, praise was often accompanied by music and song, reflecting a communal and personal devotion to God. The psalmist's declaration to praise God underscores a commitment to worship that is both personal and profound.

O Lord my God
The use of "Lord" (Yahweh) and "my God" (Elohim) together emphasizes a personal relationship with the divine. "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. "Elohim" denotes power and might, often used to describe God's creative and governing authority. This dual reference highlights the psalmist's recognition of God's intimate involvement in his life and His overarching power over all creation.

with all my heart
The phrase "with all my heart" indicates total devotion and sincerity. In Hebrew thought, the heart (לֵב, lev) is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. To praise God with all one's heart is to engage in worship that is undivided and genuine, reflecting a life wholly surrendered to God. This wholehearted devotion is a recurring theme in the Psalms, calling believers to love and serve God with every aspect of their being.

I will glorify Your name
To "glorify" (כָּבֵד, kaved) means to honor or give weight to something. In biblical terms, God's "name" represents His character and reputation. The psalmist's commitment to glorify God's name is a pledge to live in a way that reflects God's holiness and majesty. This act of glorification is not limited to verbal praise but extends to a lifestyle that honors God in all things, demonstrating His worthiness to the world.

forever
The term "forever" (עוֹלָם, olam) signifies an unending duration. The psalmist's vow to glorify God's name forever speaks to the eternal nature of worship and the believer's hope in everlasting life with God. This eternal perspective is rooted in the understanding that God's kingdom and His faithfulness endure beyond the temporal confines of human existence. It is a reminder of the believer's ultimate destiny and the perpetual praise that will characterize the life to come.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 86, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his psalms, and his role as the second king of Israel.

2. God (Yahweh)
The central focus of David's praise in this verse, Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature.

3. Heart
In Hebrew thought, the heart ("lev") represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. David's commitment to praise God with all his heart signifies total devotion.
Teaching Points
Wholehearted Worship
True worship involves the entirety of our being. Like David, we are called to engage our hearts fully in praising God, not just with words but with sincere devotion.

Eternal Perspective
Glorifying God's name forever reminds us of the eternal nature of our relationship with Him. Our worship is not confined to this life but extends into eternity.

Consistency in Praise
David's commitment to glorify God's name forever challenges us to maintain a consistent attitude of praise, regardless of our circumstances.

Personal Relationship with God
The personal nature of David's address to "O Lord my God" highlights the importance of a personal and intimate relationship with God in our worship.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's expression of praise in Psalm 86:12 inspire you to evaluate your own worship practices?

2. In what ways can you incorporate the principle of wholehearted worship into your daily life?

3. How does the command to love God with all your heart, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37, relate to the praise described in Psalm 86:12?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your praise of God is consistent and not dependent on your circumstances?

5. How does understanding the eternal nature of glorifying God's name impact your perspective on worship and your relationship with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:5
This verse commands loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, paralleling David's commitment to wholehearted praise.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus reiterates the greatest commandment, emphasizing loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, which aligns with the devotion expressed in Psalm 86:12.

Philippians 4:4
Paul encourages believers to rejoice in the Lord always, reflecting the continuous glorification of God's name as seen in Psalm 86:12.
Sermons
A Pattern of PrayerA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 86:1-17
Assurances that God Will Hear PrayerA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 86:1-17
Man and the Great GodHomilistPsalm 86:1-17
People
David, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Age, Confess, Evermore, Forever, Forevermore, Glorify, Glory, Heart, Honour, O, Praise, Thank, Thanks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 86:12

     1194   glory, divine and human
     5015   heart, and Holy Spirit
     8440   glorifying God

Psalm 86:11-12

     5042   name of God, significance

Psalm 86:12-13

     8660   magnifying God

Library
A Sheaf of Prayer Arrows
'Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy. 2. Preserve my soul, for I am holy: O Thou my God, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee. 3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily. 4. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5. For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.'--PSALM lxxxvi. 1-5. We have here a sheaf of arrows out of a good man's quiver, shot into heaven. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

My Savior Whose Infinite Grace
"Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." -- Psalm 86:5. My Savior whose infinite grace Most kindly encompasses me, Whose goodness more brightly I trace, The more of my life that I see. -- The sins that I mournfully own, Thy meekness and mercy exalt, -- And sweet is the voice from Thy throne, That tenderly shows me a fault. Even now, while my praises arise, A sorrowful spirit is mine; A spirit Thou wilt not despise, For O! it is mourning …
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

That it is Profitable to Communicate Often
The Voice of the Disciple Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee devoutly and reverently, I desire …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
Sermon I (November 2, 1148.)[1005] 1. A certain abundant blessing, dearly beloved, has been sent by the counsel of heaven to you this day; and if it were not faithfully divided, you would suffer loss, and I, to whom of a surety this office seems to have been committed, would incur danger. I fear therefore your loss, I fear my own damnation,[1006] if perchance it be said, The young children ask bread, and no man offereth it unto them.[1007] For I know how necessary for you is the consolation which …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

The Mercy of God
The next attribute is God's goodness or mercy. Mercy is the result and effect of God's goodness. Psa 33:5. So then this is the next attribute, God's goodness or mercy. The most learned of the heathens thought they gave their god Jupiter two golden characters when they styled him good and great. Both these meet in God, goodness and greatness, majesty and mercy. God is essentially good in himself and relatively good to us. They are both put together in Psa 119:98. Thou art good, and doest good.' This …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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