Psalms 97:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The righteous celebrate God and give thanks for His holy character.
The Context of Psalms 97:12
The righteous celebrate God and His holy character in gratitude.
What Does Psalms 97:12 Mean?
The psalm concludes with a call to rejoice and give thanks. The righteous are invited to express joy not in their circumstances but in the God who rules them. This joy is grounded in 'remembrance of his holiness'—conscious recall of God's sacred, set-apart nature. Holiness encompasses both divine transcendence and moral perfection. Thanksgiving flows from remembering who God truly is.
This final verse circles back to the opening proclamation: God reigns, and creation—especially His people—should rejoice. The emotional response of joy is not frivolous but a fitting acknowledgment of divine reality. Giving thanks at the remembrance of holiness is the appropriate human response to the display of God's judgment, power, and protection described throughout this psalm.
Psalms 97:12 in the Original Language
qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ), 'holiness' — the quality of being set apart and sacred; implies both separation from defilement and ethical purity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 97:12
What does Psalms 97:12 mean?
The righteous celebrate God and give thanks for His holy character.
What is the context of Psalms 97:12?
The righteous celebrate God and His holy character in gratitude.