You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The repetition of "you are my God" isn't just for emphasis; it highlights the psalmist's personal, profound relationship with God, declaring Him not just as a god, but as his God, the one he will praise and exalt above all others. This intimate declaration forms the bedrock of his trust and leads directly into his commitment to extolling God's name.
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As the triumphant procession arrives at the Temple gates after a significant deliverance, this verse marks a personal and fervent response to God's faithfulness. It follows pronouncements of God's saving power and a request to enter the sanctuary, leading to a declaration of worship that echoes the entire psalm's theme of praise and God's enduring mercy.
Have you ever felt a deep, personal connection with God, like He belongs to you? This verse speaks to that intimate relationship.
The phrase "You are my God" is more than just a statement of fact; it's a declaration of personal ownership and relationship. It signifies a covenant connection, a deep intimacy where the psalmist claims God as his own. This isn't about possessing God, but about God choosing to be possessed, to enter into a relationship with His people.
A Covenant Claim
This personal claim echoes throughout Scripture, showing that God desires to be known and related to individually. It’s the heart of what it means to be in relationship with Him: He is my God, and I am His.
The Foundation of Worship
This personal ownership is the bedrock of true worship. When we can confidently say, 'You are my God,' our praise and exaltation flow from a place of deep intimacy and gratitude, not just obligation.
What's the difference between thanking God and exalting Him? This verse shows a progression in our response to His goodness.
The psalm moves from 'giving thanks' to 'extolling.' These aren't the same action; they represent a deepening of worship.
Giving Thanks: Acknowledging Goodness
'Giving thanks' is about recognizing God's blessings, His grace, and His faithfulness. It's a verbal expression of gratitude for what He has done.
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Extolling: Proclaiming His Worth
'Extolling' goes a step further. It means to lift up, to magnify, to celebrate God's inherent worth and majesty. It's not just about thanking Him for what He gives, but about declaring who He is.
This progression shows a heart that, having received God's goodness, is moved not only to thank Him but to proclaim His supreme value above all else.
Understand the original words
yadah · Hebrew Verb
A heartfelt response to God’s grace, involving the verbal confession of His mighty acts, character, and salvific interventions. It is a fundamental posture of worship for the believer.
rum · Hebrew Verb
To exalt or lift up the name and character of God, often in a public declaration of praise. It reflects a posture of deep adoration and celebration of God’s sovereignty.
While Psalm 118 can be understood as a general expression of thanksgiving, its likely use during the post-exilic Temple restoration and festivals, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles, grounds its praise in a specific, joyous national re-establishment.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
After the return from Babylonian exile, the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and dedicated. This marks a significant moment of national restoration and religious renewal for the Jewish people.
c. 444 BC— this verse
Feast of Tabernacles Celebration
The psalm is likely sung during a major celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, possibly in the year recorded in Nehemiah 8:14-18, following the completion of the Temple walls.
c. 160 BC
Maccabean Revolt Period
Some scholars suggest the psalm's themes of deliverance and triumph over enemies align with the Maccabean struggle for religious and political freedom.
This passage describes Miriam's song of praise after the Red Sea crossing, echoing the same theme of God's strength and salvation as the psalmist's exaltation.
Deuteronomy 10:21This verse highlights God's praiseworthiness for His mighty and awesome deeds, aligning with the psalmist's declaration of God as his personal God whom he will extol.
Isaiah 12:4This passage is a call to give thanks and proclaim God's deeds, echoing the psalmist's heartfelt resolution to praise and exalt his God.
1 Chronicles 16:8This verse commands giving thanks to the LORD and making His deeds known, mirroring the psalmist's personal vow of praise and exaltation to his God.
Nehemiah 9:5This prayer begins with praise to God's glorious name and acknowledges His sovereignty, similar to the psalmist's foundational declaration of 'You are my God.'
poolePsalms 118:28: "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee."
No text from Poole on this verse.
pulpitPsalms 118:28: "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee."
Verse 28. - Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. This is the acknowledgment made by each and all, and probably repeated many times, while the sacrifice is being consumed upon the altar.
The repetition of "you are my God" isn't just for emphasis; it highlights the psalmist's personal, profound relationship with God, declaring Him not just as a god, but as his God, the one he will praise and exalt above all others. This intimate declaration forms the bedrock of his trust and leads directly into his commitment to extolling God's name.
As the triumphant procession arrives at the Temple gates after a significant deliverance, this verse marks a personal and fervent response to God's faithfulness. It follows pronouncements of God's saving power and a request to enter the sanctuary, leading to a declaration of worship that echoes the entire psalm's theme of praise and God's enduring mercy.
As the triumphant procession arrives at the Temple gates after a significant deliverance, this verse marks a personal and fervent response to God's faithfulness. It follows pronouncements of God's saving power and a request to enter the sanctuary, leading to a declaration of worship that echoes the entire psalm's theme of praise and God's enduring mercy.
"You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you." — The repetition of "you are my God" isn't just for emphasis; it highlights the psalmist's personal, profound relationship with God, declaring Him not just as a god, but as his God, the one he will…
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Last reviewed October 2026