Lexical Summary romam: Exaltation, elevation, height Original Word: רוֹמָם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be extolled From ramam; exaltation, i.e. (figuratively and specifically) praise -- be extolled. see HEBREW ramam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rum Definition extolling, praise NASB Translation high praises (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רוֺמָם noun [masculine] extolling, praise; — = song of praise (to ׳י) Psalm 66:17, so read with van d. H., compare Thes Hup-Now Che Bae BuhlLex; > Ki Baer Gi verb Po`lal, רוֺמַם; plural construct רוֺמְמוֺת אֵל Psalm 149:6. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 7318 רוֹמָם (romam) appears only once in Scripture, Psalm 66:17, where it is rendered “praise” or “exaltation.” The term portrays an elevated, celebratory utterance directed to God. Though rare in form, it gathers into itself the rich biblical motif of lifting God high with the voice, heart, and life. Literary Setting in Psalm 66 Psalm 66 is a communal hymn of thanksgiving that moves from universal summons (verses 1–4) to corporate remembrance of deliverance (verses 5–12) and finally to personal testimony (verses 13–20). Verse 17 falls within this final section: “I cried out to Him with my mouth, and His praise was on my tongue.” (Psalm 66:17) Here romam functions as the climactic expression of a worshiper whose prayer has been heard. The word’s placement underscores that true exaltation arises from answered prayer and covenant faithfulness. Semantic Nuances and Related Vocabulary Romam shares the root רוּם (“to be high, exalted”) with many familiar words: Together these terms frame exaltation as spatial (height), verbal (praise), and sacrificial (offering). Romam, therefore, is not a detached emotion but a holistic raising of voice, posture, and gift before God. Theological Significance 1. God Alone is Worthy of Exaltation Psalm 66 links romam exclusively to the LORD; no rival deity or human achievement shares this vocabulary of height (cf. Psalm 148:13). The psalm recalls the Exodus (“You brought us out to abundance,” Psalm 66:12), showing that salvation history fuels present praise. Verse 17 balances petition (“I cried out”) with romam (“praise”), modeling a life where deliverance leads to doxology (compare Philippians 4:6-7). Historical and Liturgical Implications In Second Temple worship the psalm could have accompanied thank-offerings (verses 13-15). The single occurrence of romam may hint at a specialized liturgical term reserved for moments when a worshiper personally acknowledged divine intervention. Its rarity grants it a rhetorical “height,” mirroring the elevated theme it names. Intertextual Connections Though romam itself is unique, its root saturates Scripture: These passages echo the primary thrust of Psalm 66:17—God’s exaltation must be vocal, public, and grounded in His acts. New Testament Echoes The vocabulary shifts to Greek, yet the concept remains: The Christ-centered fulfillment of exaltation invites believers to embody romam by proclaiming the risen Lord. Pastoral and Devotional Application • Corporate Worship: Encourage testimonies of answered prayer before the congregation, allowing romam to arise naturally from God’s works. Summary Romam captures the summit of worship—voice and heart lifted high because God has acted mightily. Though it appears only once, its theological weight resonates across both Testaments, calling every generation to echo the psalmist: “His praise was on my tongue.” Forms and Transliterations וְ֝רוֹמַ֗ם ורומם veroMam wə·rō·w·mam wərōwmamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 66:17 HEB: פִּֽי־ קָרָ֑אתִי וְ֝רוֹמַ֗ם תַּ֣חַת לְשׁוֹנִֽי׃ INT: my mouth cried be extolled with my tongue 1 Occurrence |
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