רוֹמָם (ro.mam)
ro.mam
extolling
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun romam signifies the act of extolling or praising, specifically focusing on the elevation of God’s greatness. Derived from a root meaning "to be high," it conveys the idea of lifting up someone’s reputation or majesty. In Scripture, this term is rare, appearing only twice in the Psalms (Psalm 7:17 and Psalm 92:1), where it describes the psalmist’s response to God’s deliverance.
Its usage highlights a vertical movement of honor. When the psalmist declares an intent to "sing praises" with this word, he is not merely offering polite thanks but actively proclaiming God’s exalted status above all circumstances. The term connects the abstract concept of praise with the concrete image of height, reinforcing the theological truth that God is supreme.
Translators often render romam as "extolling" or "praising," capturing its emphasis on magnification. Unlike terms for general thanksgiving, romam carries a weight of awe and recognition of divine power. Its scarcity in the biblical text underscores its special function: it marks moments of profound, public declaration of God’s highness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word romam paints a picture of praise that rises upward, lifting God’s name above every difficulty we face. When you use this kind of language, you are not just offering polite thanks for what has happened. You are actively declaring that God is greater than your current situation. This vertical movement of honor reminds us that our Creator stands supreme over all earthly troubles.
In Psalm 66:17, the writer says he extolled God with his tongue after crying out in distress. This shows that praise can be a powerful response to prayer, not just a reaction to success. It invites you to lift your voice in worship even when life feels heavy, trusting that God’s greatness remains unchanged by your circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ exaltation1×
- [the] praises of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רוֹמְמ֣וֹת1×
- וְ֝/רוֹמַ֗ם1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 66:17
I cried to him with my mouth. He was extolled with my tongue.
This verse connects the act of extolling directly to the psalmist's personal cry for help, showing praise as a response to answered prayer.
-
Psalms 149:6
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
Here the term describes high praises held in the mouths of God's people, linking worship with bold public declaration and strength.