What does praise mean in the kjv bible?

Answer 1

It is the expression of respect and gratitude to God, and is well summed up in the Psalmist words:

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Psalm 2.11)

Answer:

In the KJV Old Testament, the translators used the word "praise" for different words from the original manuscripts.

In the KJV Psalms 7:17, for example; we read: "I will praise the Lord according to His Righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High."

The KJV translators used "praise" for two different words in this one passage. The Literal Bible says:

"I will thank Yahweh by His Righteousness, and praise the name of Yahweh Most High."

The word "thank" is:

"yadah [yaw-daw'] -- ...literally, to use (i.e. hold out) the hand; physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands): KJV [translations of this word]-- cast(out), (make) confess(-ion), praise, shoot, (give) thank(-ful, -s, -sgiving)." (Strong's Definitions)

And "praise" in reference to His name in this passage, the word is:

"zamar [zaw-mar'] -- a primitive root [perhaps iden. with HSN2168 through the idea of striking with the fingers]; properly, to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument, i.e. play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music: KJV-- give praise, sing forth praises, psalms." (Strong's Definitions)

In the KJV Isaiah 38:18 it says:

"For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee...".

The Literal Bible says:

"For not Sheol can thank You, {nor} death praiseYou...".

This "praise" is:

"halal [haw-lal'] -- ...to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify: KJV-- (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give [light], be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, [sing, be worthy of] praise, rage, renowned, shine." (Strong's Definitions)

Just to share some of the meanings... they are many.