Lexical Summary
romam: Exaltation, elevation, height
Original Word:רוֹמָם
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:rowmam
Pronunciation:roh-MAHM
Phonetic Spelling:(ro-mawm')
KJV: be extolled
NASB:high praises
Word Origin:[fromH7426 (רָמַם - To be high)]
1. exaltation, i.e. (figuratively and specifically) praise
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be extolled
Fromramam; exaltation, i.e. (figuratively and specifically) praise -- be extolled.
see HEBREWramam
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
rumDefinitionextolling, praise
NASB Translationhigh praises (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — =
song of praise (to )
Psalm 66:17, so read with van d. H., compare Thes Hup-Now Che Bae Buhl
Lex; > Ki Baer Gi verb
, ; plural constructPsalm 149:6.
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’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 inPsalm 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:
• רוֹמְמָה (romemah) – height or exaltation (Ezekiel 28:2)
• רָם (ram) – high, exalted (Isaiah 6:1)
• תְּרוּמָה (terumah) – an offering lifted up (Exodus 25:2)
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).
2. Exaltation Springs from Redemption
The psalm recalls the Exodus (“You brought us out to abundance,”Psalm 66:12), showing that salvation history fuels present praise.
3. Exaltation Integrates Prayer and Praise
Verse 17 balances petition (“I cried out”) with romam (“praise”), modeling a life where deliverance leads to doxology (comparePhilippians 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:
• “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy.” (Psalm 99:5)
• “You have exalted Your word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2)
These passages echo the primary thrust ofPsalm 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:
• “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place.” (Philippians 2:9)
• “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
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.
• Private Devotion: Following the psalmist’s pattern, couple every petition with intentional exaltation, training the heart to anticipate praise.
• Preaching and Teaching: UsePsalm 66 to show that biblical exaltation is rooted in historical redemption, culminating in Christ.
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 wərōwmam
Links
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