so that I may recount all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion, and rejoice in Your salvation.
David asks for deliverance so that it may become an occasion for praise and testimony. The gates of death mentioned in the previous verse are here set in contrast with the gates of Zion. The first is an image of ruin and death, while the second is the place of life, worship, and the people’s joyful gathering. “The daughter of Zion” is a poetic expression by which Zion is meant—Jerusalem and the people of God who live there. David desires to return into that community and, before everyone, recount the Lord’s glorious works. This verse shows that God delivers a person not only for his personal comfort, but also so that his life may become a testimony about God’s grace. The words “I will rejoice in Your salvation” emphasize that the source of David’s joy is the deliverance accomplished by the Lord. The believer is also called to encourage others through his experience, without making himself the center of the story. A saved life should become thankful praise and a living testimony of God’s goodness.