James 5 13

James 5:13 kjv

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

James 5:13 nkjv

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

James 5:13 niv

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

James 5:13 esv

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

James 5:13 nlt

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.

James 5 verses

James 5 13 Meaning

James 5:13 provides two direct and practical exhortations regarding appropriate spiritual responses to contrasting life circumstances. It instructs those who are experiencing hardship or suffering to turn to God in prayer. Conversely, it directs those who are cheerful and joyful to express their gladness by singing psalms, which are spiritual songs of praise to God. The verse underscores that all aspects of a believer's life—distress and delight—should be directed towards communion with God, whether through supplication or adoration.

James 5 13 Context

James chapter 5, and particularly verses 13-18, is dedicated to practical Christian living within the community, with a strong focus on the efficacy and practice of prayer. Following exhortations regarding the rich and oppressed (vv. 1-6) and the need for patience during the Lord's imminent return (vv. 7-12), James shifts to individual and communal spiritual disciplines. Verse 13 sets the stage for the specific instruction about anointing the sick in prayer (vv. 14-15), emphasizing the role of spiritual activity in every season of life. Historically, James is writing to dispersed Jewish Christians, implying a community familiar with both Old Testament practices (like psalm singing) and the developing New Testament understanding of prayer within the Spirit. The overall context of James is practical wisdom, showing how genuine faith expresses itself through action, and here, through specific spiritual disciplines.

James 5 13 Word analysis

• Is anyone: Indicates a general applicability to any believer, addressing individual circumstances within the community.
• among you: Highlights the communal context of James's letter; these are instructions for life within the church body.
• suffering?: From Greek kakopatheō (κακοπαθέω), meaning to suffer evil, hardship, affliction, or trouble. This is a broad term, encompassing various forms of distress—physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or relational. It doesn't necessarily refer to illness but to any adversity or difficult experience. The question structure implies a common experience.
• Let him pray: From Greek proseuchomai (προσεύχομαι), referring to specific prayer directed to God. This is the prescribed, immediate, and proper response to hardship for a believer. It indicates turning to a divine source for help, strength, or comfort, rather than despair or human solutions alone.
• Is anyone cheerful?: From Greek euthymeō (εὐθυμέω), meaning to be of good cheer, joyful, merry, happy, or well-disposed. This describes a state of contentment, gladness, or positive emotion, indicating prosperity or blessings in some form.
• Let him sing psalms: From Greek psallō (ψάλλω), which originally meant to pluck a stringed instrument, then came to mean to sing spiritual songs, praises, or hymns. The term "psalms" (often linked to the Old Testament book) signifies inspired songs of praise, lament, and instruction. This indicates that joy should lead to expressions of worship and thanksgiving to God, recognizing Him as the source of blessings and cheerfulness.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.": This phrase establishes prayer as the first and primary recourse for a believer in any form of distress. It positions prayer not as a last resort, but as the natural and direct means of engagement with God in times of hardship. It counteracts tendencies towards despondency or self-reliance.
  • "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.": This phrase provides a balance, ensuring that God is honored not only in sorrow but also in joy. It teaches that prosperity and cheerfulness should not lead to forgetting God, but rather to acknowledging His goodness through worship and praise. It elevates joyful expression from mere worldly entertainment to an act of spiritual worship.
  • Dual Exhortation: The two parallel questions and commands demonstrate a comprehensive approach to life's circumstances. Both suffering and cheerfulness are spiritual opportunities to draw near to God, solidifying His centrality in all aspects of life.

James 5 13 Bonus section

This verse reflects James's strong emphasis on practical outworking of faith, demonstrating that belief isn't passive but active. The instructions here serve as vital disciplines for spiritual well-being within the Christian community. The parallel structure suggests that both states (suffering and cheerfulness) are spiritual opportunities to interact with God in a fitting manner. Furthermore, the use of "psalms" points back to the rich tradition of Jewish spiritual expression, indicating continuity in worship and personal devotion. The power of singing psalms for spiritual health is evident throughout biblical history, calming hearts, solidifying truth, and expressing both deepest laments and highest praises. The verse also implicitly challenges believers to a continuous posture of spiritual alertness and responsiveness to God's presence in all of life's seasons, avoiding spiritual stagnation.

James 5 13 Commentary

James 5:13 offers concise yet profound practical instruction for Christian living, reflecting a mature spiritual understanding. It calls for distinct and deliberate responses to the diverse realities of life. When suffering, believers are not to succumb to despair or turn inward, but rather to actively engage in prayer, seeking God's intervention, comfort, and wisdom. This is an immediate and foundational spiritual discipline, acknowledging dependence on God's sovereignty and grace during affliction. Conversely, when experiencing joy and good cheer, the believer is guided to express that gladness through the spiritual act of singing psalms or spiritual songs. This ensures that prosperity and happiness lead to God-honoring worship and gratitude, rather than self-indulgence or spiritual complacency. The verse thus champions a life of continuous, intentional engagement with God, where every circumstance, whether sorrowful or joyful, becomes an impetus for communion—prayer in adversity, and praise in blessing—cultivating a profound, God-centered existence.