Nahum 1:7 kjv
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 nkjv
The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7 niv
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7 esv
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 nlt
The LORD is good,
a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him.
Nahum 1 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 100:5 | For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever... | God's eternal goodness and lovingkindness. |
| Psa 25:8 | Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners... | God's goodness combined with His righteousness. |
| Lam 3:25 | The LORD is good to those who wait for him... | God's goodness experienced by those who patiently trust. |
| Mk 10:18 | Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." | Emphasizes God's unique and ultimate goodness. |
| Psa 9:9 | The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. | God as a reliable fortress for the afflicted, mirroring "stronghold." |
| Psa 18:2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer... | God as a source of safety and rescue, akin to a stronghold. |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God's presence as immediate help and shelter during difficulties. |
| Prov 18:10 | The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it... | God's name itself signifies powerful protection and refuge. |
| Isa 25:4 | For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress... | God's role as protector for the vulnerable. |
| Joel 3:16 | The LORD roars from Zion... The LORD will be a refuge to his people, a stronghold... | God as protector for His people from external threats. |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. | God's eternal dwelling providing secure rest and support. |
| Heb 6:18 | ...in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge... | God Himself is the ultimate refuge for those seeking secure hope. |
| Psa 20:1 | May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! | Direct prayer for God's help in specific times of distress. |
| Psa 50:15 | Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you... | God's invitation and promise to rescue during affliction. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's comforting presence in times of fear and trouble. |
| Psa 1:6 | For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | God's discerning knowledge of the righteous versus the wicked, setting destinies. |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD... | God's intimate and caring knowledge concerning His people's future. |
| Jn 10:14 | I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me... | Jesus' intimate knowledge and relationship with His followers, echoing God's "knowing." |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his..." | God's recognition of His own, providing assurance and security. |
| Psa 2:12 | Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish... Blessed are all who take refuge in him. | Blessedness and safety found in seeking refuge in God/Christ. |
| Psa 34:8 | Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! | Invitation to experience God's goodness by trusting Him. |
| Prov 3:5–6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart... | Direct command to place complete trust in the Lord. |
| Isa 26:3–4 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. | The outcome of trusting in the Lord: perfect peace and lasting strength. |
| Psa 145:9 | The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. | God's universal goodness, yet specific care for those who trust Him. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's active goodness ensuring beneficial outcomes for His beloved. |
Nahum 1 verses
Nahum 1 7 Meaning
Nahum 1:7 proclaims the character of the LORD (Yahweh) as inherently good and eternally trustworthy. He provides secure refuge and steadfast protection, particularly in times of distress and hardship. This goodness is not merely a passive quality, but active and discerning; He intimately knows and cares for those who genuinely seek their safety and hope in Him, setting them apart from those He will judge.
Nahum 1 7 Context
Nahum is a prophetic book primarily focused on the coming judgment of Nineveh, the powerful capital of Assyria, known for its brutality and oppression. Chapters 1:2-8 emphasize the LORD's terrifying wrath against His enemies, detailing His immense power and slow anger but inevitable vengeance. This particular verse (Nahum 1:7) serves as a profound contrast and a pivotal point within this exposition of divine justice. While the preceding verses paint a picture of God as a zealous and avenging God who utterly destroys His foes, verse 7 reveals His character of goodness and protection towards those who are His. For Judah, suffering under the very Assyrian empire Nahum prophesies against, this verse offers immense comfort and assurance. It provides hope amidst widespread fear and persecution, implicitly contrasting the false security in human might or idols with the true and lasting security found in Yahweh alone. It assures the oppressed that their God, the same God who will crush their oppressors, is their faithful guardian.
Nahum 1 7 Word analysis
- The LORD: Original Hebrew: יְהוָה (Yahweh). This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature. It signifies His absolute sovereignty and His faithfulness to His promises, particularly to His people. It distinguishes Him from the fickle, powerless deities of surrounding nations, emphasizing His unique divine authority and relational bond.
- is good: Original Hebrew: טוֹב (ṭōv). This term implies far more than simple niceness; it encompasses moral excellence, inherent kindness, beneficial nature, and rightness. God's goodness is an active attribute, meaning He desires and brings about what is beneficial and righteous for His creation, particularly those in covenant with Him. It's an enduring, unchanging quality of His being.
- a stronghold: Original Hebrew: מָעוֹז (māʿōz). This noun denotes a place of safety, a refuge, a fortified place, or a defense. It pictures God as an unassailable fortress, an impenetrable haven where His people can find ultimate security from all threats. In the context of impending judgment on Nineveh and Judah's distress, this imagery offers immense comfort—God Himself is the ultimate protection.
- in the day of trouble: Original Hebrew: יוֹם צָרָה (yōm tsārāh). This phrase refers to a period or experience of intense distress, affliction, calamity, or narrow circumstances. It highlights a time of crisis or suffering when human resources are exhausted. God is not just good in serene times but specifically when difficulty and danger are most pressing.
- He knows: Original Hebrew: יָדַע (yādaʿ). This verb means more than mere intellectual awareness. In biblical context, 'knowing' often implies an intimate, relational, experiential, and even covenantal understanding and acknowledgement. It suggests that God has a deep, personal connection with and a protective care for these individuals. He recognizes them as His own, actively concerns Himself with their welfare, and discerns their heart and intentions.
- those who trust in Him: Original Hebrew: חֹסֵי בוֹ (ḥōsē bō). This participial phrase literally means "those who seek refuge in Him" or "those who take shelter in Him." It conveys an act of complete dependence, running to God for protection, security, and hope. It denotes putting one's entire reliance upon Him, not just intellectually believing in Him but actively turning to Him as their only source of safety and hope. It is a posture of faith, surrender, and reliance.
Nahum 1 7 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates a crucial theological principle often observed in prophetic literature: God's attributes of judgment and salvation are not contradictory but complementary. His righteous wrath against evil (as seen against Nineveh in Nahum 1:2-6, 8) arises from His goodness and holy nature, which cannot tolerate wickedness. Concurrently, His goodness is expressed through His merciful protection of His people. The "knowledge" (yādaʿ) spoken of here implies an exclusive, covenantal relationship. This echoes the concept in Amos 3:2, where God says, "You only have I known among all the families of the earth," referring to Israel. Therefore, the "knowing" in Nahum 1:7 is a profound affirmation of God's covenant loyalty and intimate fellowship with His trusting followers. The ultimate expression of God's goodness and strength for those who trust Him is found in Christ Jesus, who provides refuge and salvation from the ultimate trouble—sin and eternal death. He is the strong tower in whom believers find complete security.
Nahum 1 7 Commentary
Nahum 1:7 stands as a powerful declaration of God's dual character: fiercely just to His enemies and tenderly protective of His own. Against the backdrop of Nineveh's impending doom, this verse provides an anchor of hope and assurance for God's faithful. His inherent goodness (טוֹב) means His nature is always oriented toward benevolence and righteousness. This goodness is expressed concretely by His being a "stronghold" (מָעוֹז), an unshakeable fortress where the righteous can flee for safety. This protection is not situational but specifically present and potent "in the day of trouble" (יוֹם צָרָה)—the very times when humanity is most vulnerable. Crucially, God's protection is selective, extending to "those who trust in Him." This is clarified by His intimate "knowledge" (יָדַע) of them. This knowledge isn't passive observation but an active, discerning, and covenantal recognition that translates into attentive care and steadfast protection. It distinguishes those who are truly His from the perishing wicked. The verse thus offers comfort to the oppressed, promising divine solace and security for all who humbly and wholly lean on God.Examples: In personal loss, this verse reminds believers that God is their stronghold; in facing grave injustice, it assures them He knows their plight; in societal upheaval, it calls them to find refuge solely in Him.