Psalm 108 6

Psalm 108:6 kjv

That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

Psalm 108:6 nkjv

That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.

Psalm 108:6 niv

Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Psalm 108:6 esv

That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer me!

Psalm 108:6 nlt

Now rescue your beloved people.
Answer and save us by your power.

Psalm 108 verses

Psalm 108 6 Meaning

Psalm 108:6 is a fervent prayer appealing to God for the deliverance of His chosen people. It expresses an urgent plea that God, motivated by His loving covenant with "His beloved ones," would intervene with His immense power, symbolized by "Your right hand," to save them and provide a definitive answer to their distress. This verse encapsulates a profound trust in God's capacity and willingness to deliver those who belong to Him.

Psalm 108 6 Context

Psalm 108 is a composite psalm, skillfully compiled from two earlier psalms attributed to David: the first five verses (Psalm 108:1-5) are taken from Psalm 57:7-11, and the latter eight verses (Psalm 108:6-13) are from Psalm 60:5-12. This particular verse, Psalm 108:6, is identical to Psalm 60:5.

The context of Psalm 60 is a lament arising from a significant national military setback, likely against Edom (as mentioned in Psa 60:9), or at least a period of national distress and defeat, where Israel feels God's disfavor or temporary abandonment. The psalm begins with an acknowledgment of God's rejection and judgment (Psa 60:1-3) and then transitions to a prayer for restoration and victory (Psa 60:4-12). Thus, Psalm 108:6 stands as an urgent cry within a national plea for God to act, trusting in His ultimate sovereignty and faithfulness despite the present despair. The prayer seeks not merely personal rescue but deliverance for "your beloved ones," emphasizing the covenant relationship God has with His people.

Psalm 108 6 Word analysis

• That (לְמַעַן, lema'an): This conjunction signifies purpose or result, translating to "in order that," "so that," or "for the sake of." It introduces the desired outcome of the prayer, indicating that the petitioners believe God’s intervention will lead directly to their deliverance. It implies the prayer is not just a request but a clear statement of intent for why God should act.
• your beloved ones (יְדִידֶיךָ, yədidheykā): From the Hebrew root יָדִיד (yadid), meaning "beloved," "dear friend," or "chosen." This term carries a sense of endearment and special relationship, indicating those whom God has chosen, deeply cherishes, and has entered into a covenant with. It refers primarily to the nation of Israel as God's special people, for whom He has a deep, affectionate, and protective love. The psalmist appeals to God's own heart and commitment to His chosen ones, grounding the plea in God's faithful character.
• may be delivered (יֵחָלְצוּן, yēḥāleṣūn): This is a Hiph'il imperfect verb from the root חלץ (ḥālaṣ), meaning "to draw out," "to be armed," "to be rescued," or "to be freed." In this context, it refers to being set free from a dire or constrained situation, implying liberation, escape, or being pulled to safety. The passive construction emphasizes that deliverance is entirely a result of divine action, not human effort.
• save (הוֹשִׁיעָה, hošhī'â): This is an imperative verb from the fundamental Hebrew root יָשַׁע (yasha), which means "to save," "to deliver," "to rescue," "to bring victory," or "to make spacious." It is the root from which the name "Jesus" (Yeshua) derives. Here, it is a direct and urgent command to God, demonstrating absolute reliance on His power to effect rescue from current distress. It implies comprehensive salvation, not just from physical danger but from all forms of oppression or adversity.
• by your right hand (יְמִינְךָ, yəminəkā): This is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human physical characteristic (a "hand") to God to describe His active power. The "right hand" in biblical and ancient Near Eastern culture was consistently associated with strength, authority, skill, favor, and decisive action, particularly in battle and bestowing blessings. Therefore, "by Your right hand" signifies God's own supreme, invincible, and personal intervention, assuring victory and triumph over all adversaries.
• and answer us (וַעֲנֵנוּ, wa‘anēnu): This is an imperative from the root עָנָה ('ānâ), meaning "to answer," "to respond," "to give attention," or "to comply." It is more than just hearing a request; it implies an effective and helpful response that addresses the core of the need. It's a plea for God to not merely acknowledge their prayer but to intervene decisively and positively on their behalf, bringing the desired salvation. The "us" implies a corporate plea for the entire community of God's beloved.

• "That your beloved ones may be delivered": This phrase highlights the profound motivation for the prayer: God's enduring love for His covenant people. It is an appeal based not on the worthiness of the petitioners but on the faithfulness and affection of God towards those He has chosen. Their deliverance is essential to vindicate God's character and maintain His honor as the protector of His own. It implicitly asks God to act for His name's sake and for the sake of His unique relationship with Israel.
• "save by your right hand and answer us!": This collective plea demonstrates profound dependence and absolute trust in God alone for rescue. The imperative "save" shows urgency, while "by Your right hand" emphasizes God's sovereign and irresistible power as the sole means of deliverance, dismissing any reliance on human strength or ingenuity. The call to "answer us" extends the plea beyond mere hearing to effective, transformative intervention, underscoring the vital connection between God's hearing of prayer and His powerful action in the world. This coupling of command for action and petition for response perfectly encapsulates faith in God as the all-sufficient deliverer.

Psalm 108 6 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 108 as a composite work highlights how deeply intertwined the themes of trust, lament, and petition were in Israelite worship and prayer. By drawing from Psalm 57 (personal distress turning to praise) and Psalm 60 (national distress seeking restoration), Psalm 108 reinforces that God's unwavering faithfulness extends to both individual suffering and corporate struggle. The use of "your beloved ones" (yədidheykā) for Israel evokes a reciprocal loyalty, implying that because they are God's treasured possession, He has an obligation born of love and covenant to deliver them. This term emphasizes that God's relationship with His people is personal and deeply caring, much like a bond with a cherished friend or family member, strengthening the basis of their petition. This echoes the concept of hesed, God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, the imperative structure of the verbs "save!" and "answer us!" conveys not a hesitant request but a bold, faith-filled command rooted in a conviction of God's attributes. This reflects a matured understanding of prayer where the supplicant, aware of God's character and promises, presses in with confident expectation.

Psalm 108 6 Commentary

Psalm 108:6 serves as a heartfelt prayer for divine intervention rooted in an intimate understanding of God's character and relationship with His people. The petitioners, representing the collective "beloved ones" of God—Israel—appeal directly to His covenantal love and mighty power. The plea "that your beloved ones may be delivered" underscores God's deep affection for those He has chosen, suggesting that their plight touches His very heart. It is a humble recognition that their salvation hinges entirely upon God's will and capacity, not their own strength.

The call to "save by your right hand" invokes a powerful biblical anthropomorphism that represents God's omnipotent, active, and victorious power. It points to a decisive, unchallengeable act of God, akin to His great works of salvation in the past, such as the deliverance from Egypt or the victories He granted in conquest. This isn't just a plea for help, but an assertion of faith that God is uniquely capable of cutting through impossible circumstances. Coupled with "and answer us," the prayer expresses a profound conviction that God is not only powerful enough to deliver but also attentive and responsive to the cries of His people. This verse captures the essence of desperate faith that turns directly to the Lord, trusting in His unwavering love and unconquerable might to provide the deliverance His "beloved ones" desperately need.