Psalm 118 14

Psalm 118:14 kjv

The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14 nkjv

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14 niv

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14 esv

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 118:14 nlt

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 14 Meaning

Psalm 118:14 is a profound declaration of faith and experience. The psalmist proclaims that the Lord, Yahweh, is the very source and substance of his strength, enabling him to face adversity. Furthermore, the Lord Himself is the cause for all his joyful praise and song, reflecting deliverance and victory. Ultimately, the verse climaxes by stating that this same God has decisively become, or proven Himself to be, his complete salvation, a state of deliverance and triumph over all opposition. It encapsulates a trust that has been vindicated by divine intervention.

Psalm 118 14 Context

(h2) ContextPsalm 118 is a Triumphal Processional Psalm, part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. This particular psalm serves as a fervent psalm of thanksgiving, likely for national deliverance, possibly a military victory, or a great escape from severe distress. The speaker, who could be a king, the nation personified, or an individual representative, recounts being surrounded and pressed by enemies (vv. 10-13) before God intervened. Verse 14 is a declarative statement of faith and gratitude, echoing the triumphant song of Moses and Israel after their deliverance at the Red Sea (Ex 15:2). The historical context reinforces reliance solely on Yahweh against the backdrop of powerful opposing nations or internal threats, and serves as a polemic against trusting in human might or worldly alliances. It sets the stage for the entrance into the gates of righteousness (v. 19) and the celebration of God's enduring lovingkindness.

Psalm 118 14 Word analysis

(h2) Word analysis(ul)

• The Lord (יָהּ - Yah, יְהוָה - Yahweh): This short form "Yah" or "Yahweh" for "the Lord" signifies the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent, faithful One. It emphasizes His personal and intimate relationship with His people and His powerful, sovereign nature. It is this specific God who is the object of the psalmist's trust and praise, distinguishing Him from any false deities or human powers.
• is (הָיָה - hayah): The Hebrew verb implies active presence and an ongoing state of being. It's not just that the Lord provides these things, but He is them in essence. This signifies an absolute and personal identification, rather than merely an external offering.
• my strength (עָזִּי - `ozzi): From oz, meaning might, power, fortress, or refuge. It denotes a vigorous power, internal fortitude, and a secure stronghold. For the psalmist, God is the source of all inner power, resilience, and capability to endure and overcome, not merely someone who gives strength.
• and my song (וְזִמְרָתִי - ve-zimrati): From zimrah, which means music, song of praise, or cause for singing. It means the very reason for joy and melody. God is not just the recipient of the song, but the one who inspires and produces the song within the heart, because He is the Giver of deliverance and joy. This evokes an overflowing celebration born of profound gratitude.
• He has become (וַיְהִי - va-yehi): A past tense verb, "He was, and He came to be." This indicates a decisive, accomplished fact. It signifies that God actively intervened and transformed the situation from distress to deliverance. It speaks of a realization or fulfillment of God's nature in the psalmist's experience.
• my salvation (לִישׁוּעָה - li-Yeshua): From yesha, meaning deliverance, help, victory, or rescue. This word (Yeshua) embodies the act of saving or being saved from danger and distress. For the psalmist, God is the embodiment of the deliverance he has received, the ultimate triumphant rescue from overwhelming odds. It is the very essence of God's delivering character revealed.

(ul)

• "The Lord is my strength and my song": This phrase establishes God as the comprehensive source of the psalmist's empowerment and worship. "Strength" speaks to inner might and protection in times of distress, while "song" speaks to the celebratory outflow of gratitude after deliverance. The linking "and" indicates an inseparable union – the strength leads to song; the source of power is also the cause for praise. This dual identity emphasizes that God both enables victory and evokes rejoicing.
• "He has become my salvation": This concludes the verse by declaring the concrete outcome. The strength provided and the song inspired are directly attributed to God's accomplished act of salvation. The "He has become" suggests a prior need and a definitive fulfillment, pointing to a past moment when God decisively intervened and fully delivered. This isn't merely a hope but a settled reality, reinforcing God's faithfulness and ability to rescue completely. The order shows a logical progression: strength empowers, leading to salvation, which then inspires song.

Psalm 118 14 Bonus section

(h2) Bonus sectionThe verse carries significant Messianic undertones through its deep connection to Isaiah 12:2 and especially through the Hebrew word for "salvation" (Yeshua), which is the very name Jesus. The Psalm itself (especially v. 22-26) is widely quoted in the New Testament in relation to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection as the "stone which the builders rejected." Thus, this declaration of Yahweh being the ultimate "salvation" points typologically to the Person of Jesus Christ as God's definitive and complete act of redemption. It moves from a personal testimony of an ancient deliverer to a universal declaration of God's redemptive work for all who trust Him through His Son, Jesus.

Psalm 118 14 Commentary

(h2) CommentaryPsalm 118:14 stands as a bedrock affirmation of absolute reliance on God. It encapsulates a testimony forged in the crucible of adversity, culminating in joyous triumph. "The Lord is my strength" points to God as the intrinsic power source for living, enduring, and overcoming, emphasizing divine empowerment over human frailty or external aid. He provides not just the means, but is the very strength itself. Consequently, "my song" flows forth from a heart transformed by His strength and presence. God is the theme, the inspiration, and the reason for exultant praise; joy is not external, but internal and rooted in Him. The verse culminates in the decisive declaration, "He has become my salvation," signaling a complete and accomplished deliverance. This is not a future hope but a realized past action, proving God’s active intervention and faithfulness. This progression—from empowering strength to victorious salvation and resulting song—forms a complete cycle of dependence, deliverance, and devotion.