Psalm 118 15

Psalm 118:15 kjv

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Psalm 118:15 nkjv

The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.

Psalm 118:15 niv

Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

Psalm 118:15 esv

Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,

Psalm 118:15 nlt

Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things!

Psalm 118 verses

Psalm 118 15 Meaning

The sound of jubilant exultation and deliverance reverberates within the homes and daily lives of the righteous, for the strong and sovereign hand of the Lord is powerfully performing mighty acts and securing victory. This verse proclaims that the visible outcome of God's decisive, powerful actions on behalf of His people is profound joy and the reality of their salvation, filling their private spheres.

Psalm 118 15 Context

Psalm 118 is a Hallel Psalm, sung particularly during the great Jewish festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. It serves as a psalm of thanksgiving, often celebrating national deliverance from oppression or an individual's rescue from peril. The broader context of Psalm 118 speaks of unwavering trust in the Lord amidst adversity, rejecting reliance on human power (Ps 118:8-9), and testifying to God's steadfast love (Ps 118:1-4). Verses 10-14 recount the psalmist's experience of being surrounded by enemies, leading to a declaration of God as his strength and salvation. Verse 15 follows directly from this struggle, portraying the triumph and joy that erupts once God's powerful intervention is manifest. It shifts from personal experience to the communal, emphasizing that God's work affects the entire household and community of the righteous.

Psalm 118 15 Word analysis

• The voice (ק֚וֹל, qol): This Hebrew word signifies not merely a sound, but often a distinct and emphatic sound—a shout, cry, or even a thundering voice. Here, it denotes an expressive, audible declaration, a resonant noise rather than quiet utterance.
• of rejoicing (רִנָּה, rinnah): Connotes a joyful shouting, a ringing cry of exultation, often associated with triumph or public celebration. It's a spontaneous outpouring of gladness, especially after a victory or deliverance, rather than a subdued feeling.
• and salvation (וִישׁוּעָה, wiyshū'ah): From the root יָשַׁע (yasha', to save, deliver). Yeshu'ah signifies deliverance, victory, help, or welfare. It denotes God's act of setting free, rescuing, or bringing about triumph. It's the tangible result of God's saving intervention. This is the very word from which the name Yeshua (Jesus) derives, embodying the ultimate salvation.
• is in the tents (בְּאָֽהֳלֵי, be’ohălēy): "Tents" (אָהֳלִים, ahalim) here typically refers to dwellings, homes, or settled abodes, not necessarily nomadic tents. It implies the private, domestic sphere of life. This indicates that the joy and salvation are not confined to the Temple or public gatherings, but pervade everyday life and home environments of God's people.
• of the righteous (צַדִּיקִים, tzaddiqim): Plural of tzaddiq, meaning "just," "upright," or "vindicated." These are individuals or communities who are in right standing with God, aligning their lives with His commands, and whom God acknowledges and upholds as such. They are the recipients and witnesses of His saving work.
• The right hand (יְמִ֣ין, yamîn): An anthropomorphism for God's power, authority, strength, and effective action. The right hand in ancient Near Eastern culture was associated with decisive action, capability, and supreme authority (e.g., of a king). For God, it speaks of His unmatched, unfailing, and delivering power.
• of the Lord (יְהוָ֣ה, YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His faithful, unchanging nature and His active presence among His people. It emphasizes that this mighty act is not from a general deity but from the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
• does valiantly (עֹשָׂ֖ה חָ֑יִל, ‘ōśâh ḥâyil): The verb ‘asah means "to do," "to make," "to perform." Chayil (חיל) is a rich Hebrew word that can mean strength, might, ability, wealth, army, or valor. When God ‘ōśâh ḥâyil, it signifies that He is actively and effectively performing mighty deeds, demonstrating great power, achieving triumph, and working with utmost competence and success. It describes a continuous, active display of divine strength.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The voice of rejoicing and salvation": This phrase combines the auditory expression ("voice") with the source and nature of that expression ("rejoicing and salvation"). It's a declaration and celebration of deliverance, where the very act of being saved elicits profound joy that cannot be contained. It speaks of a corporate cry of triumph over enemies and tribulations, directly attributing the joy to the reality of salvation.
• "in the tents of the righteous": This specifies the locus of the celebration. It underscores that God's salvation extends beyond the grand, public acts of national deliverance to impact the intimate, daily existence within individual families and communities. It signifies peace, security, and the pervasive presence of divine blessing within the private sphere of the faithful. Their homes are transformed into sanctuaries of praise.
• "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly": This climactic statement provides the direct reason and explanation for the joy and salvation described in the first part of the verse. It asserts that the tangible experience of deliverance and exuberant praise is not coincidental or human-generated but a direct result of God's powerful, active, and victorious intervention. The valiant acts of the Lord are the foundation for the triumph witnessed in the lives of the righteous. It contrasts sharply with reliance on human strength, affirming God's sovereignty.

Psalm 118 15 Bonus section

• This verse can be seen as both a descriptive statement of what is happening among the righteous and a prophetic anticipation of future divine acts of deliverance that will evoke such rejoicing.
• The placement of this verse within the Hallel Psalms, particularly relevant for Passover, connects it to the Exodus story—God's mighty hand delivering His people from bondage—and looks forward to ultimate salvation through the Messiah, whose work on the cross and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of God's "right hand doing valiantly."
• It serves as a counter-polemic against the false sense of security found in human armies, princes, or any power apart from God, asserting that true deliverance and security come solely from the valiant hand of the Lord. The scene described in the verse is a direct outcome of the truths proclaimed in Psalm 118:8-9 about not trusting in man.
• The "tents" highlight God's care extends to the personal, domestic sphere, reminding believers that divine protection and blessing are present in their homes and daily walk, transforming them into places of testimony and praise.

Psalm 118 15 Commentary

Psalm 118:15 is a vibrant declaration of the inseparable link between God's active power and the resultant joy of His people. The "voice of rejoicing and salvation" is a direct, audible response to God's triumph. This is not a muted or private feeling, but an exuberant, communal shout that fills the very dwellings of the righteous. It highlights that the blessings of God’s deliverance are not confined to moments of national assembly or grand worship, but permeate the everyday life and secure environments of those who faithfully follow Him.

The reason for this widespread joy and experienced salvation is emphatically stated: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly." This speaks of God's strength, authority, and effective action. It is the Lord Himself, not human might or strategizing, who actively intervenes, executes judgment against opposition, and brings about complete deliverance. The "valiant deeds" (חָ֑יִל) speak to God’s proven capability to achieve success and victory over all obstacles. The psalmist attributes all triumphs, whether personal or national, to the sovereign and active power of Yahweh. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that where God acts decisively on behalf of His people, joy and salvation are the certain outcomes, permeating every aspect of their lives and culminating in heartfelt praise.