Psalm 119 74

Psalm 119:74 kjv

They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

Psalm 119:74 nkjv

Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.

Psalm 119:74 niv

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:74 esv

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

Psalm 119:74 nlt

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 74 Meaning

Psalm 119:74 expresses the psalmist's hope that fellow believers, those who reverently fear God, will experience joy and encouragement when they witness his unwavering trust in God's word. His steadfast reliance on God's revelation serves as a testament to the reliability of divine promises, affirming and strengthening the faith of others in the community of the righteous. It highlights the mutual encouragement and shared joy among those who sincerely follow God's precepts.

Psalm 119 74 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, a poetic acrostic where each section of eight verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a profound meditation on the divine Law of God, which is interchangeably referred to throughout the psalm by various synonyms such as statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, judgments, and word. The psalm demonstrates an intense love and devotion to God's revelation, portraying it as the source of life, wisdom, guidance, comfort, and hope amidst affliction and opposition. The psalmist expresses his personal struggles, his reliance on God's truth, and his longing for understanding and obedience.

Verse 74 falls within the "Yod" (י) section (verses 73-80), which highlights God as the psalmist's Maker and Teacher (v. 73). Having established his reliance on God as his Creator and Instructor, the psalmist expresses a desire for God's steadfast love and comfort (vv. 76-77), and for his adversaries to be put to shame while those who fear God recognize his integrity (vv. 78-79). In this immediate context, verse 74 speaks to the communal aspect of faith: the psalmist's faithfulness, rooted in hope in God's word, is not merely personal but has a positive, encouraging impact on fellow believers, demonstrating the validity and power of God's promises in a lived experience. It reflects a longing for affirmation and shared joy within the community of faith, reinforcing solidarity among those who genuinely revere God.

Psalm 119 74 Word analysis

• Those who fear you (יראֶיךָ – yir’eyḵā):

  • ירא (yare): This Hebrew root word often translated as "fear" here denotes reverential awe, deep respect, and devoted obedience rather than terror. It signifies acknowledging God's sovereignty and authority, leading to worship and careful adherence to His commands. In biblical context, "fearing the Lord" is consistently associated with wisdom (Psa 111:10), blessings, and a life of righteousness (Psa 128:1). It refers to the true believers who have a right relationship with God.

• will be glad (יִשְׂמְחוּ – yiśməḥū):

  • שמח (samakh): To rejoice, be joyful, be glad. This is an active and outward expression of inner delight. The gladness here is a shared spiritual joy. They will not merely be content, but actively happy and uplifted by witnessing the psalmist's steadfast faith.

• when they see me:

  • This phrase emphasizes the visible aspect of the psalmist's hope and conduct. His life and steadfastness in affliction or in devotion to God's Word are perceivable. The "seeing" is not superficial observation, but rather perceiving a life lived out in consistent reliance on God's promises. It is the tangible evidence of faith working.

• because (כִּי – kî):

  • A conjunction introducing the reason or cause. It explicitly links the gladness of those who fear God to the psalmist's demonstrated hope.

• I have put my hope (יִחַלְתִּי – yiḥalttî):

  • יחל (yaḥal): To wait, hope, long, expect. This term signifies a strong, persistent, and patient expectation and trust, often enduring through difficulty. It is not a passive wish but an active reliance on a future reality guaranteed by God's faithfulness. The perfect tense indicates a settled, established hope that continues.

• in your word (לִדְבָרֶךָ – liḏəvārĕḵā):

  • דבר (dabar): Word, speech, command, promise. Refers to God's revealed will, His communicated truth, His commands, and His covenant promises. This "word" is the bedrock upon which the psalmist's hope is firmly established. It implies the totality of God's spoken and written revelation, understood as completely trustworthy and reliable.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Those who fear you will be glad when they see me": This phrase highlights the communal and exemplary nature of true faith. The psalmist recognizes that his consistent hope in God is a source of encouragement for others who also revere God. It indicates a reciprocal relationship within the faith community: personal steadfastness reinforces corporate faith, leading to shared spiritual joy. This is a witness among believers, demonstrating that God's Word is effective and reliable in real life.
  • "because I have put my hope in your word": This provides the foundational reason for the mutual joy. The psalmist's hope is explicitly tied to the divine "word." This shows that his steadfastness is not based on personal strength or fleeting emotions, but on the solid, unchanging truth of God's revelation. This demonstrated reliance makes his life an encouraging testimony to the power and trustworthiness of God's promises.

Psalm 119 74 Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the reciprocal relationship within the community of faith. While the individual’s hope in God's word is personal, its outworking often provides tangible encouragement to others. It is not an expectation of praise for self, but a desire for others to see the power of God’s word lived out. The "gladness" is spiritual joy rooted in the affirmation that God is indeed faithful to His word for those who trust Him. It speaks to the communal bond and mutual strengthening that believers offer one another simply by consistently walking in faith and reliance upon divine truth, making the spiritual journey less solitary and more shared in its triumphs and tribulations.

Psalm 119 74 Commentary

Psalm 119:74 offers a profound insight into the communal aspect of personal faith. The psalmist expresses an earnest desire that his enduring hope in God's revealed word will become a source of encouragement and joy for others who share his reverence for the Almighty. This isn't a boast for personal recognition, but rather an understanding that a life lived in manifest trust in God serves as a powerful witness within the body of believers.

When those who genuinely "fear" God (meaning they hold Him in reverential awe and obey His commands) "see" a fellow believer, like the psalmist, persevering and finding solace and direction in God's "word" even amidst adversity, it strengthens their own faith. It validates their shared convictions, reminding them that God's promises are true and reliable in practice, not just in theory. The psalmist's sustained hope acts as a tangible confirmation that leaning on God's word brings steadfastness, leading to a contagious gladness among the righteous. This verse beautifully portrays the solidarity of the faithful: individual steadfastness reinforces collective encouragement, fostering a cycle of mutual affirmation rooted in the unchanging truth of God's revelation. It underscores that our walk with God is not solely personal; it profoundly impacts and encourages our spiritual kin.