Psalm 12 5

Psalm 12:5 kjv

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Psalm 12:5 nkjv

"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns."

Psalm 12:5 niv

"Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

Psalm 12:5 esv

"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."

Psalm 12:5 nlt

The LORD replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless,
and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them,
as they have longed for me to do."

Psalm 12 verses

Psalm 12 5 Meaning

Psalm 12:5 is a direct declaration of the Lord's immediate and decisive intervention in response to the profound suffering and desperate cries of the poor and needy. It conveys God's personal resolve to arise from His perceived silence and inaction, ensuring their salvation and protecting them from the scornful and destructive intentions of their oppressors. This verse serves as a divine pivot point in the psalm, transitioning from the lamentable state of societal wickedness to God's sovereign and unwavering promise of justice and deliverance.

Psalm 12 5 Context

Psalm 12 is a communal lament set against a backdrop of moral decay and widespread deceit. The psalmist bewails the disappearance of godly and faithful people, leaving behind a society filled with liars, flatterers, and arrogant speakers who believe their words give them power. The immediate literary context for verse 5 is the psalmist's urgent prayer (vv. 1-4) asking God to cut off such false lips and proud tongues. Verse 5 presents God's direct, unequivocal answer to this plea, marking a dramatic shift from human lament to divine decree.

Historically and culturally, the psalm reflects a period where social justice was often precarious. The "poor" and "needy" in ancient Near Eastern societies were highly vulnerable to exploitation by the powerful and unscrupulous. The prevailing belief among oppressors might have been that their wealth and influence put them beyond divine retribution, or that God was indifferent to human suffering. This verse directly challenges such erroneous beliefs by asserting God's attentiveness, immediacy, and commitment to justice, functioning as a polemic against the arrogance and presumed impunity of the wicked.

Psalm 12 5 Word analysis

• "For the oppression" (מֵשֹׁד - meshod): This noun signifies devastation, plunder, or violent destruction. It comes from a root meaning "to act violently, to ravage." It's more than simple economic hardship; it denotes active, destructive ill-treatment. This suggests a direct, aggressive act against the poor, highlighting the malicious intent of the oppressors.

• "of the poor" (עֲנִיִּים - aniyim): This term generally refers to those who are lowly, afflicted, humble, or suffering. While often implying material poverty, it primarily indicates a state of being downtrodden, lacking social or political power, and subjected to hardship by others. It suggests humility, often tied to spiritual dependence on God.

• "for the sighing" (מֵאֶנְקַת - me'enqat): This word translates as groaning, lamentation, or anguish. It's not a soft sigh but a deep, audible expression of profound pain, distress, or crying out for relief. It reflects extreme suffering and desperation, a cry for help that pierces the heavens.

• "of the needy" (אֶבְיוֹנִים - evyonim): This term indicates a stronger sense of destitution or complete dependence. It describes those who are utterly impoverished, lacking resources, and truly destitute, often relying solely on the mercy of others or, ultimately, God. Often coupled with aniy, it intensifies the depiction of vulnerability.

• "now" (עַתָּה - 'attah): An emphatic adverb denoting immediacy. It signals a dramatic and sudden change, a decisive moment. God's intervention is not postponed but instant and direct.

• "will I arise" (אָקוּם - 'aqum): An anthropomorphism depicting God's decisive action. The verb qum means "to stand up, rise." In a divine context, it signifies God ending His perceived inaction or silence, breaking forth in judgment or salvation, asserting His power and authority to bring about a change. It's a powerful statement of divine resolve.

• "saith the Lord" (יֹאמַר יְהוָה - yomar Yahweh): This phrase authenticates the preceding declaration as a divine utterance. "Yahweh" (the LORD) is God's covenant name, signifying His unchanging, eternal, and self-existent nature, guaranteeing the truthfulness and reliability of His promise. It reinforces that this is not a human wish but a divine decree.

• "I will set him in safety" (אָשִׁית בְּיֵשַׁע לוֹ - 'ashit biyesha' lo): This literally means "I will put him into salvation" or "I will grant him salvation/deliverance." Yesha' refers to a state of being delivered, saved, or liberated. It's a comprehensive deliverance, ensuring well-being, protection, and true security. The singular "him" refers to the poor and needy collectively or represents the righteous individual suffering under oppression. It speaks to a secure and ultimate rescue provided solely by God.

• "from him that puffeth at him" (מִיָּפֵחַ לוֹ - miyyafeyaḥ lo): The Hebrew verb yapheach means "to breathe out, to puff, to blow." This phrase carries multiple layers of meaning:

  • Scoffing/Contempt: To "puff at" someone can signify derision, disdain, or blowing contemptuously, symbolizing the proud and scornful attitude of the oppressor towards the helpless. This aligns with the "proud tongue" and boastful speech in prior verses of the psalm.
  • Threat/Violence: It can also imply blowing with hostile intent, like blowing destructive breath or a flame, signifying a threat of violence or a damaging act.
  • Slander/Falsehood: Some interpretations suggest "breathing out" slander or lies against the innocent, which aligns with the deceitful speech lamented earlier in the psalm. This speaks to the oppressors using their words not just for boasting, but for destructive accusations.It encapsulates the wicked's arrogance and the detrimental nature of their actions and words against the vulnerable.

Psalm 12 5 Bonus section

The pairing of "poor" (aniy) and "needy" (evyon) throughout the Old Testament frequently refers to more than just economic status; it often signifies those who are oppressed, humble, and dependent on God, spiritually upright amidst an unrighteous world. Thus, God's promise to save the "poor and needy" here can also be understood as a pledge to preserve His faithful remnant. The "sighing" can be viewed as the essence of prayer, a form of spiritual supplication that directly moves God to act. The immediacy of "now will I arise" highlights God's sovereignty over time and human affairs, able to change circumstances instantaneously according to His will and compassion. This declaration forms a central theological statement about God's active involvement in the world, contrary to any passive deistic views, emphasizing His commitment to social justice as an intrinsic part of His holy character.

Psalm 12 5 Commentary

Psalm 12:5 presents a profound divine response to the pervasive sin and social injustice outlined in the preceding verses. The human plea for deliverance finds its immediate and powerful answer in God's solemn oath. He acknowledges the multifaceted suffering of the poor, characterized by both violent oppression (meshod) and anguished cries (enqah), confirming that their distress reaches His ear. The phrase "Now will I arise" signifies a dramatic shift from God's perceived patience to active, decisive intervention. This is not a slow unfolding but an urgent, sovereign decree delivered by Yahweh Himself, underscoring its absolute certainty and truth. God's promise is to fully deliver His afflicted ones, placing them in a state of holistic "salvation" or "safety" (yesha'), completely shielded from the contemptuous, scornful, and potentially violent words and actions of their oppressors. This verse assures the righteous that their desperate cries are not ignored but initiate God's unfailing justice and protection. It reinforces the theological truth that God is the ultimate Defender of the vulnerable, who intervenes personally and definitively when human wickedness reaches its zenith. This divine intervention stands in stark contrast to the corrupt words of humans lamented in Psalm 12, as God's words are pure and unfailing (as stated in the very next verse, Psalm 12:6).