Psalm 125:4 kjv
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
Psalm 125:4 nkjv
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.
Psalm 125:4 niv
LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.
Psalm 125:4 esv
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!
Psalm 125:4 nlt
O LORD, do good to those who are good,
whose hearts are in tune with you.
Psalm 125 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 16:34 | Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good... | God's intrinsic goodness |
| Psa 100:5 | For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever... | God's nature of goodness and enduring love |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble... | God's goodness as protection |
| Psa 34:8 | Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! | Experiencing God's goodness |
| Matt 19:17 | ...There is only one who is good. | God's unique goodness |
| Psa 5:12 | For you bless the righteous, O LORD... | God blessing the righteous |
| Prov 11:18 | ...but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward. | Reward for righteousness |
| Isa 3:10 | Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them... | Promise of well-being for the righteous |
| Jer 17:10 | I the LORD search the heart...to give to each according to his ways... | God judging and rewarding the heart |
| Rom 2:6 | He will render to each one according to his works. | Divine recompense based on conduct |
| Heb 11:6 | ...for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | God as a rewarder of seeking faith |
| Jas 1:17 | Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above... | Source of all good things is God |
| 1 Kin 8:61 | Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD... | Importance of a whole heart for God |
| Psa 7:10 | My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. | God protecting those with upright hearts |
| Psa 32:11 | Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! | Call to rejoice for the upright in heart |
| Psa 37:37 | Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. | Future assurance for the upright |
| Prov 11:20 | Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD, but those of blameless way are his delight. | God's delight in upright ways |
| Matt 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. | Blessing for purity of heart |
| Luke 8:15 | ...as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart... | Good heart as receptive to God's Word |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. | Pure heart for genuine faith and love |
| Rom 6:17-18 | ...you have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed... | Heartfelt obedience to God's teaching |
| Psa 1:6 | For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | Distinction: God knows and honors the righteous |
| Psa 125:5 | But those who turn aside to their crooked ways... | Contrast with those not upright in heart |
| Prov 12:2 | A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns. | Goodness earns favor from God |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | ...the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” | God sees the heart |
Psalm 125 verses
Psalm 125 4 Meaning
This verse is a heartfelt prayer, petitioning the Lord to actively bestow His goodness, favor, and blessings upon those individuals who exhibit genuine moral uprightness and possess an authentic, sincere integrity within their innermost being. It is an appeal for divine blessing specifically tailored for the righteous among God's people.
Psalm 125 4 Context
Psalm 125 belongs to the collection of Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), which were likely sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. The overarching theme of Psalm 125 is the unshakable security and divine protection promised to those who trust in the Lord and remain in Him, comparing Jerusalem's mountain-surrounded stability to God's protective presence around His people. After declaring God's unwavering faithfulness (verses 1-3), verse 4 functions as a petition that refines who truly experiences this security. It acknowledges that while God surrounds His people, His active "doing good" and sustained blessing are particularly extended to those who maintain covenant faithfulness and inner integrity, thereby distinguishing them from any who might turn away (as implied in the following verse, 125:5). It roots God's protective and blessing nature in His justice and responsiveness to genuine piety.
Psalm 125 4 Word analysis
- Do good (הֵיטִיבָה - heitivah): This is the Hiphil imperative form of the verb יָטַב (yatav), meaning "to be good," "to be pleasing." In the Hiphil, it means "to do good," "to make good," or "to cause to be good." It signifies God's active, causative beneficence – a request for Him to intervene positively, bestowing prosperity, well-being, and favor. It implies a generous, purposeful action on God's part.
- O Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." Its use here emphasizes the direct appeal to God's revealed character, His faithfulness to His promises, and His intimate relationship with His people, Israel. It underscores that the request is directed to the sovereign and reliable God of the covenant.
- to those who are good (לַטּוֹבִים - latovim): This is from the adjective טוֹב (tov), meaning "good," "pleasant," "beneficial," or "morally upright." Here, it describes people who are ethically and morally sound, whose outward conduct aligns with God's commands. It implies an inherent quality of moral excellence and righteousness, reflecting a heart inclined towards God's ways.
- and to those who are upright (וְלִישָׁרִים - v'liysharim): This comes from the adjective יָשָׁר (yashar), meaning "straight," "right," "just," "honorable," or "blameless." It signifies a person who walks a straight path, free from crookedness or deceit, consistently acting with integrity and adherence to God's laws. It highlights moral rectitude and a consistent walk in righteousness.
- in their hearts (בּלִבּוֹתָם - belibbotam): From the Hebrew noun לֵב (lev), "heart," which in biblical thought represents the entire inner person—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral decision-making. "In their hearts" therefore stresses the sincerity and depth of their righteousness; it is not merely outward observance but a genuine, internal commitment to God and His ways. This purity of intention and motive is critical for true biblical goodness.
- "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good": This phrase underscores a profound theological principle: God’s goodness is specifically sought to be bestowed upon those who reflect His own moral character. It is an active invocation of divine blessing contingent upon the ethical and moral disposition of the recipients.
- "and to those who are upright in their hearts": This phrase acts as an amplification and crucial qualification. It clarifies that the goodness is not just for external conformity but for deep, internal integrity. It emphasizes that the true object of God’s blessing is not a facade of piety, but a sincere, inner commitment that motivates outwardly righteous living, reflecting genuine loyalty to God. This inner dimension differentiates the truly righteous from the outwardly compliant or hypocritical.
Psalm 125 4 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of "good" (טוֹב - tov) and "upright in their hearts" (יְשָׁרִים בּלִבּוֹתָם - yesharim belibbotam) is significant. "Tov" often refers to external pleasantness, prosperity, or ethical uprightness. "Yashar" typically means "straight" or "right" and relates to integrity. By adding "in their hearts" to "upright," the verse emphasizes that the standard of "good" God is asked to bless is not merely outward compliance or a legalistic adherence, but an inner purity of motive and intention, an authentic devotion that pervades one's innermost being. This deep alignment with God's will from the "heart" is paramount, echoing prophetic themes that God desires true righteousness and steadfast love more than sacrifice. It sets apart true adherents from nominal ones, assuring those who genuinely strive for holiness that God’s blessing is surely upon them.
Psalm 125 4 Commentary
Psalm 125:4 stands as a prayer woven into the confidence of God's protection for His people. It is a specific request for God's favor to fall upon those within the community who not only act righteously ("are good") but whose integrity stems from the very core of their being ("upright in their hearts"). This highlights a fundamental biblical truth: God's blessings and covenant protection, while offered broadly, are uniquely manifested and experienced by those whose faith is sincere and whose lives reflect His character, both internally and externally. It asserts that true security in God is intimately tied to genuine, heartfelt righteousness. It prompts reflection on our own internal purity and how it aligns with our outward walk before God. For instance, in personal struggles, the prayer encourages trusting that God will uphold those striving for righteousness, and in community, it serves as a plea for divine blessing upon authentic believers, fortifying them against wavering.