Psalm 132 16

Psalm 132:16 kjv

I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Psalm 132:16 nkjv

I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Psalm 132:16 niv

I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

Psalm 132:16 esv

Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.

Psalm 132:16 nlt

I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.

Psalm 132 verses

Psalm 132 16 Meaning

This verse declares God’s specific promise regarding His chosen dwelling place, Zion. It states that God Himself will equip and empower the priests serving there with complete salvation, or deliverance. As a direct result of this divine provision for the spiritual leaders, the entire body of faithful and devoted people within that community will respond with profound, exuberant, and continuous expressions of joy through singing and shouts of praise. It speaks of a holistic divine blessing that guarantees both spiritual vitality for those who minister and overwhelming delight for all who trust in God.

Psalm 132 16 Context

Psalm 132 is a "Psalm of Ascents," sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the major feasts. It intertwines two central themes: David's devotion to God and his passionate desire to find a "resting place" for the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem (vv. 1-7), and God's corresponding unwavering promise to David concerning his dynastic line and perpetual dwelling in Zion (vv. 11-18). Verse 16 falls within God's divine response to David's piety, establishing Jerusalem (Zion) as His chosen residence and assuring His comprehensive blessing upon it. This promise follows specific declarations of material blessings (v. 15), thus highlighting the spiritual dimensions of God's favor for His chosen city and people. It underscores that God's commitment to Zion involves spiritual empowerment and the ensuing joyful response of His covenant community.

Psalm 132 16 Word analysis

• כֹּהֲנֶיהָ (kohaneyha): "her priests"
  • This term refers to the Levitical priests appointed by God to officiate in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, within Zion. They served as mediators between God and the people, performing sacrifices, interceding, teaching the Torah, and maintaining the sanctity of the divine presence. The suffix "her" explicitly ties them to "Zion" (the "resting place" for God, Ps 132:14), emphasizing their service in God's chosen dwelling. Their role was foundational to the worship life of Israel.
• אַלְבִּישׁ (albeesh): "I will clothe"
  • Derived from the Hebrew verb lavash (to clothe), this word is in the Hiphil imperfect, indicating God as the direct, active agent and the continuous, causative nature of the action. "Clothing" is a rich biblical metaphor, signifying identification, endowment, empowerment, protection, honor, and preparation for service. Unlike physical garments worn by priests (Ex 28), this denotes a divine impartation of spiritual essence or power, implying God's full provision and covering.
• יֶשַׁע (yesha): "salvation"
  • A comprehensive Hebrew noun encompassing far more than merely being saved from punishment. It denotes deliverance, victory (especially military), rescue, welfare, safety, prosperity, and wholeness. Here, "clothing with salvation" implies a state of being fully covered and immersed in God's protective, delivering power. For the priests, this means not only spiritual protection and vindication in their service but also God's enablement for effective ministry that brings genuine well-being. It underscores divine favor and security.
• וַחֲסִידֶיהָ (vachasideyha): "and her faithful people"
  • Chasidim are the "loyal," "pious," "devout," or "godly ones"—those characterized by hesed, God's steadfast love and faithfulness, which they reciprocate. They represent the devout core of the covenant community, those who are truly dedicated to God and His ways. The "her" again ties them to Zion, identifying them as God's chosen community dwelling in His presence. Their joy is directly linked to God's work among the priests and in Zion.
• רַנֵּן יְרַנֵּנוּ (ranen yerannenu): "will ever sing for joy"
  • This is a powerful construction using the infinitive absolute ranen before the finite verb yerannenu (from ranan, to shout for joy, to sing aloud). This grammatical doubling emphasizes the intensity, certainty, and continuity of the action. It implies not just singing, but shouting, ringing out with exultant, sustained, and abundant joy. This joy is not forced or fleeting but an overwhelming, natural, and public expression of praise that flows from God's complete provision and blessing.

• "I will clothe her priests with salvation": This phrase highlights God's initiative and sovereignty. He personally bestows this vital covering upon His chosen servants. It means divine protection, vindication, and empowerment for their sacred duties, ensuring their efficacy and integrity in ministry through His direct provision.
• "and her faithful people will ever sing for joy": This portrays the resultant overflowing joy throughout the entire community. It emphasizes the collective response to God's blessing, which permeates all levels of society, flowing from the effective, divinely enabled ministry of the priests and the overall spiritual prosperity of Zion. The joy is intense and enduring.

Psalm 132 16 Bonus section

The promise of "clothing priests with salvation" carries a significant typological weight. The Levitical priesthood, though established by God, had inherent weaknesses and continually required atonement (Heb 7:27-28). This psalm's promise points beyond merely external, ritual purity to a deeper, more profound state of divine favor and spiritual cleansing. This finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5-7), who provides ultimate, perfect, and lasting salvation (Heb 9:11-12). Through His finished work, believers are constituted as a "holy priesthood" and "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:5, 9), spiritually "clothed" with Christ's righteousness (Gal 3:27, Rom 13:14, Phil 3:9), leading to an outpouring of continuous praise (Heb 13:15). The profound yesha (salvation) referenced here is deeply connected to the Hebrew name Yeshua (Jesus), underscoring that all ultimate salvation comes through Him.

Psalm 132 16 Commentary

Psalm 132:16 encapsulates a profound divine promise for Zion. God pledges to supernaturally "clothe" His priests with "salvation." This is not merely an external covering but an internal divine empowering, transforming their very identity and efficacy in service. Such "clothing" provides full protection, deliverance, and spiritual well-being, enabling them to fulfill their sacred duties effectively and with integrity before God. The profound consequence of this divine provision is widespread and intense jubilation among the "faithful people"—those who genuinely love and commit to God. Their joy is not a transient emotion but an effusive, sustained expression of worship, stemming directly from witnessing God’s manifest favor and power at work in His chosen place and among His servants. This verse assures us that where God's priests are truly empowered by His salvation, His people will respond with spontaneous and enduring praise. The spiritual prosperity promised here foreshadows the ultimate salvation and joy brought through Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who clothes His people—a royal priesthood—with His righteousness and spirit, leading to eternal worship.