Psalm 14 7

Psalm 14:7 kjv

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 14:7 nkjv

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 14:7 niv

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 14:7 esv

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 14:7 nlt

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
When the LORD restores his people,
Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Psalm 14 verses

Psalm 14 7 Meaning

Psalm 14:7 is a fervent cry for God's divine intervention and redemptive work on behalf of His people. It expresses a deep longing for "salvation," understood as deliverance, prosperity, and wholeness, to originate from Zion, the place of God's dwelling and revealed presence. This longing culminates in the anticipation of God restoring the fortunes of Israel, leading to widespread rejoicing and gladness among His covenant people. It shifts from a lament over human depravity (vv. 1-6) to a hopeful prayer for God’s promised deliverance and the eschatological restoration of Israel.

Psalm 14 7 Context

Psalm 14, mirrored by Psalm 53, begins with a stark portrayal of widespread human depravity, asserting that "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" This moral corruption leads to destructive behavior, oppression of the poor, and a complete absence of good deeds. God is depicted as looking down from heaven, confirming the universal corruption, yet also identifying His righteous ones amidst the wickedness. In stark contrast to this dismal reality, verse 7 abruptly shifts tone from lament to a desperate, hopeful plea. It embodies the righteous remnant's fervent prayer for God's intervention, a longing for a decisive act of salvation that would reverse the current state of apostasy and oppression, bringing joy and restoration to God’s covenant people. Historically, this psalm reflects periods of national distress or exile where God's people experienced oppression, leading to a profound desire for divine liberation and a return to their prosperous state.

Psalm 14 7 Word analysis

• "Oh, that": The Hebrew idiom Mi yitten (מי יתן) literally translates to "Who will give?" or "If only there were one who would give..." It expresses a strong, fervent, even desperate desire or wish, implying something longed for but not yet realized. It conveys a deep yearning for divine action.
• "salvation": Hebrew yeshu'ah (ישועה). This is a rich theological term encompassing deliverance, rescue, welfare, victory, and prosperity. It is comprehensive, covering spiritual deliverance from sin and judgment, as well as physical, national, and temporal liberation from enemies or distress. Its root implies spaciousness or safety. The name Jesus (Yeshua) is derived from this root.
• "for Israel": Refers to the collective people of God, His chosen nation. In its primary context, it refers to the historical nation of Israel. Biblically, "Israel" can also extend to include all of God's covenant people, encompassing both physical descendants of Jacob and those ingrafted into the spiritual heritage through faith in Christ (Gal 6:16).
• "would come out of Zion": Mi-Tziyon (מציון). Zion (ציון) is synonymous with Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion where the Temple stood. It represents God's dwelling place, the source of His covenant presence, law, and ultimate redemptive work. This phrase implies that true, lasting salvation must originate from God's holy abode and be orchestrated by His divine power. It underscores that deliverance is not from human effort but from God alone.
• "When the Lord restores the fortunes": The phrase "restores the fortunes" translates the Hebrew idiom shuv shevut (שוב שבות). This expression literally means "to turn the turning," "to return the captivity," or "to reverse the lot." It signifies a complete reversal of adverse circumstances, often associated with liberation from exile or bondage, restoration of prosperity, and national flourishing. This divine act is sovereign, initiated and executed by YHWH (the LORD).
• "of His people": Refers to Israel, emphasizing their special relationship as God's treasured possession (Exod 19:5). It highlights God's covenant faithfulness towards those He has chosen.
• "let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad": These are exclamations of anticipated, enthusiastic joy and gladness. "Jacob" and "Israel" are used synonymously, signifying the unified body of God's people. This rejoicing is a response to the divine act of salvation and restoration, indicating a period of profound national well-being and contentment. The parallelism emphasizes the completeness and exuberance of this future joy.

Psalm 14 7 Bonus section

The ardent prayer in Psalm 14:7 carries a strong Messianic and eschatological overtone. The yeshu'ah (salvation) that the psalmist yearns for ultimately finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, whose name itself embodies "salvation" or "the Lord saves." He is the one who delivers His people not just from earthly oppression but from sin and death, thereby truly "restoring their fortunes." The New Testament, particularly Romans 11, speaks of a future time when "all Israel will be saved," directly connecting this Old Testament yearning for national restoration to God's plan for Israel's ultimate spiritual deliverance through the Deliverer who comes "from Zion." This verse thus reminds believers across ages to yearn for and actively participate in the broader redemptive plan of God, looking forward to the complete and final reign of Christ which brings true rejoicing to His people.

Psalm 14 7 Commentary

Psalm 14:7 functions as a pivot and an anchor of hope within a psalm that otherwise paints a grim picture of human sin and foolishness. It transitions from despair to fervent petition and assured hope. The "Oh, that" encapsulates a deep, longing prayer for God's ultimate salvation to burst forth. This longed-for deliverance, yeshu'ah, is multifaceted – not merely an escape from immediate peril, but a comprehensive restoration of the nation's spiritual, physical, and communal well-being. Crucially, this salvation is expected "out of Zion," reinforcing the truth that true rescue and life emanate from God Himself, from His holy city, which represents His presence, authority, and covenant promises.

The verse is a powerful declaration that human efforts are futile; only YHWH, the sovereign Lord, can bring about such a radical change. The phrase "when the Lord restores the fortunes of His people" points to a definitive, future event where God will reverse Israel's state of decline, often understood in biblical thought as liberation from exile, oppression, or spiritual bondage. This act is entirely God’s initiative, a testament to His faithfulness despite human depravity. The anticipated outcome – the widespread rejoicing and gladness of "Jacob" and "Israel" – highlights the communal nature of this hope and the profound joy that accompanies divine restoration. It carries a strong eschatological flavor, pointing beyond temporal deliverances to the ultimate salvation and complete renewal that God has promised for His chosen people, ultimately fulfilled in the work of the Messiah.