Psalm 146 5

Psalm 146:5 kjv

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Psalm 146:5 nkjv

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Psalm 146:5 niv

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God.

Psalm 146:5 esv

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Psalm 146:5 nlt

But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the LORD their God.

Psalm 146 verses

Psalm 146 5 Meaning

True blessedness and profound well-being are experienced by the individual whose source of assistance and strength is the Lord, the covenant-keeping God of Jacob, and whose confident expectation and steadfast trust are firmly rooted in Him, who is their own personal God. This verse declares a state of deep happiness derived from relying entirely on God's faithful power rather than on transient human capacities.

Psalm 146 5 Context

h2Psalm 146 begins a collection of Hallelujah psalms, starting and ending with the call to "Praise the Lord!" (Hallelujah!). The preceding verses (3-4) explicitly warn against trusting in human leaders or any mortal, highlighting their ephemeral nature and ultimate inability to provide salvation. Verse 5 acts as the direct counterpoint, presenting God as the only trustworthy source of help and hope. The rest of the psalm (vv. 6-10) then elaborates on God's omnipotence as Creator, His righteousness, His care for the vulnerable (blind, hungry, oppressed, widows, sojourners), and His eternal reign. Historically, such psalms would have reinforced Israel's identity and reliance on Yahweh amidst the constant temptation to align with powerful nations or rulers. It underscores a covenant theology where blessedness stems from allegiance and dependence on the sovereign God, specifically invoked as the God who made promises to Jacob.

Psalm 146 5 Word analysis

h2

• Blessed (אַשְׁרֵי - 'ashre): This is an exclamation of fortunate happiness, often translated as "Oh, the happiness of..." or "Fortunate are those..." It speaks of a deep, inner contentment and true flourishing, not superficial luck, but a state of well-being that flows from a right relationship and condition. It denotes prosperity in the broadest sense, spiritual and relational.

• is he (implicit): The Hebrew 'ashre does not have an explicit pronoun, but contextually refers to "the one" or "him" who fulfills the stated condition.

• whose help (עֶזְרוֹ - 'ezro): Derived from 'ezer, meaning aid, strength, support, succor. It denotes strong, active, and effective assistance. The suffix '-o' indicates "his," making it personal – his particular helper. This help is enduring, unlike the transient help of humans.

• is the God of Jacob (אֱלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב - 'Elohei Ya'akov): This specific divine title grounds God's character and power in His historical interaction and covenant faithfulness with Jacob (Israel). It recalls God's promises, His mighty acts (e.g., deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness), and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people through all generations. It speaks to a personal, relational God who intervenes in human history, demonstrating His unwavering presence and power. It contrasts sharply with the generic or fleeting "gods" of surrounding cultures, presenting Yahweh as uniquely reliable.

• whose hope (שִׂבְרוֹ - sivro): From sabar, meaning to hope, wait, or expect. It denotes a confident, firm expectation, a trust that is built on sure grounds, rather than a mere wish. It's an active waiting with anticipation, stemming from certainty in the object of that hope. The suffix '-o' again personalizes it: his particular hope.

• is in the Lord (בַּיהוָה - b'YHVH): "Lord" is YHVH (Yahweh), the revealed personal, covenant name of God. This name emphasizes His self-existent, unchanging, and utterly faithful character. Placing hope "in" Yahweh means a complete and unwavering reliance on His character and promises. It signifies a secure and ultimate trust.

• his God (אֱלֹהָיו - 'Elohav): This is a personal possessive: "his God." It reinforces the intimate, personal relationship between the believer and Yahweh. It highlights that the great, universal Creator God is intimately involved in the individual's life and destiny. It transforms general knowledge of God into a living, personal relationship.

• "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob": This phrase asserts that true human blessedness (deep well-being, joy, contentment) does not come from self-sufficiency, human alliances, or material wealth, but exclusively from having the Creator and Covenant-Keeper as one's ultimate and effective source of help and aid. It’s a polemical statement against human pride and false security.

• "whose hope is in the Lord his God": This completes the picture of full dependence and trust. It defines the specific attitude of faith – confident expectation and firm reliance – that accompanies seeking God’s help. The doubling of divine titles, "the God of Jacob" and "the Lord his God," amplifies the scope of God’s character—from His covenant faithfulness in history to His personal relationship with the individual. This is a deliberate rhetorical emphasis on God's sufficiency.

Psalm 146 5 Bonus section

h2The twin expressions "help is the God of Jacob" and "hope is in the Lord his God" are synonymous parallels, strongly emphasizing total dependence on God. They highlight two complementary facets of faith: actively seeking divine aid and patiently, confidently awaiting God's fulfillment of His promises. This reliance frees one from the anxieties associated with trusting in human beings, who are fallible, mortal, and limited in power (as described in Psalm 146:3-4). The phrase "God of Jacob" serves as a significant theological bridge, connecting the individual's present trust to the historical redemptive acts and covenant promises made to the patriarchs, solidifying the eternal nature of God's character and intentions for His people. This perspective cultivates an inner fortitude, knowing that the ultimate reality rests with the Almighty, providing stability regardless of outward circumstances.

Psalm 146 5 Commentary

h2Psalm 146:5 serves as the thematic core and counter-argument to the preceding verses that caution against human reliance. It articulates that the path to true blessedness lies in abandoning trust in fleeting human power and placing ultimate dependence and confident hope solely on the immutable, covenant-keeping God. By identifying Him as "the God of Jacob," the psalmist appeals to a foundational understanding of God's faithfulness and power demonstrated throughout Israel's history. This God is not distant but is presented personally as "his God," emphasizing a direct, relational faith. This hope is not a passive wish but an active, confident expectation based on God's character as YHWH (Lord) – the ever-present, self-existent One who always keeps His promises. This firm anchor in God yields profound inner peace and an assurance that surpasses all worldly uncertainties, empowering an individual to navigate life with secure contentment, knowing their ultimate help and hope are divinely guaranteed. For example, a person facing insurmountable challenges at work finds true rest not in their own capabilities or connections, but in praying to and trusting that "the Lord is my helper." Similarly, one struggling with profound loss finds resilient hope in the steadfast love and promises of God, even when all human comfort fades.