Psalm 146 7

Psalm 146:7 kjv

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

Psalm 146:7 nkjv

Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.

Psalm 146:7 niv

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,

Psalm 146:7 esv

who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;

Psalm 146:7 nlt

He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The LORD frees the prisoners.

Psalm 146 verses

Psalm 146 7 Meaning

Psalm 146:7 proclaims the character and active sovereignty of the LORD, YHWH, as the divine deliverer and provider. It states that God actively brings forth justice for those who are exploited and unjustly treated. He personally provides essential sustenance, giving food to those in need, and He effectively frees individuals from the bondage of imprisonment, both literally and figuratively. This verse underscores God's compassion and power in meeting fundamental human needs and addressing core societal injustices, contrasting His steadfast and reliable nature with the inability of human power to truly deliver.

Psalm 146 7 Context

Psalm 146 is one of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), beginning and ending with "Hallelujah" (Praise the LORD). It stands in sharp contrast to the previous verses (Psa 146:3-4), which explicitly warn against trusting in human princes or mortals who are ultimately fallible and temporary. In doing so, it functions as a strong polemic against the prevailing ancient Near Eastern (ANE) tendency to place ultimate trust and hope in powerful kings and rulers. Instead, this Psalm shifts the focus entirely to the LORD, extolling His eternal nature, faithfulness, and unique power as Creator. Verse 7 specifically highlights three tangible actions of God that directly counter human failures and the injustices of worldly systems, serving as concrete examples of why He alone is worthy of praise and trust. The overall message asserts God's moral perfection and sovereign activity in the world.

Psalm 146 7 Word analysis

• He executes justice (עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט, oseh mishpat):
  • עֹשֶׂה (oseh): Present participle of asah, meaning "doing," "making," "acting." It denotes ongoing, active, and decisive intervention.
  • מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat): More than just a legal verdict; it signifies righteousness, proper order, equity, right action, and setting things right. It embodies active, restorative justice that rectifies wrongs and maintains ethical standards. God isn't merely observing or judging; He is actively involved in ensuring and restoring justice in practical terms.
• for the oppressed (לָעֲשׁוּקִים, la'ashuqim):
  • עֲשׁוּקִים (ashuqim): Those who are defrauded, exploited, crushed, wronged, or victims of severe injustice. This highlights God's particular concern for the vulnerable and marginalized who suffer at the hands of powerful oppressors.
• He gives food (נֹתֵן לֶחֶם, nothen lechem):
  • נֹתֵן (nothen): Present participle of nathan, meaning "giving," "placing," "granting." Emphasizes God's direct, generous, and immediate provision.
  • לֶחֶם (lechem): Primarily "bread," but commonly refers to food or sustenance in general. It symbolizes life's most basic and essential need.
• to the hungry (לָרְעֵבִים, lare'evim):
  • רְעֵבִים (re'evim): Those experiencing physical hunger. This points to God's care for foundational, tangible needs, not just spiritual ones.
• The LORD sets free (יְהוָה מַתִּיר, YHWH mattir):
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The divine, personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His unique and unwavering character. The subject of the sentence highlights His ultimate agency.
  • מַתִּיר (mattir): Present participle of natar, meaning "to loosen," "untie," "set free." It implies removing bonds, chains, or restrictions. This is a powerful image of liberation.
• the prisoners (אֲסוּרִים, asurim):
  • אֲסוּרִים (asurim): Those bound, shackled, in prison, or held captive. This includes literal physical incarceration but can extend metaphorically to any form of oppressive confinement or bondage, whether by human injustice, sin, or circumstance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He executes justice for the oppressed": This phrase captures God's active intervention to correct wrongs suffered by those exploited by others. It's not passive judgment but active reordering for equity and rightness. It presents God as the ultimate champion of the weak against the powerful.
• "He gives food to the hungry": This demonstrates God's immediate and practical provision of fundamental needs. It underscores His benevolent and sustaining nature, contrasting with a world that often leaves many without basic sustenance. It is a direct act of divine compassion and care.
• "The LORD sets the prisoners free": This declarative statement, specifically using the covenant name YHWH, highlights God's power over human confinement and his commitment to liberation. This speaks to both literal freedom from incarceration and broader deliverance from spiritual, social, or personal forms of bondage.

Psalm 146 7 Bonus section

This verse stands as a core declaration of God's character and also serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah's mission, clearly exemplified in the New Testament (Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isa 61:1). It highlights that true godliness, both in divine action and in human imitation, is deeply rooted in tangible care for the vulnerable. The absence of this action in human leaders further underscores the uniqueness and trustworthiness of the LORD. It's not just about an abstract theological concept, but about God's direct, personal, and powerful involvement in alleviating suffering and overturning injustice in the tangible realm of human experience. This forms the bedrock for Christian ethics of social concern.

Psalm 146 7 Commentary

Psalm 146:7 paints a vivid portrait of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as one whose very nature is defined by active and concrete engagement in the world. Unlike fallible human rulers, the LORD doesn't merely declare justice or issue commands; He actively "executes justice" (doing mishpat) for those who cannot defend themselves, the oppressed. This is a foundational aspect of His character, reflecting His unwavering commitment to righteousness and equitable order. Furthermore, His benevolence is deeply practical: He directly "gives food" to those who suffer the pangs of hunger, addressing a primal human need. This speaks to His role as the ultimate Sustainer. Finally, His power extends to ultimate liberation, as He "sets the prisoners free." This demonstrates not only His capacity to break physical bonds but also hints at broader spiritual liberation from sin and various forms of oppression, as profoundly understood in the ministry of Jesus. The verse, therefore, is a concise summary of God's compassionate kingship—a kingdom characterized by active justice, tangible provision, and radical freedom for His creation.