Psalm 34 22

Psalm 34:22 kjv

The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psalm 34:22 nkjv

The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.

Psalm 34:22 niv

The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34:22 esv

The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34:22 nlt

But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 34 verses

Psalm 34 22 Meaning

Psalm 34:22 declares a profound assurance of God's sovereign care and salvation for His faithful. It states that the Lord actively delivers, protects, and restores the complete being (life/soul) of those who serve Him, guaranteeing that no one who seeks shelter and trust in Him will ever be declared guilty or suffer the just consequences of sin. This verse beautifully contrasts the fate of the righteous, who find full redemption, with the condemnation promised to the wicked in the preceding verse.

Psalm 34 22 Context

Psalm 34 is a psalm of David, composed during a significant period of distress when he fled from Saul and feigned madness before Abimelech (Achish, king of Gath) as recorded in 1 Samuel 21:10-15. This personal experience of miraculous deliverance underpins the psalm's themes of God's faithfulness and protection.

The psalm is an acrostic poem (though verse 22 extends beyond the strict acrostic sequence, often serving as a powerful concluding summary), emphasizing its comprehensive scope and teachability. David, having personally experienced God's salvation from great peril (Psa 34:4-6), invites others to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psa 34:8). The preceding verses (Psa 34:15-21) highlight the contrast between the righteous, whose prayers God hears and whose troubles He delivers them from, and the wicked, whom God opposes and who face evil and condemnation. Verse 22 acts as the culminating affirmation for the righteous, contrasting sharply with the fate of the wicked stated in verse 21: "Evil slays the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned." Thus, verse 22 serves as a strong final declaration of God's unwavering protection and ultimate acquittal for those who commit themselves to Him.

Psalm 34 22 Word analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, indicating His self-existent, faithful, and personal nature. It emphasizes that this redemption comes from the ultimate, unchanging Sovereign.
• redeems (פָּדָה - padah): This Hebrew verb means "to ransom," "to deliver," "to buy back," or "to reclaim." It's a strong term indicating liberation from danger, bondage, or destruction, often implying a price paid or a powerful act of intervention. In this context, it implies not just rescue from a specific trouble, but comprehensive deliverance from guilt, sin, and all forms of spiritual and physical peril, leading to restoration.
• the life (נֶפֶשׁ - nephesh): While often translated as "soul," nephesh here refers to the entire being or self—the whole person, including their vitality, essence, inner being, and very existence. It signifies holistic salvation, encompassing one's past, present, and future, not just physical safety.
• his servants (עֲבָדָיו - avadav): Refers to those who serve Him, worship Him, or are devoted to Him. This is not about being a slave in a negative sense, but rather a willing, devoted follower and worshipper, highlighting a relationship of allegiance and obedience.
• none of those who take refuge (חָסָה - chasah) in him: This describes the posture of complete trust and dependence. Chasah means "to seek shelter," "to flee for protection," "to put one's trust in." It signifies a humble and active reliance on God alone for safety and deliverance, abandoning self-reliance or reliance on earthly means.
• will be condemned (יֶאְשָׁמוּ - ye'ashmu): The verb asham means "to be guilty," "to be held liable," "to be condemned," or "to suffer the penalty for an offense." In this context, it assures ultimate acquittal from divine judgment and any charge or consequence that would lead to spiritual or eternal ruin. It's the antithesis of condemnation or judicial punishment for sin.

Words-group Analysis:

• "The Lord redeems the life of his servants": This phrase centers on God's active, redemptive character and the beneficiaries of this action. It's a statement of divine initiative and comprehensive care for His dedicated followers, indicating their value in His sight.
• "none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned": This clause provides the ultimate assurance, directly connecting the act of taking refuge (faith/trust) with the outcome of absolution and non-condemnation. It distinguishes God's faithful from those outside His protection, emphasizing the judicial acquittal provided by God. The double negative "none... will be condemned" (lit. "will not be guilty") powerfully asserts an absolute certainty.

Psalm 34 22 Bonus Section

• The concluding nature of Psalm 34:22, being outside the formal acrostic sequence, often implies its status as a summary or a particularly emphatic theological truth that the Psalmist wished to underscore, leaving the reader with a powerful final declaration of God's mercy and justice.
• The use of padah (redeem) is significant as it sets the stage for the deeper understanding of redemption found in the New Testament through Christ's sacrifice. While initially referring to God's rescue from physical peril or legal bondage, it carries the profound implication of a costly deliverance from a state of being lost or in jeopardy, ultimately pointing to salvation from sin's power and penalty.
• The Psalm transitions from David's personal testimony of deliverance (Psa 34:4-6) to general wisdom principles (Psa 34:8-14), concluding with a stark contrast between the fate of the wicked and the secure hope of the righteous, which culminates in this verse (Psa 34:21-22). This structural progression universalizes David's experience, making the truth applicable to all who follow God.
• This verse undergirds the concept of the absolute safety and spiritual security found in Christ for the believer, emphasizing God's role as the supreme Judge who also justly justifies those who trust Him.

Psalm 34 22 Commentary

Psalm 34:22 encapsulates the essence of the divine covenant: God's unfailing commitment to His own. It presents God not merely as a rescuer from immediate physical danger, but as the comprehensive Redeemer (Hebrew: Padah), who buys back and liberates the entire "life" or being (Nephesh) of those who are devoted to Him. This extends beyond momentary crises to cover one's entire existence and ultimate destiny. The promise that "none of those who take refuge in Him" will be condemned stands as a monumental declaration of security. "Taking refuge" (chasah) denotes a posture of humble dependence and trusting faith, fleeing to God as one's ultimate shelter from all harm, especially from the devastating effects and ultimate judgment due to sin. This promise of non-condemnation foreshadows the New Testament truth of justification by faith in Christ, where believers are declared righteous and free from condemnation not by their works, but by God's grace and Christ's finished work. The verse provides profound peace and assurance, firmly grounding the believer's hope in the unwavering character of YHWH, who both actively delivers and eternally absolves His loyal people. This truth serves as a balm for the soul, reminding us that even amidst the condemnation of the wicked, God's servants have an advocate and a Redeemer who guarantees their acquittal.