Psalm 34 5

Psalm 34:5 kjv

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

Psalm 34:5 nkjv

They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.

Psalm 34:5 niv

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalm 34:5 esv

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:5 nlt

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Psalm 34 verses

Psalm 34 5 Meaning

Psalm 34:5 conveys a profound truth about the transformative power of a focused gaze upon the Lord. It states that those who genuinely turn their attention to Him become illuminated with a divine radiance, inner peace, and confidence, completely free from the burden of shame or disappointment. This verse teaches that God's presence brings forth an outward manifestation of His glory and an inner sense of vindication for those who trust Him.

Psalm 34 5 Context

Psalm 34 is an acrostic psalm attributed to David, a song of praise and instruction based on his personal experience of deliverance. The superscription details its occasion: David feigning madness before Abimelech (likely Achish of Gath, 1 Sam 21:10-15) to escape persecution. This specific background highlights a situation of extreme duress and fear, from which God miraculously delivered David. The psalm shifts from David's individual testimony (vv. 1-4) to an invitation for all to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (v. 8). Verse 5, therefore, is an encouraging statement drawing a general principle from David's specific experience. It assures that what happened for him – a shift from despair to divine vindication – is available to all who seek the Lord, demonstrating that God hears and responds to the humble.

Psalm 34 5 Word Analysis

• They looked to Him:

  • הִבִּיטוּ (Hibbiṭu): From the root נבט (nabat), Piel perfect. The Piel stem intensifies the action, implying not a casual glance but an active, purposeful, and sustained gaze or contemplation. It suggests an earnest looking for help, guidance, or salvation, a deliberate turning of one's full attention. This looking is often tied to expectation and dependence.
  • אֵלָיו (elayv): "to Him." This precisely indicates the direction of the intense gaze – specifically towards God (the LORD, as implied by the psalm's broader context). This is a foundational act of faith and reliance.
  • Word Group Significance: "Looking to Him" speaks of turning one's whole being and hope towards God, acknowledging Him as the sole source of aid and light, especially in times of trouble. It implies reliance, adoration, and active pursuit.

• and were radiant:

  • וְנָהָרוּ (wena haru): From the root נהר (nahar), Qal perfect. This word can mean "to flow, stream, flock," or metaphorically, "to shine, be radiant, emit light." In this context, it clearly means to become bright or radiant, reflecting the light and glory of God. This radiance is not merely an external phenomenon but stems from an internal transformation and an indwelling of divine presence. It suggests a shining with the joy, peace, and hope derived from communion with God.
  • Word Group Significance: This phrase illustrates the transformative effect of genuinely seeking God. His light flows into and through those who behold Him, making them glow with an inner and sometimes outer luminosity, symbolizing spiritual vibrancy, inner peace, and divine favor.

• their faces:

  • פְּנֵיהֶם (p'neihem): "their faces" (plural construct, referring to a single face but used idiomatically). In Hebrew culture, the face (פנים, panim) represents the whole person, their identity, demeanor, and state of being. The expression on the face conveys emotion, status, and inner reality.
  • Word Group Significance: Focusing on "their faces" emphasizes the visible manifestation of the inward spiritual state. The radiance isn't just an internal feeling but impacts how they appear, signifying public vindication, joy, and peace instead of despair or fear.

• were never covered with shame:

  • בַּל (bal): A strong negative particle, meaning "never, not at all, by no means." This particle lends an absolute and definitive quality to the negation, ensuring the permanency of freedom from shame.
  • יֶחְפָּרוּ (yechparu): From the root חפר (chafer), Qal imperfect. "To be ashamed, to be disappointed, put to confusion, to blush." In the ancient Near East, shame was a severe condition, often indicating a failure to receive divine favor, a public disgrace, or a dashed hope (especially related to unanswered prayers or unmet expectations). The imperfect tense here implies a continuing state or a certain future.
  • Word Group Significance: This phrase provides the blessed outcome and assurance. It affirms that those who look to the Lord will never face public humiliation, dashed hopes, or the profound disappointment that comes from unfulfilled trust. Their confidence in God will be entirely justified, and they will receive honor and vindication rather than disgrace.

Psalm 34 5 Bonus Section

This psalm's acrostic structure, where each verse (or pairs of verses) begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, adds to its didactic purpose. Although Psalm 34:5 somewhat deviates with the 'Hey' (H) word being a suffix instead of the start of the word, it underlines the deliberate craftsmanship to make the wisdom memorable and accessible. The verse connects David's personal testimony of desperation (feigning madness to escape a ruthless king) to a universal truth: facing human extremity often leads to a more profound turning towards God, revealing His capacity to turn despair into deliverance, and disgrace into dignity and radiance. The shared experience ("they looked," "their faces") emphasizes that this transforming power is available to the entire community of believers who would likewise humble themselves and seek the Lord.

Psalm 34 5 Commentary

Psalm 34:5 beautifully articulates a divine cause-and-effect principle: when a soul purposefully and persistently fixes its gaze upon God, a miraculous transformation occurs. The intense act of "looking to Him" implies absolute reliance and expectation from the Creator, rather than looking to self or worldly solutions. This isn't merely observing God, but seeking Him with all one's being, pouring out needs, praises, and hopes before Him. The resulting "radiance" (nahar) is a profound spiritual truth, describing an outflowing of divine light and glory upon the individual. It suggests an inner glow, a joyful serenity, and a confidence that shines outwardly, reminiscent of Moses' face after being with the Lord.

Crucially, this radiant transformation prevents the ultimate human dread of the ancient world: shame. "Never covered with shame" guarantees vindication, public honor, and answered prayers. Shame implied a spiritual or social disgrace, often resulting from a lack of divine intervention or failed expectations. This verse assures believers that their hope in the Lord is never in vain; He will always act on their behalf, establishing their reputation and confirming their faith. In essence, it declares that an intimate encounter with the living God elevates a person beyond the reach of humiliation and infuses them with divine dignity and joy. This promise inspires continuous turning to God, understanding that He Himself is the source of all honor and light.

Practical application:

• In moments of anxiety or distress, consciously turn your focus to God through prayer, scripture, and meditation on His character.
• Remember that seeking God deeply cultivates an inner peace and joy that dispels outer anxieties and feelings of inadequacy.
• Trust that God will ultimately vindicate and honor those who faithfully look to Him, preventing lasting shame or disappointment.