Psalm 35 27

Psalm 35:27 kjv

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Psalm 35:27 nkjv

Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

Psalm 35:27 niv

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."

Psalm 35:27 esv

Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, "Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!"

Psalm 35:27 nlt

But give great joy to those who came to my defense.
Let them continually say, "Great is the LORD,
who delights in blessing his servant with peace!"

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 27 Meaning

Psalm 35:27 is a prayerful declaration seeking public rejoicing and continual praise for the Lord among those who uphold the cause of righteousness, particularly the unjustly persecuted David. It articulates the deep theological truth that God, in His sovereign nature, actively delights in the comprehensive welfare and holistic flourishing of His faithful servants, thus encouraging a perpetual proclamation of His magnificent power and goodness in providing vindication and well-being.

Psalm 35 27 Context

Psalm 35 is an impassioned lament and prayer by David, seeking divine intervention against his enemies who falsely accuse and persecute him despite his innocence and good intentions towards them. The Psalm is filled with strong pleas for God to execute judgment and vindication on David's behalf. This verse, Psalm 35:27, marks a pivotal shift from pleas for destruction upon his enemies (seen vividly in verse 26) to an anticipation of the celebration and praise of God when His justice prevails. Historically, this context points to David's various periods of severe persecution, perhaps under Saul's relentless pursuit or during Absalom's rebellion, where his life was constantly threatened by those who slandered him without cause. The concept of "my righteous cause" points not to self-righteousness, but to the injustice of the attacks against him and his trust in God's divine arbitration. For the ancient audience, the public vindication of an unjustly accused individual, particularly a king chosen by God, was a profound demonstration of God's righteousness and active governance.

Psalm 35 27 Word analysis

• "Let them shout for joy": From Hebrew yarōnnū (יָרֹ֣נּוּ), rooted in ranan (רָנַן). This implies an exuberant, ringing, often public shout of triumph and celebration, indicative of deep delight and exhilaration, usually in response to a great deliverance or victory by God. It signifies an open and vocal expression of elation.

• "and be glad": From Hebrew vəyiśməḥū (וְיִשְׂמְחוּ֙), rooted in samach (שׂמח). This denotes a general state of cheerfulness, inner joy, or happiness, complementing the more outward expression of "shouting for joy." Together, they indicate complete, unbridled rejoicing.

• "who favor my righteous cause": From Hebrew tzedeq lî (צֶ֖דֶק לִי).

  • "favor": Lit. "those delighting in," ḥāphēṣ (חָפֵץ), here meaning to find pleasure in or strongly desire something. It indicates strong approval and support.
  • "my righteous cause": Lit. "righteousness to me" or "my justice." Tzedeq (צֶדֶק) refers to David's innocence in the face of false accusations, the rightness of his position, and God's just upholding of him. It's not self-righteousness but a plea for vindication where true justice lies with him. It implies that supporting David is aligned with God's own justice.

• "And let them say continually": From Hebrew vəyōmrū tāmid (וְיֹֽאמְר֣וּ תָמִ֗יד).

  • "say": From amar (אָמַר), indicating a deliberate, vocal declaration.
  • "continually": From tāmîd (תָּמִיד). This denotes constancy, always, perpetually, or regularly. It transforms a one-time joyous outcry into an enduring lifestyle of worship and testimony. In temple practice, it referred to the perpetual offerings, symbolizing ongoing devotion.

• "Let the Lord be magnified": From Hebrew yigdal Yahweh (יִגְדַּ֣ל יְהוָ֑ה).

  • "magnified": From gadal (גדל), meaning to grow great, to become strong, or to make great. This signifies declaring God's greatness, exalting Him, and making His preeminence evident through praise and through His actions. It is an acknowledgment and proclamation of His supremacy.
  • "the Lord": Refers to Yahweh (יהוה), God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal relationship with His people, His faithfulness, and His self-existent power.

• "Who delights in the prosperity of His servant": From Hebrew hechāphētz shlom ‘avdo (הֶחָפֵ֗ץ שְׁל֣וֹם עַבְדּֽוֹ).

  • "delights": From ḥāphēṣ (חָפֵץ), similar to "favor" earlier, denoting strong pleasure, desire, or inclination towards something. God isn't passive but actively desires this outcome.
  • "prosperity": From shalom (שָׁלוֹם). This is a rich, holistic Hebrew concept encompassing not merely material wealth, but peace, welfare, completeness, soundness, security, health, flourishing, and all-encompassing well-being—physical, spiritual, social, and emotional. It speaks to God’s desire for the holistic flourishing of His people.
  • "His servant": From Hebrew ‘avdo (עַבְדּֽוֹ), referring to David in humble submission and dependence on God. It encompasses the identity of one devoted to and dependent on God, signifying trust and obedience. By extension, it refers to any faithful follower of God.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Let them shout for joy and be glad": This pairing emphasizes profound and visible rejoicing. It signifies that divine deliverance and vindication are causes for overflowing, demonstrative gladness. It's a prayer for public celebration stemming from God's intervention.
  • "who favor my righteous cause": This phrase identifies a specific group: those who align themselves with divine justice and truth, especially when that truth is persecuted. Their support for the righteous aligns them with God's own nature.
  • "And let them say continually, 'Let the Lord be magnified'": This moves beyond an immediate reaction to a perpetual act of worship. The deliverance of David becomes a perpetual testimony to God's greatness, fostering an ongoing lifestyle of praising and exalting God.
  • "Who delights in the prosperity of His servant": This clause provides the foundational reason for the praise. God is not distant or indifferent; He takes active pleasure in the holistic well-being (shalom) of His faithful followers. This deep, divine delight underpins the hope for vindication and flourishing.

Psalm 35 27 Bonus section

• The structure of Psalm 35, moving from detailed petition (35:1-26) to specific vows of praise (35:27-28), illustrates a common pattern in laments where trust in God's eventual deliverance leads to anticipated worship.
• This verse provides comfort for any believer facing unjust opposition, assuring them that God takes personal delight in their shalom and will ensure justice.
• The call for continual praise ensures that the vindication of God’s servant redounds entirely to God's glory, reinforcing that every blessing and deliverance is solely from Him. It also highlights the corporate nature of worship: those who rejoice together also declare God’s greatness together.

Psalm 35 27 Commentary

Psalm 35:27 offers a beautiful glimpse into the heart of David and the character of God. Following earnest imprecations against his enemies, David pivots to envision the future state of affairs when God acts on his behalf. The verse highlights two core aspirations: the joyous celebration of those who stand for justice, and the perpetual magnification of God. The "shout for joy" and "be glad" are not fleeting emotions but a deep, celebratory response to divine intervention. These are the hearts that truly "favor my righteous cause"—not merely observing, but actively supporting truth and justice even in times of persecution. Their declaration is not about David, but continually "Let the Lord be magnified." This transforms a personal deliverance into universal testimony of God’s glory. The very reason given for God's magnification—that He "delights in the prosperity of His servant"—is profoundly encouraging. Shalom, "prosperity," here means complete well-being, spiritual and physical flourishing. It is God's active desire, not just a passive allowance, for His devoted children to experience wholeness and blessing. This truth reassures the suffering righteous that their ultimate good and thriving are cherished by God, serving as a beacon of hope for all believers enduring hardship and seeking divine justice. The example shows how suffering endured with trust can culminate in God's vindication and an outburst of eternal praise.