Psalm 35 9

Psalm 35:9 kjv

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psalm 35:9 nkjv

And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.

Psalm 35:9 niv

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

Psalm 35:9 esv

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation.

Psalm 35:9 nlt

Then I will rejoice in the LORD.
I will be glad because he rescues me.

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 9 Meaning

Psalm 35:9 expresses the psalmist's profound anticipation of joy and exultation, not in personal victory or the defeat of enemies, but solely in the LORD Himself and in His promised deliverance. It reflects a confident faith that God's salvation will be the ultimate source of spiritual jubilation, engaging the entire being. This declaration anticipates a future act of divine intervention that brings vindication and restoration, transforming a state of distress into one of praise.

Psalm 35 9 Context

Psalm 35 is a heartfelt prayer of David, characteristic of imprecatory psalms, where he appeals to God for justice against his malicious and unjust enemies. He describes their treachery, slander, and unprovoked hostility (vv. 1-8), seeking God's divine intervention, vengeance, and vindication. Verse 9 represents a shift in tone from urgent petition to a confident expression of anticipated praise. Even while surrounded by adversaries and affliction, David expresses unwavering faith that God will indeed deliver him. His joy is not rooted in the downfall of his enemies as an end in itself, but in the manifest reality of God's saving power and righteousness. This anticipation sets the stage for promises of thanksgiving and testimony (vv. 10, 18, 28) once deliverance is achieved. The psalm's historical context likely involves periods of intense persecution for David, perhaps from King Saul or Absalom's rebellion, where his life was genuinely threatened by those who slandered and sought to harm him without cause.

Psalm 35 9 Word analysis

• And (וְ - we): A simple conjunctive particle connecting the psalmist's future joyous response to his present plea for deliverance. It signals the expected outcome and consequence of God's action.
• my soul (נַפְשִׁי - napshi): From the Hebrew word nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ). This term denotes more than just a disembodied spirit; it refers to the entire person, including emotions, will, mind, and the very essence of being. Here, it emphasizes that the psalmist's joy is not superficial or external, but deeply rooted within his whole inner self, pervading every aspect of his consciousness.
• shall be joyful (תָּגִיל - tagil): From the verb gil (גִּיל), meaning "to rejoice, be glad, exult, triumph, shout for joy." It describes an exuberant and open expression of gladness, often involving singing or shouting. It signifies a profound, unreserved celebration.
• in the LORD (בַּיהוָה - baYHWH): The preposition 'in' (ba) indicates the source, object, and sphere of the joy. YHWH (יְהוָה) is the sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, revealed character and faithfulness to His promises. The joy is centered wholly on God Himself, His person, and His enduring covenant relationship. It is distinct from worldly joys.
• it shall rejoice (תָּשִׂישׂ - tasis): From the verb sus (שׂוּשׂ), also meaning "to rejoice, exult, be glad." It often implies an even more vivid or demonstrative form of joy than gil, characterized by enthusiastic excitement or jubilation. It suggests a leaping or overflowing gladness.
• in his salvation (בִּישׁוּעָתִי - bishu‘atō): The object of the rejoicing. Yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה) signifies deliverance, victory, welfare, help, or salvation. This refers to God's act of intervention and rescue from all forms of oppression, danger, or evil. It is not just about abstract 'salvation' but God's specific, active deliverance in a concrete situation. This term is intrinsically linked to the concept of God as Savior and points prophetically to Jesus (Yeshua).

• my soul shall be joyful... it shall rejoice: This forms a parallel poetic structure, characteristic of Hebrew poetry (synthetic or synonymous parallelism). The repetition and use of two strong verbs for rejoicing (tagil and tasis) amplify the intensity and totality of the joy. It underscores that the joy will be complete, overflowing, and pervasive throughout the psalmist's being.
• in the LORD; it shall rejoice in his salvation: This pairing highlights the inseparable nature of God's person and His actions. The psalmist's joy is first and foremost in the LORD Himself (the source and subject of his faith) and subsequently in His salvation (the specific outcome or manifestation of His character and power). The personal "his" links the salvation directly back to YHWH, reinforcing that only God can provide this kind of comprehensive deliverance.

Psalm 35 9 Bonus section

The concept of Yeshuah (salvation/deliverance) being the cause of joy here carries significant theological weight. While immediately referring to physical deliverance from enemies, in its broadest biblical sense, yeshuah also encompasses spiritual salvation and ultimate rescue from sin and death. This resonates powerfully with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ (Yeshua in Hebrew) as the embodiment of God's salvation. Therefore, the psalmist's rejoicing "in His salvation" finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound meaning in Christ's atoning work and triumphant resurrection. The very names "Lord" (YHWH) and "salvation" point towards the full revelation of God's redemptive plan throughout history. This verse thus stands as an enduring testimony to faith that looks beyond present distress to the faithfulness of God, finding the highest joy in His very being and His ultimate, decisive acts of deliverance.

Psalm 35 9 Commentary

Psalm 35:9 is a pivotal verse, shifting the psalmist's plea to profound faith and anticipation. It reveals a robust spiritual principle: true and lasting joy is found not in external circumstances or the absence of enemies, but internally, anchored securely "in the LORD" and derived from confidence "in His salvation." This joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep, all-encompassing experience engaging the very core of one's being (nephesh). The double declaration of rejoicing emphasizes its exuberance and certainty. It teaches that even in the midst of unceasing conflict and unjust persecution, the believer can pre-emptively rejoice in God’s ultimate triumph, His righteousness, and His guaranteed deliverance. This divine joy acts as a spiritual strength, allowing the psalmist to praise God before the deliverance is physically manifested. It's a statement of radical trust, demonstrating that God Himself and His redemptive work are the believer's true delight and vindication. This principle applies practically by cultivating a reliance on God's character and promises amidst trials, allowing His anticipated intervention to infuse hope and gratitude. For example, when facing slanders, rather than despair, one can trust God's justice and anticipate the joy of His vindication; or in prolonged illness, find comfort and even gladness in His redemptive plan beyond earthly suffering.