Psalm 37:39 kjv
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39 nkjv
But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39 niv
The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39 esv
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39 nlt
The LORD rescues the godly;
he is their fortress in times of trouble.
Psalm 37 39 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the LORD... | God is the source of rescue. |
| Psa 9:9 | The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed... | God as a refuge for those in need. |
| Psa 18:2 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer... | God as ultimate protector. |
| Psa 34:17 | The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them... | God answers His faithful in trouble. |
| Psa 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous... | Afflictions are part of life, God delivers. |
| Psa 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. | God is always present in distress. |
| Psa 62:1-2 | My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation... | Salvation and security found only in God. |
| Psa 91:15 | When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble... | God's promise of presence and help. |
| Pro 18:10 | The name of the LORD is a strong tower... | God's character is a secure refuge. |
| Isa 25:4 | You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress... | God's role as protector for the vulnerable. |
| Isa 45:22 | Look to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth... | Universal call to God for salvation. |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble... | God's goodness manifest in protection. |
| Jon 2:9 | Salvation comes from the LORD. | Jonah's affirmation of God as Deliverer. |
| Luk 19:9 | Today salvation has come to this house... | Salvation (spiritual, personal) from Christ. |
| Acts 4:12 | Salvation is found in no one else... | Exclusivity of salvation through Christ. |
| Rom 5:1 | Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God... | Righteousness leading to peace. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart... you will be saved. | NT emphasis on salvation by faith in Jesus. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | ...the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles... | God's comfort and support in trials. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation... present your requests to God... | Trusting God eliminates anxiety in trouble. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. | Direct access to God's help in need. |
| Jam 1:2-4 | Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials... | Trials as opportunities for spiritual growth. |
Psalm 37 verses
Psalm 37 39 Meaning
Psalm 37:39 declares that the deliverance and rescue of those who live righteously comes solely from the Lord. He acts as their secure refuge and fortress, providing protection and stability specifically during times of distress, tribulation, and adversity. It emphasizes divine providence and unwavering support for those devoted to Him.
Psalm 37 39 Context
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm written by David, addressing the perplexing issue of the prosperity of the wicked contrasted with the perceived struggles of the righteous. Throughout the chapter, David offers instruction and comfort to the righteous who might be tempted to envy or fret over the seemingly successful ungodly. The central theme is that ultimately, God will vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked, asserting His justice and faithfulness. Verses 37-38 lead directly into verse 39 by reiterating the blessed future of the blameless and the eventual destruction of the transgressors, setting the stage for the definitive statement that the righteous have their ultimate security in the Lord, irrespective of their current circumstances. The original audience would understand this within the framework of God's covenant relationship with Israel, where loyalty to YHWH brought His protective favor, and where trust was essential amidst life's uncertainties. It subtly opposes the popular notion that material prosperity necessarily signifies divine blessing or that the lack of it implies divine displeasure, especially when righteous individuals faced adversity.
Psalm 37 39 Word analysis
- The salvation (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshu'ah): This Hebrew term refers to rescue, deliverance, welfare, prosperity, and victory. It encompasses not only ultimate spiritual salvation but also present-day rescue and divine assistance in dire circumstances. It signifies an act of God, emphasizing His active intervention for His people.
- of the righteous (צַדִּיקִים, tzaddiqim): Plural of tzaddiq, meaning "just," "righteous." In the Psalms, these are individuals characterized by their uprightness, integrity, and faith in God. They are not sinless, but their lives are marked by devotion, obedience to God's commands, and trust in His covenant promises. They live by faith and are declared righteous by God.
- is from the LORD (מֵיְהוָה, me-YHWH): This phrase profoundly declares God's sovereignty as the sole source of this deliverance. The use of YHWH (the personal, covenant name of God) underscores His unique power, faithfulness, and relationship with His people. It rules out any human or external source of true help or security.
- he is their stronghold (מָעוֹזָם, ma'ozam): Ma'oz means "stronghold," "fortress," "refuge," "defense," "shelter." It implies a secure, impenetrable place of safety. It's not a passive retreat but an active, defensive power that God Himself provides. The suffix "-am" denotes "their," reinforcing God's personal and possessive protection over His chosen ones.
- in time of trouble (בְּעֵת צָרָה, b'et tsarah): Et means "time," and tsarah means "distress," "anguish," "adversity," "trouble," "calamity." This highlights the practical application of God's protection – it's specifically in moments of difficulty, when human resources fail, that His presence and power as a stronghold are manifested. It acknowledges that the righteous will face trouble.
Psalm 37 39 Bonus section
The active nature of God's protection is emphasized by ma'oz, which often denotes a fortified place providing military advantage or defense, suggesting God doesn't merely shelter but actively defends. This verse also implicitly points forward to the ultimate "yeshu'ah" found in Jesus Christ, where physical and spiritual deliverance converge. While this Psalm speaks of temporal blessings and rescue, the New Testament deepens the understanding of "righteousness" as being given by grace through faith (Rom 4:3-5) and "salvation" as full redemption (Eph 2:8-9), yet the foundational principle of God's sovereignty as the source of deliverance remains absolute. This verse highlights a fundamental truth repeated throughout Scripture: those who genuinely trust and obey God will find His divine provision and protection sufficient, regardless of their earthly circumstances.
Psalm 37 39 Commentary
Psalm 37:39 serves as a concise theological anchor within a wisdom psalm, assuring the righteous of God's steadfast care despite the transient prosperity of the wicked. It offers profound comfort by clearly defining God as the exclusive fount of true salvation and a formidable defense. The "salvation" (yeshu'ah) spoken of is comprehensive—not just future eternal redemption, but present vindication, preservation, and aid. This verse establishes that God’s faithful presence is guaranteed for His followers during times of trial, directly contrasting any notion that He abandons them in distress. The imagery of a "stronghold" (ma'oz) depicts an active, reliable, and impenetrable divine fortress, a place of safety and strength, where believers can find complete security when human efforts falter and earthly circumstances seem bleak. It encourages trust and perseverance, redirecting focus from fleeting earthly concerns to the unwavering nature of God's protective love.Example: A person facing financial ruin, yet refusing to compromise their integrity, finds their ultimate provision and peace in God's faithfulness, knowing He is their stronghold in that time of trouble.Example: When unjustly accused, a righteous individual finds their true defense and ultimate vindication not in their own arguments or alliances, but in the Lord's intervention.