Psalm 5 11

Psalm 5:11 kjv

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 5:11 nkjv

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.

Psalm 5:11 niv

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11 esv

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.

Psalm 5:11 nlt

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 11 Meaning

Psalm 5:11 is a plea for God to bring joy and continuous praise to all who seek refuge in Him, and for Him to provide protective covering over them. It expresses the confident expectation that those who trust in the Lord and cherish His revealed character will find overflowing gladness and triumph in Him, shielded by His divine presence and power. This verse contrasts the fate of the wicked, described earlier in the psalm, with the blessed state of the righteous who depend on God.

Psalm 5 11 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of King David, a fervent petition for God's attention and intervention against his enemies. The psalm opens with an earnest cry for God to hear his lament and consider his meditation (Psa 5:1-2). David then expresses his practice of seeking God early in the morning, watching and waiting (Psa 5:3). A sharp contrast is drawn between God's character and the nature of the wicked; God detests evildoers, liars, and violent people, ensuring their destruction (Psa 5:4-6). David, in humble reverence, anticipates access to God's house because of His steadfast love (Psa 5:7), and he prays for God's guidance on a straight path, asking for protection from his deceitful adversaries (Psa 5:8-10). Psalm 5:11 shifts from David's individual plea and description of the wicked to a universal desire for all who take refuge in God, culminating in a confident affirmation of God's blessing and protection upon the righteous (Psa 5:12). The verse functions as a climax, outlining the joyful and secure state of those devoted to the Lord, in stark opposition to the grim fate of the unrighteous discussed in the preceding verses.

Psalm 5 11 Word analysis

• But (וְאַל, w'al): This conjunctive particle signifies a strong contrast, marking a decisive shift from the preceding descriptions of God's judgment upon the wicked (Psa 5:9-10). It introduces the blessed state of the righteous, opposing it to the condemnation of the unrighteous.
• let all who take refuge (כָּל־חֽוֹסֵי בָ֑ךְ, kol-ḥôsê bāḵ):
  • All (כָּל־, kol): Emphasizes universality, encompassing everyone without exception who meets the condition.
  • take refuge (חֽוֹסֵי, ḥôsê - from חָסָה, ḥāsāh): Implies seeking shelter, fleeing for safety, relying upon. It suggests a desperate yet confident act of putting trust in something stronger than oneself, typically used for taking shelter under God's protection. It's a deep commitment of trust and dependence. This metaphor pictures God as a secure fortress or a protective covering where one can find absolute safety from danger or attack.
  • in you (בָ֑ךְ, bāḵ): Directly addresses God, signifying that He is the sole, ultimate, and dependable source of refuge. The pronoun is masculine singular, clearly pointing to the Lord.
• rejoice (יִשְׂמְחוּ, yiśməḥū - from שָׂמַח, śāmāḥ): Means to be glad, joyful, or merry. This is an inward emotional state of gladness. It's the natural outcome for those who trust in God, despite their circumstances.
• let them ever sing for joy (לְעוֹלָם יְרַנֵּנּוּ, ləʿōlām yəran'nênū):
  • ever (לְעוֹלָם, ləʿōlām): Indicates perpetually, forever, without end. This joy is not momentary but continuous.
  • sing for joy (יְרַנֵּנּוּ, yəran'nênū - from רָנַן, rānan): Refers to shouting or crying out with joy, often a loud, ringing sound, frequently associated with joyful singing or jubilation. It suggests an outward, demonstrative expression of that inner joy.
• Spread your protection over them (תָּסֵךְ עֲלֵימוֹ, tāsēḵ ‘ǎlêwēmō):
  • Spread your protection (תָּסֵךְ, tāsēḵ - from סָכַךְ, sāḵaḵ): The verb means "to cover, shelter, screen." It paints a vivid picture of God physically extending His presence or power like a canopy or a shield over His people, guarding them. It’s an active, divine intervention of guardianship.
  • over them (עֲלֵימוֹ, ‘ǎlêwēmō): Refers to the "all who take refuge in you," specifying the recipients of this divine shelter.
• that those who love your name (אֹהֲבֵי שְׁמֶךָ, ’ōhăḇê šəmeḵā):
  • love (אֹהֲבֵי, ’ōhăḇê - from אָהַב, ’āhab): Signifies a deep, abiding affection and commitment, a deliberate choice of devotion. This is not merely an emotion but a principle that governs one's life.
  • your name (שְׁמֶךָ, šəmeḵā): In Hebrew thought, the "name" of God encapsulates His entire revealed character, attributes, reputation, and authority (e.g., YHWH, El Shaddai). To love God's name means to love who God is, His essence, His justice, His mercy, His holiness – all that He has shown Himself to be. It's an intimate, holistic knowledge and appreciation of His being.
• may exult in you (יַעֲלְצוּ בָֽךְ, ya‘ăləṣū bāḵ):
  • exult (יַעֲלְצוּ, ya‘ăləṣū - from עָלַץ, ‘ālaṣ): Means to leap for joy, rejoice exceedingly, triumphantly. It suggests an overflowing, sometimes demonstrative, sense of delight, often linked with triumph or vindication. This form of joy is triumphant, especially in light of the prior descriptions of God dealing with the wicked.
  • in you (בָֽךְ, bāḵ): Again, highlights God as the object and source of this profound exultation. The joy is rooted directly in Him.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy.": This forms a parallel expression emphasizing both inner gladness ("rejoice") and outward, continuous vocal celebration ("ever sing for joy"). The core condition is seeking God as refuge, highlighting that spiritual security leads to unceasing praise. This establishes a foundational truth about the consequence of faith in God.
  • "Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.": This clause reveals the divine action that enables the human response. God's protective covering is the catalyst for the triumphant joy ("exult") of those whose lives are characterized by loving His nature and character. It connects divine sovereignty (protection) with human piety (love of God's name) to produce ultimate triumph. This implies that loving God's name makes one a candidate for divine protection, which in turn fuels their exultation.

Psalm 5 11 Bonus section

The concept of taking "refuge" in God (חָסָה, ḥāsāh) is a recurring theme in the Psalms, frequently paired with imagery of wings, a shadow, a rock, or a fortress. It speaks to a theological truth that safety is found solely in God, not in human strength or institutions. The prayer "Spread your protection over them" implicitly counters pagan notions where humans might seek protection from multiple, lesser deities or through ritualistic appeasement; here, the one true God is the exclusive source of comprehensive protection. The active, demonstrative joy (rejoice, sing for joy, exult) prescribed for believers is not merely an emotion but an act of worship and a testament to God's faithfulness, distinguishing God's followers from those lost in despair or arrogance. The progression of joy, from internal gladness to continuous singing to triumphant exultation, signifies a spiritual maturity and deep-seated confidence that blossoms under divine shelter.

Psalm 5 11 Commentary

Psalm 5:11 provides a powerful contrast to the psalm's earlier description of the wicked. While God rejects the unrighteous, He actively delights in, protects, and vindicates those who trust Him. The verse describes the blessed condition of the righteous in four dimensions: they take refuge in God, they rejoice, they sing for joy perpetually, and they exult in Him. This joy is not a shallow happiness but a deep, unshakeable gladness that flows from their confident dependence on God's character and His promises of protection. The phrase "love your name" signifies a profound appreciation for God's entire being and His revealed attributes. Their joy is amplified by God's active role in "spreading His protection" over them, illustrating His steadfast care. This protection isn't just physical safety but a comprehensive spiritual and emotional security that allows for unending triumph and celebration. For those who belong to God, life is marked by the presence of a protective and joyous refuge.