Psalm 53 6

Psalm 53:6 kjv

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalm 53:6 nkjv

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Psalm 53:6 niv

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 53:6 esv

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Psalm 53:6 nlt

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
When God restores his people,
Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Psalm 53 verses

Psalm 53 6 Meaning

This verse is a heartfelt cry for God's comprehensive and definitive salvation to issue forth from Zion, His holy dwelling place. It expresses a deep longing for the day when the LORD God will reverse the suffering and adversity of His chosen people, restoring their state from decline or captivity. The anticipated result of this divine intervention is immense and jubilant rejoicing throughout Israel and among the descendants of Jacob, signifying complete national restoration and joy in God's faithfulness.

Psalm 53 6 Context

Psalm 53 is almost identical to Psalm 14, sharing the same core message of the universal depravity of humanity and the unwavering faithfulness of God to His people. Titled "A Maskil of David," it suggests a didactic or contemplative purpose. The psalm vividly portrays the moral corruption and godlessness prevalent in society, describing "fools" who deny God and commit abominable deeds. Against this backdrop of widespread iniquity and oppression of the righteous, verse 6 arises as a profound yearning for divine intervention. Historically, David might have penned this during periods of great internal moral decay in Israel or external threats, where God's hand seemed hidden, and wickedness prevailed. The desire for "salvation from Zion" underscores the understanding that true deliverance comes from God's established presence in Jerusalem, where His law and judgment reside. The plea for God to "restore the fortunes of his people" speaks to any period of distress, decline, or spiritual brokenness that the nation experienced, echoing a deep covenantal hope for ultimate vindication and prosperity from their God.

Psalm 53 6 Word analysis

• Oh, that / Who will give (מִי יִתֵּן - mi yitten): This is an exclamation of intense longing and ardent wish, akin to "would that" or "if only." It signifies a passionate plea and conviction that such profound salvation can only come through divine initiative and power.
• Salvation (יְשׁוּעוֹת - yeshu'ot): The plural form emphasizes comprehensive, complete, and abundant deliverance. It denotes various aspects of well-being: vindication, rescue, peace, prosperity, and restoration, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions.
• Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisra'el): Refers to God's chosen covenant people, encompassing both the physical nation and, in a broader sense, all those who are spiritually true to God's covenant.
• Come out of Zion (מִצִּיּוֹן - miTzion): Zion represents Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion and its temple, as the seat of God's presence, authority, and ultimate source of redemption. It highlights that deliverance comes from God alone, not from human or earthly sources.
• When God restores the fortunes (בְּשׁוּב הַקֵּיּוֹם - beshuv ha-shevut): An idiomatic Hebrew phrase literally meaning "when He turns the turning" or "when He returns the returned ones." It indicates a complete reversal of adverse circumstances—whether captivity, defeat, or spiritual decline—to a state of blessing, prosperity, and renewed favor, reflecting God's powerful restorative action.
• His people (עַמּוֹ - amó): A possessive term affirming Israel's unique status as God's chosen covenant people, emphasizing God's vested interest and faithfulness in their restoration.
• Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad (יָגִיל יַעֲקֹב יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל - yagil Ya'akov yismaḥ Yisra'el):
  • Jacob (יַעֲקֹב - Ya'akov): A poetic parallel to "Israel," referring to the patriarch and by extension, the entire nation, emphasizing their unified identity.
  • Rejoice (יָגִיל - yagil) / be glad (יִשְׂמַח - yismaḥ): These two strong verbs express the profound and exuberant joy anticipated upon God's restorative act. Yagil implies exultant, leaping joy, while yismaḥ denotes deep inner satisfaction and gladness, together signifying total elation.

Psalm 53 6 Bonus section

The near-identicality of Psalm 53 to Psalm 14 is a unique feature within the Psalter. The primary distinction lies in the use of divine names: Psalm 14 predominantly uses "LORD" (Yahweh), God's personal covenant name, while Psalm 53 consistently employs "God" (Elohim). This difference suggests a possible scribal or liturgical revision, perhaps to fit an Elohistic collection of psalms. This particular choice in Psalm 53 emphasizes God's power and sovereignty as the universal creator and judge, a more general divine attribute, perhaps broadening the psalm's appeal or focus beyond just the covenant relationship, reinforcing that the God of all creation will bring about this salvation. Additionally, while the verse looks back at a "turning of fortunes," its ultimate longing is eschatological. This cry of "Oh, that!" is a deeply spiritual yearning for a comprehensive, end-time deliverance, which points towards the Messianic age and the ultimate restoration under the King who rules from Zion. This prophetic dimension ensures its relevance throughout salvation history, culminating in the full realization of God's kingdom.

Psalm 53 6 Commentary

Psalm 53:6 expresses a deep theological hope that echoes throughout the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New. The "Oh, that..." clause is not merely a wish but a passionate prayer and confession of faith that deliverance, specifically multi-faceted salvations, emanates solely from God, dwelling in Zion. This perspective stands as a strong assertion against reliance on human strength or idolatrous foreign deities, underlining that divine intervention from the true God of Israel is the singular source of restoration. The phrase "when God restores the fortunes of his people" speaks to God's ultimate intention to reverse periods of adversity, spiritual decline, or physical dispersion. This is not a human initiative but a sovereign act of God. The expected outcome – the universal rejoicing of Jacob and Israel – signifies the deep, profound joy that springs from divine faithfulness and vindication. This verse is an enduring testament to the belief that even in the face of pervasive evil and despair, God remains sovereign, and His redemptive plan culminates in the restoration of His people, culminating in the joyous celebration of His gracious work, which Christians see ultimately manifested in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and His coming kingdom.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Times of Distress: When facing personal or communal hardship, we can pray for God's "restoration of fortunes," trusting that true help comes from Him.
  • Hope for Justice: In situations of pervasive injustice, this verse fuels a hopeful anticipation that God will indeed "turn the tide" and bring about righteousness.
  • Anticipation of Christ's Return: The "oh, that..." longing finds its ultimate expression in the Christian hope for Christ's second coming, when all things will be fully restored and evil finally defeated, leading to ultimate joy.