Psalm 69 35

Psalm 69:35 kjv

For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

Psalm 69:35 nkjv

For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it.

Psalm 69:35 niv

for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

Psalm 69:35 esv

For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it;

Psalm 69:35 nlt

For God will save Jerusalem
and rebuild the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
and settle in their own land.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 35 Meaning

Psalm 69:35 declares God's certain and sovereign plan to deliver and restore Zion and the cities of Judah. It assures that God Himself will save His people and their dwelling places, enabling them to inhabit and rightfully possess their land in security and permanence. This verse shifts the psalm's focus from personal lament to a hopeful prophecy of national redemption and future flourishing under God's hand.

Psalm 69 35 Context

Psalm 69 is a deeply personal lament of an innocent sufferer, often attributed to David, who is experiencing profound affliction, reproach, and opposition from his enemies, even from his own family. He expresses his desperate cry to God for deliverance from this overwhelming distress, likening himself to one sinking in deep waters. The psalm contains numerous messianic prophecies, notably quoted by New Testament writers concerning Christ's suffering (e.g., Ps 69:4, 9, 21-22). The shift in verses 34-36, including verse 35, transitions from a fervent prayer for vindication and judgment on his oppressors (vv. 22-28) to a corporate expression of praise and a confident eschatological hope for the entire nation. This transition from individual plight to national restoration is a common feature in many laments, demonstrating God's ultimate plan for His people extends beyond the individual's suffering. Historically, this prophecy looks forward to periods of national restoration for Judah after devastations, such as the return from Babylonian exile, and ultimately points to the greater, final establishment of God's eternal kingdom and dwelling place with humanity.

Psalm 69 35 Word analysis

• For God (Ki Elohim): The opening "For" connects this future hope to the preceding calls for divine judgment and the offering of praise (vv. 30-34). It introduces the ultimate reason and foundation for hope. "God" (Elohim, אֱלֹהִים) emphasizes His role as the sovereign, all-powerful Creator and Judge, the one who initiates and accomplishes salvation and building, setting Him apart from human weakness or false deities. It highlights the divine initiative and certainty of the promised action.

• will save (yoshia יְוֹשִׁיעַ): This verb signifies not merely rescuing from immediate danger but comprehensive deliverance, bringing victory, safety, and well-being. It is a promise of complete redemption and preservation from destruction, implying a future certainty of divine intervention. It encompasses both physical deliverance from enemies and spiritual restoration.

• Zion (Tsiyon צִיּוֹן): Refers to the citadel hill of Jerusalem, becoming a metonym for the city of Jerusalem itself, God's holy dwelling place, the capital of Judah, and ultimately, a spiritual symbol of God's people and His presence. Saving Zion implies the protection, restoration, and glorification of His chosen city and His covenant people.

• and build (yivneha יִבְנֶה) the cities (‘arey עָרֵי) of Judah (Yehudah יְהוּדָה): "Build" denotes establishing, rebuilding from ruins, restoring, and making firm. It is a comprehensive act of construction and renewal, suggesting recovery from desolation or decline. "The cities of Judah" extends the scope of salvation beyond just Jerusalem to the entire surrounding region and its populace, signifying a full national restoration and revitalization, touching every facet of the land and its people. This acts as a polemic against any notion that their pagan neighbors or idols could restore their brokenness, asserting that only God truly builds and restores.

• that men may dwell there, (weyashvu-sham וְיָשְׁבוּ שָׁם): "Dwell" signifies secure, peaceful, and permanent habitation. It emphasizes stability and absence of threat. This is the desired outcome of God's saving and building — a safe environment where His people can live undisturbed, no longer in exile, fear, or oppression. It implies a return of population to desolate areas.

• and have it in possession. (wiyrashuha וְיִרָשׁוּהָ): "Possess" refers to inheriting, taking full ownership, and exercising authority over something. It signifies receiving something as an inheritance, usually with enduring rights and tenure. Here, it affirms that God's people will rightfully and permanently inherit the land promised to their ancestors, fulfilling long-standing covenant promises regarding the land of Canaan as their secure dwelling.

• God will save Zion, and build the cities of Judah: This phrase powerfully conveys divine initiative and omnipotence. It is not human effort but God's direct, purposeful intervention that brings about this restoration. This promise covers both the spiritual and symbolic heart (Zion/Jerusalem) and the broader physical expanse and population (cities of Judah), ensuring a holistic recovery. It's a foundational statement of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises concerning the land and people of Israel.

• that men may dwell there, and have it in possession: This clause presents the blessed outcome and purpose of God's actions. It speaks to the practical, tangible reality of a restored life for the inhabitants – security, peace, settled existence, and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise of land inheritance. This signifies not just momentary relief but lasting, divinely secured tenure, reversing conditions of exile, fear, or displacement.

Psalm 69 35 Bonus section

The positioning of this national prophecy in a largely individual lament psalm highlights the interconnectedness of individual suffering and God's redemptive plan for His people. It suggests that even amidst the darkest personal trials, the broader hope of God's faithful restoration for His entire community remains certain. The language of "building" (banah) is significant, recalling God as the master builder, consistent with His acts in Genesis (building creation, then the nation Israel) and future prophecies (building His kingdom, the New Jerusalem). The phrase "cities of Judah" is specifically regional, emphasizing a return and flourishing of the historical covenant land, contrasting the previous widespread desolation and scattering mentioned elsewhere in the prophetic books. This verse ultimately testifies to the unwavering character of God—His faithfulness, His power, and His unchangeable purposes for His covenant people. It transitions the psalm's tone from desperate appeal to hopeful assurance, affirming that despite current turmoil, God's sovereign hand is moving towards complete and permanent restoration.

Psalm 69 35 Commentary

Psalm 69:35 encapsulates a profound shift from the depths of individual despair to the heights of national prophetic hope. The verse functions as an anchoring promise within a psalm laden with personal suffering and prophetic foretelling of the Messiah. Its message is straightforward yet deeply significant: God Himself, Elohim, the all-powerful covenant keeper, will ensure the salvation (yoshia) and restoration (yivneha) of Zion (Jerusalem) and the surrounding cities of Judah. This is not a human undertaking but a divine act of redemption, bringing desolate places back to vibrant life. The dual actions of "saving" and "building" signify comprehensive restoration – defense from enemies and physical reconstruction, promising a complete return to flourishing. The purpose is equally clear: so that "men may dwell there, and have it in possession." This signifies secure, peaceful habitation and the full, enduring inheritance of the land as God's promise fulfilled. While initially pointing to returns from exilic periods (like the Babylonian captivity), this prophecy echoes throughout biblical history and culminates in the eschatological hope of the New Jerusalem and God's final dwelling with His people, where perfect security and inheritance are realized in the eternal presence of God (Rev 21-22). It assures believers that God’s ultimate plan is not one of desolation but of restoration, security, and eternal blessing for His faithful ones.

• Example 1: For a person facing overwhelming loss and brokenness, this verse points to God's ultimate plan to rebuild and restore even the most shattered parts of one's life or community.
• Example 2: In times of community decline or spiritual apathy, this verse can serve as a reminder that God can (and will) rebuild and re-establish His people, filling His dwelling places with life once again.