Psalm 70 4

Psalm 70:4 kjv

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Psalm 70:4 nkjv

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!"

Psalm 70:4 niv

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The LORD is great!"

Psalm 70:4 esv

May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!"

Psalm 70:4 nlt

But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, "God is great!"

Psalm 70 verses

Psalm 70 4 Meaning

Psalm 70:4 expresses a profound spiritual aspiration: that all individuals earnestly seeking the Most High God will find profound joy and exuberant gladness in Him alone. Furthermore, it desires that those who deeply cherish and value His deliverance—His comprehensive act of salvation—will continuously proclaim His inherent greatness. It represents a pivot from personal distress to a hopeful declaration of corporate worship and God's sovereignty amidst challenging circumstances.

Psalm 70 4 Context

Psalm 70 is a fervent cry for swift divine intervention against enemies, virtually identical to Psalm 40:13-17. It is one of David's Psalms, arising from a context of personal peril and distress where adversaries seek his ruin. The Psalm belongs to the genre of individual lament, common in the Psalms, where the supplicant, overwhelmed by tribulation, petitions God for immediate deliverance and retribution against his foes. Verse 4 stands as a profound shift within this lament. After crying for the defeat and shame of his enemies (vv. 2-3), the Psalmist pivots to a communal prayer, expressing his hope that not just he, but "all those who seek God" will rejoice. This turn demonstrates David's unwavering trust that, despite his present anguish, God is sovereign and worthy of perpetual praise from His people. It reflects a shift from "me" to "them" (the righteous community) and ultimately to "You" (God).

Psalm 70 4 Word analysis

• Let all those who seek You: This phrase translates from the Hebrew "יְבַקְשׁוּךָ" (y'vakshukha).

  • seek: From the root בָּקַשׁ (baqash), meaning to search diligently, to strive after, to request, or inquire. It implies an earnest, purposeful pursuit, not a casual or half-hearted attempt. In a spiritual sense, it denotes active engagement with God, seeking His presence, will, and favor. It's a fundamental posture of faith, indicating dependence on God rather than self.
  • You: Refers directly to Yahweh, the covenant God. The object of this earnest searching is God Himself, not just His blessings or aid.

• rejoice: From שָׂמַח (samach), signifying deep inner joy, a gladness of heart, contentment, or merriment. This joy is not circumstantial but arises from a relationship with God.

• and be glad: From גִּיל (gil), denoting an exuberant, often demonstrative joy. It suggests a bubbling over of happiness, possibly expressed through shouting or singing, and implies extreme delight or triumph. When combined with "rejoice," it paints a picture of profound, overflowing delight in God.

• in You: This crucial phrase specifies the source of the joy and gladness. It's not joy in deliverance itself, or in earthly prosperity, but "in God." He is the wellspring of their delight and contentment, irrespective of external circumstances.

• and let those who love Your salvation:

  • love: From אָהַב (ahav), signifying deep affection, strong attachment, and commitment. This isn't merely liking but a profound, heartfelt appreciation and devotion.
  • Your salvation: From יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah), meaning deliverance, rescue, welfare, victory, or prosperity. In the biblical context, "salvation" is comprehensive, referring not just to physical rescue from danger but ultimately to spiritual liberation from sin, death, and eternal judgment through God's redemptive work. It encompasses God's entire redemptive plan and His saving acts throughout history. Those who "love" it cherish God's intervention, mercy, and restorative power in all its forms.

• say continually: Emphasizes the ongoing, unbroken nature of the declaration. It suggests a persistent testimony, a habit of life where God's praise is always on their lips, in all seasons.

• 'Let God be magnified!': From יִגְדַּל אֱלֹהִים (yigdal Elohim), literally meaning "Let God be great!" or "May God be magnified!"

  • magnified: The verb גָּדַל (gadal) in the Hiphil stem or (as often interpreted) used emphatically, doesn't mean to make God actually bigger (He is infinitely great), but rather to declare His greatness, to make His inherent vastness and splendor manifest, acknowledged, and proclaimed to the world. It is an act of adoration, giving God the supreme glory and honor He is due, extolling His power, sovereignty, and faithfulness. This contrasts sharply with the enemies' desire for David's shame and the arrogant "Aha, aha!" they shout (v. 3).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You": This phrase highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship: diligent seeking of God leads to a profound, Spirit-wrought joy and gladness that is rooted solely in God's person. This joy is accessible to all who engage in this spiritual pursuit.
  • "and let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified!'": This group emphasizes a connection between an affection for God's saving acts and a constant, public declaration of His greatness. Those who have experienced or deeply appreciate God's deliverance are compelled to continually acclaim His supreme worth and power, giving Him all the glory.

Psalm 70 4 Bonus section

This verse, appearing within a lament, provides a powerful insight into the biblical understanding of faith. Even amidst fervent pleas for divine intervention against enemies, the Psalmist maintains an outward, God-focused orientation. It showcases the eschatological hope within Old Testament spirituality—the assurance that God will ultimately be glorified, and His faithful ones will rejoice, irrespective of the present suffering. The desire that others might rejoice and magnify God demonstrates a profound pastoral heart, a shift from purely individual distress to a corporate vision of God's worship and honor among His people. It subtly challenges the self-centered nature often associated with human desires for vindication by instead focusing on God's deserved exaltation.

Psalm 70 4 Commentary

Psalm 70:4 is a powerful intercessory prayer and an expression of hope within a lament. While the preceding verses articulate a desperate plea for deliverance from adversaries, this verse pivots to focus on the community of faith and God's enduring glory. It reveals a shift from self-preservation to a longing for God's ultimate vindication and renown. The core message is that genuine joy and gladness for believers flow directly from their diligent pursuit of God's presence. This joy is not dependent on circumstances or the absence of trials, but rooted purely in the nature of God Himself. Furthermore, those who deeply appreciate and cherish God's multifaceted salvation—whether deliverance from immediate danger or spiritual redemption—will respond with perpetual praise. Their consistent declaration, "Let God be magnified," serves as a direct counter-statement to the taunts of the unrighteous, affirming God's unassailable majesty and His ultimate triumph. The verse beautifully intertwines seeking God, experiencing divine joy, loving His redemptive work, and perpetually proclaiming His supreme worth, forming a continuous cycle of faith and worship that undergirds resilience in the face of adversity.