Psalm 72 14

Psalm 72:14 kjv

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Psalm 72:14 nkjv

He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

Psalm 72:14 niv

He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.

Psalm 72:14 esv

From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.

Psalm 72:14 nlt

He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are precious to him.

Psalm 72 verses

Psalm 72 14 Meaning

Psalm 72:14 describes the ideal king's protective and valuing character. It conveys that the righteous ruler will actively deliver the lives of the afflicted and vulnerable from injustice, exploitation, and brutal aggression. Furthermore, their lives, symbolized by their "blood," will be held in highest esteem and profound value in the king's estimation and care, emphasizing that their existence is not expendable but divinely cherished.

Psalm 72 14 Context

Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, traditionally attributed to Solomon or as a prayer for Solomon. It portrays the reign of an ideal king, beginning with a plea for divine righteousness and justice (v. 1-2). The psalm then elaborates on the characteristics of this king's rule: universal peace and prosperity (v. 3, 7), just governance for the poor and oppressed (v. 4), enduring dominion (v. 5-11), and deep compassion for the needy and suffering (v. 12-14). Verse 14 specifically highlights the king's active role in protecting the lives of his most vulnerable subjects. While it has immediate application to a righteous earthly king, its hyperbolic descriptions and pervasive themes of eternal dominion and universal blessing clearly point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as its ultimate fulfillment, describing the nature of His future perfect reign.

Psalm 72 14 Word Analysis

• He will redeem: יִגְאַל (yig'al) – Qal imperfect of the verb גָּאַל (ga'al). This word carries significant theological weight. It means "to redeem," "to deliver," or "to act as kinsman-redeemer." In ancient Israel, the "goel" was a close relative who had the responsibility to protect his family's interests, which included redeeming sold family land, avenging a murdered relative, or buying back a family member who had fallen into slavery. When applied to God or the king, it signifies a powerful, protective act of intervention, often involving a cost, to liberate someone from a dire situation.
• their life: נַפְשָׁם (nafsham) – literally "their soul" or "their self." In Hebrew thought, "nephesh" (נֶפֶשׁ) refers not just to a soul as an ethereal entity but to the totality of the living being, the very essence of existence, their personal vitality and being. Thus, it emphasizes the rescue of their whole person from imminent danger or ruin.
• from oppression: מִתּוֹךְ (mittoch) – from the preposition מִן (min) "from" and תּוֹךְ (toch), which means "inside, middle" but can idiomatically refer to "fraud," "oppression," or "violence" within society, often implying internal strife, crushing deceit, or exploitation from within one's own people or system. It signifies a deliverance from pervasive societal or systemic injustice.
• and violence: וּמֵחָמָס (u-mechamās) – from the conjunction וְ (u) "and," the preposition מִן (min) "from," and חָמָס (chamās). "Hamas" denotes "violence," "wrong," "injustice," "cruelty," or "ruthless aggression." This is often external, physical, and brutal wrongdoing. This term appears in Genesis 6:11 where the earth was filled with "violence" before the flood, highlighting its severe and destructive nature.
• and precious: וְיֵיקַר (wə-yêqar) – Qal imperfect of יָקַר (yaqar), meaning "to be precious," "to be highly esteemed," "to be costly," or "to be honored." It denotes inherent worth and high value in the eyes of the king.
• will their blood be: דָּמָם (damām) – "their blood." Blood, in the biblical context, represents life itself (Lev 17:11). "Precious will their blood be" signifies that their very lives are esteemed, protected, and invaluable to the king. It implies that any threat or shedding of their blood will not be taken lightly and will demand intervention or vindication.
• in his sight: בְּעֵינָיו (bəʿenāw) – literally "in his eyes." This phrase emphasizes that the king actively sees, acknowledges, and deeply values their existence. It's not just a passive acceptance but an attentive, caring, and protective gaze that dictates his actions.

Words-Group Analysis

• "He will redeem their life": This highlights the king's proactive and powerful intervention. It’s not passive protection but an active, deliberate rescue, signifying the cost and effort involved in their deliverance from grave danger to their very existence. This concept resonates with God's redemption of Israel from Egyptian bondage and ultimately Christ's redemption of humanity from sin and death.
• "from oppression and violence": These two terms cover a broad spectrum of harms that can be inflicted upon the vulnerable. "Oppression" often points to systemic or insidious injustice, economic exploitation, or legal fraud, while "violence" suggests overt, physical, or aggressive wrongdoing. The pairing ensures a comprehensive promise of protection from all forms of malevolent acts against the poor.
• "and precious will their blood be in his sight": This phrase beautifully captures the king's deep compassion and moral priority. It underscores the immense value placed on the lives of those typically considered marginalized or disposable by society. It implies that the king would spare no effort, even risking his own life, to protect them, affirming their inherent dignity and worth from a divine perspective. The emphasis on "blood" highlights the sacredness of human life.

Psalm 72 14 Bonus Section

• Messianic Fulfillment: This verse, within the context of Psalm 72, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's reign offered glimpses of justice and peace, it was ultimately flawed. Christ's kingdom, however, perfectly embodies this ideal. He is the true King who redeems humanity from the ultimate oppression of sin and the violence of spiritual death, and His own precious blood was shed for this redemption, signifying the ultimate value placed on human lives in God's sight. His return will bring complete liberation from all forms of earthly oppression and violence.
• The Goel Principle: The term "ga'al" (redeem) evokes the "goel" (kinsman-redeemer) concept from the Torah (e.g., Ruth, Leviticus 25). The ideal king acts as the ultimate "goel" for his people, especially the disadvantaged. He is the powerful, authoritative relative who steps in to restore lost rights, property, and freedom, and to protect lives.
• Divine Model for Rulership: This psalm provides a theological framework for righteous governance, serving as a prophetic template for all rulers, emphasizing that leadership, from a biblical perspective, is primarily about serving, protecting, and valuing the weakest members of society, reflecting God's own heart for justice.

Psalm 72 14 Commentary

Psalm 72:14 portrays the empathetic and mighty rule of the ideal king, who is first and foremost a redeemer and protector of the vulnerable. Unlike earthly rulers who often oppress or overlook the poor, this king actively intervenes to liberate his subjects from the grip of injustice, deceitful exploitation (oppression), and brutal physical aggression (violence). This active "redemption" points to a divine-like intervention, reminiscent of God delivering Israel from bondage. The second part of the verse, "precious will their blood be in his sight," reveals the profound value this king places on the lives of those whom society often devalues. Their very existence is held in such high regard that the king sees any threat to them as an attack on what is immensely valuable. This king stands as a stark contrast to human rulers who disregard human life for power or gain, and prefigures the perfect reign of Jesus Christ, whose ministry demonstrated deep compassion for the poor and marginalized, and whose shed blood provided the ultimate redemption for humanity. Practically, it speaks to the Christian duty of caring for the vulnerable, knowing their lives are precious to God.