Psalms 34:5

5 The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed.

Psalms 34:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 34:5

They looked to him, and were lightened
That is, "the humble" ones, ( Psalms 34:2 ) ; and so this is a reason why they should join in praising and magnifying the Lord; these "looked" up to God in prayer and by faith, when in distressed and uncomfortable circumstances, for help and deliverance, and a supply of every needful good thing; and they were "enlightened"; so the Targum renders it, "their faces were enlightened"; as Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret it, in opposition to what follows: they must have been enlightened before they could look, but by looking to the Lord more light was gained: this chiefly designs the light of joy, peace, and comfort, which is had in a way of believing: some render the word "and flowed" F12, as a river does, that is, to the Lord, as in ( Jeremiah 31:12 ) . So Kimchi and Ben Melech explain the word; and it denotes both the numbers of them that looked up to the Lord in their distress, and the swiftness of their motion to him, and their earnestness and fervour of mind; so faith is not only a looking to Christ, but a going forth unto him;

and their faces were not ashamed;
having what they prayed and looked for, and what they hoped and believed they should have; namely, deliverance and salvation, and so peace and pleasure.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (wdhnw) "et confluunt", Junius & Tremellius, Michaelis; "et instar fluvii irruerint", Piscator, Amama; "et confluxerunt", Gejerus.

Psalms 34:5 In-Context

3 Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together!
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears.
5 The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed.
6 The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their troubles.
7 His angel guards those who honor the Lord and rescues them from danger.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.