Psalms 105:4 — Word Study
WLCדִּרְשׁ֣וּ יְהוָ֣ה וְעֻזּ֑וֹ בַּקְּשׁ֖וּ פָנָ֣יו תָּמִֽיד׃
BSASeek outdârash [diligently, with all your heart] the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] and His strengthʻôz [might, power, boldness] seekbâqash [search for, ask for] His facepânîym [presence, being in front of Him] alwaystâmîyd [continually, constantly, every day]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דִּרְשׁ֣וּ | seek | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine plural |
| יְהוָ֣ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| וְעֻזּ֑וֹ | and strength his | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בַּקְּשׁ֖וּ | seek | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine plural |
| פָנָ֣יו | face his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| תָּמִֽיד׃ | continually | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. |
| KJV | Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. |
| ASV | Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore. |
| YLT | Seek ye Jehovah and His strength, Seek ye His face continually. |
| WEB | Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. |
| BBE | Let your search be for the Lord and for his strength; let your hearts ever be turned to him. |
The translations agree on the call to seek the Lord and His strength, with no significant differences noted.
The verse consists of a main clause and a subordinate imperative phrase, emphasizing the action of seeking.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָּרַשׁ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 105:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Call to Seek the Lordgenerated
Psalm 105:4 encourages the faithful to actively seek the Lord, highlighting the relationship between seeking God and experiencing His strength. This verse is part of a larger psalm that recounts God's mighty acts and faithfulness to His people, inviting them to remember His wonders and rejoice in His presence.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amos 5:4–6 | For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live! |
| 2 | Zephaniah 2:2–3 | before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. |
| 3 | Psalm 78:61 | He delivered His strength to captivity, and His splendor to the hand of the adversary. |
| 4 | Psalm 132:8 | Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. |
| 5 | 2 Chronicles 6:41 | Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, and enter Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might. May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דִּרְשׁ֣וּ, dir.Shugenerated
The verb דָּרַשׁ (darash) means to seek or inquire, often in the context of worship. It implies a diligent search, encompassing actions from frequenting a place to consulting God in prayer. The imperative form here calls the community to actively pursue a relationship with God.
This word is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, indicating its importance in the pursuit of divine presence. The Qal form suggests a straightforward seeking, while the depth of the action implies a heartfelt and earnest quest.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse revolves around two imperative verbs: דִּרְשׁ֣וּ (seek) and בַּקְּשׁ֖וּ (seek), each commanding the community to act. The first verb emphasizes seeking the Lord and His strength, while the second focuses on seeking His face.
The parallelism in the verse highlights the relationship between seeking God and experiencing His strength, with the adverbial תָּמִֽיד (continually) underscoring the ongoing nature of this pursuit.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb דִּרְשׁ֣וּ is rendered as ζητήσατε (zētēsate), which carries a similar meaning of seeking or searching. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the action of seeking God.
The use of ζητήσατε indicates a call not only to seek but to do so with intention, aligning with the Hebrew's emphasis on earnestness in seeking the Lord.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 105:4 encourages us to seek the Lord and His strength continually. This verse is a reminder that we should actively pursue a relationship with God, asking for His presence every day.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To seek the Lord means to actively pursue a relationship with Him through prayer, worship, and remembrance of His deeds.
Seeking God's strength is important because it empowers us to face life's challenges and reminds us of His presence in our lives.
You can seek God's face continually by engaging in daily prayer, reading Scripture, and being mindful of His presence throughout your day.
You can remember God's wonders by reflecting on His past faithfulness, sharing testimonies with others, and keeping a journal of answered prayers.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively seek the Lord in my daily life?
- How can remembering God's past deeds strengthen my faith today?
- What practices can help me to seek God's presence continually?
- How does seeking God's strength change my perspective on challenges I face?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church writers referenced this verse to emphasize the importance of seeking God and His presence, as seen in quotations from Eusebius, Augustine, and Gregory.
In Psalms 104 [LXX], David, when referring to the stories of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the very men who were his godly ancestors, who lived before Moses’ day, calls them Christs,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 105 →
"Seek the Lord, and be strengthened" [Psalms 105:4]. This is very literally construed from the Greek, though it may seem not a Latin word: whence other copies have,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 105 →
With this love burned whoever was able to reach the truth. Hence David says: "My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?" Hence he admonishes us, saying: "Seek his face always."Early Church Fathers on Psalms 105 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 105:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSeek the Lord and his strength,.... The ark, which is called his strength, and the ark of his strength, Psalms 78:61, because he had shown his great strength by it, in dividing the waters at Jordan,
Read John Gill on Psalms 105 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySeek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Seek the Lord, and his strength. Translate, 'Consult the Lord,' etc.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 105 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe Lord, and his strength, i.e. by a figure called hendiaduo, the Lord in his strength, to wit, in his sanctuary, or before the ark, which is called God’ s strength, 78:61, and the ark of his strength, . His face, i.e. his gracious presence in his sanctuary, and the blessed fruits of it. See on .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 105 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.Ver. 4. Seek the Lord, and his strength] That is, his ark, at the remove whereof to Jerusalem this psalm was sung, 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, &c. Called it is God’ s strength and God’ s face here; yea, even God himself, Psalms 132:5. It is as if he should say, Frequent holy assemblies, as ever you desire to draw nigh to God, and to have your faith in him confirmed.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 105 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Seek the Lord.—Better, Enquire after Jehovah and his power. The congregation is directed to the historical survey which follows. This sense seems settled by Psalms 111:2 : “The works of Jehovah are great, enquired into by all those who take delight in them.” And hence the word “strength” must be understood as used generally of the manifestation of Divine power in the wondrous deeds now to be mentioned.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 105 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. Seek the Lord] Worship the one only Supreme Being, as the only and all-sufficient good for the soul of man. And his strength] Man is weak; and needs connexion with the strong God that he may be enabled to avoid evil and do good. Seek his face] Reconciliation to him. Live not without a sense of his favour. Evermore.] Let this be thy chief business. In and above all thy seeking, seek this.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 105 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. Two synonymous words are rendered seek in this verse. Both originally referred to the outward act of visiting the sanctuary, but both come to express the inward purpose of the heart as well. So far as they can be distinguished the first denotes the attitude of loving devotion, the second that of inquiry or supplication. To ‘seek Jehovah’ is the duty and the joy of the true Israelite. From His strength and presence alone can Israel derive the protection and blessing that it needs. His strength cannot here mean the Ark, as in Psalms 78:61.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 105 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSeek the Lord and his strength - Seek strength from him; seek that his strength may be imparted to you; seek him as a Being of almighty power; as One by whom you may be strengthened.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 105 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more.
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually!
Tyndale line
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore.
Seek ye the LORD and his strength; seek his face evermore.
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
Seeke the Lord and his strength: seeke his face continually.
Strictly literal
Seek Jehovah and his strength, seek his face continually;
Seek ye Jehovah and His strength, Seek ye His face continually.
Seek YHWH and His strength, || Seek His face continually.
Inquire after the Lord and his strength: seek his presence evermore.
Seek Yahweh and his strength; seek his presence continually.
From the Latin
Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation.
Simplified
Look for the Lord, and his strength; always look to be in his presence.
Let your search be for the Lord and for his strength; let your hearts ever be turned to him.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: דִּרְשׁ֣וּ יְהוָ֣ה וְעֻזּ֑וֹ בַּקְּשׁ֖וּ פָנָ֣יו תָּמִֽיד׃. The Septuagint matches four of the six words, maintaining the essence of the verse, while the Dead Sea Scrolls reflect a similar reading with minor editorial adjustments.
דִּרְשׁ֣וּ יְהוָ֣ה וְעֻזּ֑וֹ בַּקְּשׁ֖וּ פָנָ֣יו תָּמִֽיד׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
דרושו יהוה ועוז׳ו בקשו [פני׳ו] תמיד
5 words on the leather — 1 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 105:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָּרַשׁ (darash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or inquire. It encompasses a range of actions from frequenting a place to consulting deities in prayer and worship. The word can imply a diligent search or demand, and it appears in both Qal and Niphal forms, indicating various nuances of seeking and being sought. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
דָּרַשׁ 162 vb. resort to, seek
Qal
(tread a place,) resort to, frequent
seek, consult, inquire of
seek deity in prayer and worship
seek, with idea of demanding, require
inquire, investigate (a matter)
ask for, require, demand
seek with application, study, follow, practise
seek with care, care for
Niph.
let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of God
be sought out
be required, of blood
base
H1875 דָּרַשׁ resort to, seek
1875 darash daw-rash'
a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to
follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or
ask; specifically to worship:--ask, X at all, care for, X
diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer,
question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.
דָּרַשׁ (da.rash) — to seek.
1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place)
1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek
1a2a) of God
1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers
1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship
1a3a) God
1a3b) heathen deities
1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require
1a5) to investigate, enquire
1a6) to ask for, require, demand
1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application
1a8) to seek with care, care for
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God)
1b2) to be sought, be sought out
1b3) to be required (of blood)
V-Qal-Impv-2mp — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine pluralHVqv2mp
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
בָּקַשׁ (baqash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or search out, often in the context of worship or prayer. It encompasses a range of actions including asking, desiring, and requiring. The verb can appear in different forms, such as Piel and Pual, indicating various nuances of seeking or being sought.
[בָּקַשׁ] 224 vb. seek
Pi.
seek to find
seek to secure
seek the face
desire, demand
require, exact
exact equivalent or penalty for
(late) ask, request
Pu. be sought
base
H1245 בָּקַשׁ seek
1245 baqash baw-kash'
a primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically
in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after:--ask,
beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,
(make) request, require, seek (for).
בָּקַשׁ (ba.qash) — to seek.
1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to seek to find
1a2) to seek to secure
1a3) to seek the face
1a4) to desire, demand
1a5) to require, exact
1a6) to ask, request
1b) (Pual) to be sought
V-Piel-Impv-2mp — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine pluralHVpv2mp
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
תָּמִיד (tamiyd) refers to continuity or perpetuity, often used adverbially to mean continually or constantly. It is derived from a root meaning to stretch, indicating indefinite extension. The term is also associated with the regular daily sacrifice in the Old Testament, emphasizing its constant nature.
תָּמִיד n.m. continuity
earliest and oftenest as adv., continually
as subst.
base
H8548 תָּמִיד continuity . earliest and oftenest as adv., continually
. as subst.
8548 tamiyd taw-meed'
from an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance
(as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as
adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); ellipt. the
regular (daily) sacrifice:--alway(-s), continual
(employment, -ly), daily, ((n-))ever(-more), perpetual.
תָּמִיד (ta.mid) — continually.
1) continuity, perpetuity, to stretch
1a) continually, continuously (as adverb)
1b) continuity (subst)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa