Psalms 25:17 — Word Study
WLCצָר֣וֹת לְבָבִ֣י הִרְחִ֑יבוּ מִ֝מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗י הוֹצִיאֵֽנִי׃
BSAThe troublestsârâh [sorrows, distresses, vexations] of my heartlêbâb [innermost being, mind, will, and emotions] increaserâchab■ [are enlarged, grow wide] free meyâtsâʼ [bring me out, rescue me, save me] from my distressmᵉtsûwqâh [trouble, anguish, tight spot]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| צָר֣וֹת | [the] troubles of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| לְבָבִ֣י | heart my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| הִרְחִ֑יבוּ | they have made wide | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person common plural |
| מִ֝מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗י | from distresses my | Preposition, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| הוֹצִיאֵֽנִי׃ | deliver me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress. |
| KJV | The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. |
| ASV | The troubles of my heart are enlarged: Oh bring thou me out of my distresses. |
| YLT | The distresses of my heart have enlarged themselves, From my distresses bring me out. |
| WEB | The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses. |
| BBE | The troubles of my heart are increased: O take me out of my sorrows. |
Translations agree on the terminology used for the psalmist's emotional state, with no significant variations noted.
The structure presents a clear main clause followed by a plea, emphasizing the psalmist's emotional state and his request for help.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָחַב
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 25:17
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 Plea for Helpgenerated
Psalms 25:17 reveals the psalmist's deep emotional state as he faces increasing troubles. He acknowledges his distress and calls upon God for deliverance. This verse is part of a larger psalm where the writer seeks God's grace and mercy amidst affliction, similar to themes found in other psalms like Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 38:1-8.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. |
| 2 | Psalm 38:1–8 | O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath. |
| 3 | Psalm 42:7 | Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me. |
| 4 | Psalm 77:2–4 | In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. |
| 5 | Habakkuk 3:17–19 | Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צָרָה, tza.Rotgenerated
The noun צָרָה (*tsarah*) is derived from a root that conveys the idea of tightness or trouble. It is used to describe a variety of adversities, including emotional distress and physical affliction. The plural form here indicates multiple troubles affecting the psalmist's heart.
In this context, צָרָה reflects the psalmist's anguish and the overwhelming nature of his troubles, emphasizing the depth of his emotional turmoil.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses troubles and distress.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הִרְחִ֑יבוּ (*hirchivu*) governs the structure of the verse, indicating the psalmist's troubles are growing. The sentence is built around the subject (the troubles of the heart) and includes a plea for deliverance, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
The word order emphasizes the troubles first, drawing attention to the psalmist's heart before presenting the plea for rescue.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צָרָה as θλίψεις (*thlipsis*), which also means troubles or afflictions. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may carry a slightly broader connotation of pressure or oppression.
The Greek term emphasizes the weight of the psalmist's emotional state, resonating with the original Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 25:17 expresses the psalmist's increasing troubles and his plea for God to rescue him from his distress. This verse highlights the emotional struggles faced and the desire for divine intervention.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to the emotional pain and distress he is experiencing, indicating a deep sense of anguish.
He seeks relief from his overwhelming troubles, expressing a need for God's help and rescue.
Similar themes of distress and seeking God's assistance are found in other psalms, such as Psalm 34:19 and Psalm 38:1-8.
The psalmist's plea illustrates the importance of turning to God in times of trouble and seeking His deliverance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some personal troubles that I can bring to God in prayer?
- How can I find comfort in God's promises during times of distress?
- In what ways can I support others who are experiencing emotional pain?
- What does it mean for me to seek God's rescue in my life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting how the tribulations of the heart multiply due to iniquity and the coldness of love.
"The tribulations of my heart have been multiplied" [Psalms 25:17]. The tribulations of my heart have been multiplied by the abounding of iniquity and the waxing cold of love.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 25 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 25:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe troubles of my heart are enlarged,.... His enemies being increased, which troubled him; the floods of ungodly men made him afraid; the waters of affliction were come into his soul, and spread
Read John Gill on Psalms 25 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. The troubles of my heart.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 25 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe troubles of my heart; my outward troubles are accompanied with grievous torments of my mind and heart for my sins, which have procured them, and thy great displeasure manifested in them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 25 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: [O] bring thou me out of my distresses.Ver. 17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged] Whereby my heart is sorely straitened, so that I can hardly breathe: Oh, "hide not thine ear at my breathing," at my cry, Lamentations 3:56. En patet in curas area lata meas; all afflictions enter into mine heart, as by a wide gate (R. Obad.). Cor vix capax tribulationum mearum (Vat.). Out of my distresses] Wherewith I am pent up and pinched; as afterwards Paul was pricked with the messenger of Satan.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 25 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(17) The troubles.—The consensus of commentators is for a different division of the Hebrew words. . . . “Relieve my sore heart, And release me from my distress.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 25 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 17. The troubles of may heart are enlarged] The evils of our captive state, instead of lessening, seem to multiply, and each to be extended.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 25 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges17. The verb rendered are enlarged cannot mean ‘augmented.’ It is all but certain that the consonants should be divided and vocalised differently, giving the appropriate sense, The straitnesses of my heart enlarge thou, and bring me &c.: i.e. relieve my distress. Cp. Psalms 18:36; Psalms 119:32.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 25 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe troubles of my heart - The sorrows which spring upon the heart - particularly from the recollections of sin. Are enlarged - Have become great. They increased the more he reflected on the sins of his life.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 25 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged. Oh bring me out of my distresses.
The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress.
Deliver me from my distress; rescue me from my suffering!
Tyndale line
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: Oh bring thou me out of my distresses.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
The sorowes of mine heart are enlarged: drawe me out of my troubles.
Strictly literal
The troubles of my heart are increased: bring me out of my distresses;
The distresses of my heart have enlarged themselves, From my distresses bring me out.
The distresses of my heart have enlarged themselves, || Bring me out from my distresses.
The distresses of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my afflictions.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged; draw me out from my distress!
Simplified
My problems get bigger and bigger. Please save me from all I'm going through.
The troubles of my heart are increased: O take me out of my sorrows.
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 and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all five words matched. The Septuagint's translation reflects the same concepts of trouble and distress as found in the Hebrew text.
צָר֣וֹת לְבָבִ֣י הִרְחִ֑יבוּ מִ֝מְּצֽוּקוֹתַ֗י הוֹצִיאֵֽנִי׃
5 of the 5 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.
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 25:17
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.
The Hebrew word צָרָה (*tsarah*) is built from the root meaning tightness or trouble. It covers a range of meanings including dearth, distress, and adversary, as well as specifically referring to a rival wife. The entries note its use in contexts of adversity and anguish, with a specific reference to 1 Samuel 1:6.
בַּצָּרָה n.f. dearth, destitution
base
צָרָה 72 n.f. id. [r.dz.ac] straits, distress
base
[צָרָה] n.f. vexer, rival-wife;—sf. 1 S 1:6.
ref
H6869a בַּצָּרָה dearth, destitution H6869b צָרָה id. [6862b] H6869c צָרָה vexer, rival-wife
6869 tsarah tsaw-raw'
feminine of 6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble);
transitively, a female rival:--adversary, adversity,
affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06862
בַּצָּרָה (bats.tsa.rah) — dearth.
death, destitution
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — distress.
straits, distress, trouble
צָרָה (tsa.rah) — vexer.
vexer, rival wife
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.
לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the seas
usu. of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific ref. to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
spec. ref. to moral character
= the man himself
spec. as seat of appetites
spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas
. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific ref. to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. spec. ref. to moral character
. = the man himself
. spec. as seat of appetites
. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
. seat of courage
3824 lebab lay-bawb'
from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also
like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,
courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X
unawares, understanding.
see HEBREW for 03823
see HEBREW for 03820
לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.
1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding
1a) inner part, midst
1a1) midst (of things)
1a2) heart (of man)
1a3) soul, heart (of man)
1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory
1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will)
1a6) conscience
1a7) heart (of moral character)
1a8) as seat of appetites
1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
רָחַב (rachab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be or grow wide or large. It encompasses various forms, including being widened or enlarged (Qal), describing broad or roomy pastures (Niphal), and the act of making something large or enlarging it (Hiphil). The entries collectively emphasize both literal and figurative uses of the term.
רָחַב [? also רָחֹב] vb. be or grow, wide, large
Qal be widened, enlarged
Niph. broad, roomy, pasture.
Hiph.
make large
enlarge
base
H7337 רָחַב [? also רָחֹב] be or grow, wide, large
7337 rachab raw-khab'
a primitive root; to broaden (intransitive or transitive,
literal or figurative):--be an en-(make) large(-ing), make
room, make (open) wide.
רָחַב (ra.chav) — to enlarge.
1) to be or grow wide, be or grow large
1a) (Qal) to be widened, be enlarged
1b) (Niphal) broad or roomy pasture (participle)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to make large
1c2) to enlarge
V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common pluralHVhp3cp
מְצוּקָה (metsuqah) is a feminine noun meaning narrowness or distress. It encompasses concepts of trouble, anguish, and stress. The word is derived from a related term, מְצוּק (metsuq), which suggests a sense of being confined or restricted.
מְצוּקָה n.f. id. [r.bh.ae]
base
H4691 מְצוּקָה, מְצֻקָה
4691 mtsuwqah mets-oo-kaw'
or mtsuqah {mets-oo-kaw'}; feminine of 4690; narrowness, i.e.
(figuratively) trouble:--anguish, distress.
see HEBREW for 04690
מְצוּקָה (me.tsu.qah) — distress.
straitness, distress, straits, stress
Prep | N-fp | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncfpc/Sp1bs
יָצָא (yatsa') is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with various applications including departure, escape, and emergence. It can refer to both animate and inanimate subjects and emphasizes the idea of origin or source. The verb appears in different forms, such as Qal, Hiphil, and Hophal, indicating actions like leading out or being brought forth.
יָצָא 1068 vb. go or come out
Qal
go or come out or forth
from (מִן) a place
go forth from (the presence of) a person
in technical senses
of flight, involving escape
depart
of inanimate things
with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
of children as going forth from loins (of father)
go forth to a place
go forward, proceed to or toward something
come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
of combinations
Hiph.
cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
bring out animals
inanimate obj.
fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
Hoph. be brought forth
base
H3318 יָצָא go or come out .. go or come out or forth . from (מִן) a place
. go forth from (the presence of) a person
. in technical senses
. of flight, involving escape
. depart
. of inanimate things
. with especial emphasis on idea of origin, source
. of children as going forth from loins (of father)
. . go forth to a place
. go forward, proceed to or toward something
. come or go forth, with esp. ref. to purpose or result
. of combinations
. . cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
. fig. obj. persons, bring out of (מִן) distress, etc.
. bring out animals
. inanimate obj.
. fig. subj. י׳, bring forth from (מִן)
. be brought forth
3318 yatsa' yaw-tsaw'
a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great
variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct
and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X
begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come
(abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned,
depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact,
fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence,
out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out),
going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out,
lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X
scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring
out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any
time, X to (and fro), utter.
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: come.
: come/go_out/escape
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
יָצָא (ya.tsa) — to come out: send.
: send/take_out/release
1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart
1a2) to go forth (to a place)
1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something)
1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result)
1a5) to come out of
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out
1b2) to bring out of
1b3) to lead out
1b4) to deliver
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs