Psalms 37:39 — Word Study
WLCוּתְשׁוּעַ֣ת צַ֭דִּיקִים מֵיְהוָ֑ה מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם בְּעֵ֣ת צָרָֽה׃
BSAThe salvationtᵉshûwʻâh [deliverance, rescue] of the righteoustsaddîyq [upright, just] [is] from the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] [He is] their strongholdmâʻôwz [security, fortified place] in timeʻêth [season, occasion] of troubletsârâh [distress, adversity]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּתְשׁוּעַ֣ת | and [the] salvation of | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| צַ֭דִּיקִים | righteous [people] | Adj |
| מֵיְהוָ֑ה | [is] from Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם | place of refuge their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּעֵ֣ת | in a time of | Preposition, noun common both singular construct |
| צָרָֽה׃ | trouble | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. |
| KJV | But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. |
| ASV | But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah: He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. |
| YLT | And the salvation of the righteous [is] from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity. |
| WEB | But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. |
| BBE | But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble. |
Where they part company is מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the core assertion, with additional phrases providing context about the source of salvation and the timing of trouble.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 37:39
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 — The Assurance of the Righteousgenerated
Psalms 37:39 emphasizes the protection and deliverance that God provides to the righteous. The psalm contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, assuring believers of divine support in times of distress. This theme resonates throughout the Psalms, where trust in God is often highlighted as a source of strength and refuge, as seen in Psalm 9:9 and Isaiah 12:2.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the LORD; may Your blessing be on Your people. Selah |
| 2 | Isaiah 12:2 | Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.” |
| 3 | Jonah 2:9 | But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!” |
| 4 | Ephesians 2:8 | For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, |
| 5 | Psalm 9:9 | The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תְּשׁוּעָה, u.te.shu.'Atgenerated
The word תְּשׁוּעָה (tshuw`ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'salvation' or 'deliverance'. It conveys the idea of rescue, often in a context of divine intervention. This term appears frequently in the Psalms, highlighting God's role as a savior and protector.
As a construct noun, it connects directly to the righteous, indicating that their salvation comes specifically from the LORD. This underscores the personal and communal aspects of divine deliverance, where God actively rescues His people.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree that the righteous receive their salvation from the LORD, with the BSB using salvation, while the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE also employ similar terms without significant variation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the verb מֵיְהוָ֑ה, is from Yahweh, establishing the source of salvation. The structure highlights the relationship between the subject, the righteous, and their divine protector.
The sentence flows from the subject צַ֭דִּיקִים (the righteous) to the predicate, illustrating how their salvation and stronghold are firmly rooted in God's provision during times of trouble.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תְּשׁוּעָה as σωτηρία (sōtēria), which means 'salvation' and carries a similar connotation of deliverance. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but also reflects the Greek understanding of salvation as a broader concept of rescue.
The term κυρίου (kyriou) is used for the LORD, emphasizing His authority and role as the protector of the righteous.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 37:39 tells us that the salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD, who acts as their stronghold during times of trouble. This verse reassures believers that God is their protector and deliverer in distress.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God is the source of rescue and deliverance for those who live righteously, providing them with safety and support.
God serves as a stronghold by offering protection and security during difficult times, ensuring that the righteous can find refuge in Him.
The troubles referred to can include personal distress, adversity from others, or any challenging circumstances that threaten their well-being.
Understanding God as a deliverer helps believers trust in His provision and care during challenging times, reinforcing their faith in His promises.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's deliverance in my own life?
- How can I better rely on God as my stronghold during times of trouble?
- What does it mean to live righteously in my daily life?
- How can I encourage others to trust in God's salvation and protection?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referred to this verse to highlight God's eternal nature and protective role. Their quotations reflect on trusting in God during adversity.
To God alone, who remains forever, I entrust; to God alone who can forgive sins, I entrust my salvation. He will be my protector in time of trouble and will help and deliver me.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
"But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord, and He is their strength in the time of trouble" [Psalms 37:39].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 37 →
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 37:39 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut the salvation of the righteous [is] of the Lord,.... Both their temporal, spiritual, and eternal salvation; particularly the latter, which is originally of the Lord, and springs from the
Read John Gill on Psalms 37 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. The Hebrew copula [wª-] before the last letter of the alphabet connects this strophe with all that precedes, as its summary.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 37 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; and therefore it shall certainly come to them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 37 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.Ver. 39. But the salvation of the righteous, &c.] Etenim ut paucis omnia complectar, their salvation, temporal and eternal, is of the Lord; so is also the destruction of the wicked, as is here necessarily implied. He is their strength, &c.] That they faint not, sink not under the heaviest burden of their light afflictions, which are but for a moment.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 37 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 39. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord] It is the Lord who made them righteous, by blotting out their sins, and infusing his Holy Spirit into their hearts; and it is by his grace they are continually sustained, and finally brought to the kingdom of glory: "He is their strength in the time of trouble."
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 37 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBut the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord - Or, salvation comes to the righteous from the Lord. While the wicked are cut off, the righteous shall be safe.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 37 →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 salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble.
Tyndale line
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah: He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strong hold in the time of trouble.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
But the saluation of the righteous men shalbe of the Lord: he shalbe their strength in the time of trouble.
Strictly literal
But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the salvation of the righteous [is] from Jehovah, Their strong place in a time of adversity.
And the salvation of the righteous [is] from YHWH, || Their strong place in a time of adversity.
And the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord: he is their strong-hold in the time of distress.
Salvation of the righteous comes from Yahweh; he protects them in the times of trouble.
Simplified
The Lord saves those who live right; he is their protection in times of trouble.
But the Lord is the saviour of the upright: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
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 largely agree in their wording for Psalm 37:39. However, the Septuagint presents a different word order and may reflect slight interpretative differences in the translation process.
וּתְשׁוּעַ֣ת צַ֭דִּיקִים מֵיְהוָ֑ה מָֽ֝עוּזָּ֗ם בְּעֵ֣ת צָרָֽה׃
5 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.
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 37:39
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.
תְּשׁוּעָה (tshuw`ah) refers to concepts of rescue, deliverance, and salvation, both in a personal and national context. It emphasizes help and safety, often associated with divine intervention. The term is linked to victory as well, indicating a broader range of meanings related to overcoming challenges or enemies.
תְּשׁוּעָה († תְּשֻׁעָה 2 S 19:3) n.f. deliverance, salvation
base
H8668 תְּשׁוּעָה, תְּשֻׁעָה
8668 tshuw`ah tesh-oo-aw'
or tshuah {tesh-oo-aw'}; from 7768 in the sense of 3467;
rescue (literal or figurative, pers., national or spir.):--
deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory.
see HEBREW for 07768
see HEBREW for 03467
תְּשׁוּעָה (te.shu.ah) — deliverance: salvation.
: salvation
1) salvation, deliverance
1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency)
1b) salvation (spiritual in sense)
Also means: te.shu.ah (תְּשׁוּעָה ": victory" H8668H)
תְּשׁוּעָה (te.shu.ah) — deliverance: victory.
: victory
1) salvation, deliverance
1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency)
1b) salvation (spiritual in sense)
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
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…
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
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)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
מָעוֹז (ma`owz) refers to a place or means of safety and protection, often implying a stronghold or refuge. It can denote both a physical fortified place and a figurative sense of security, such as divine protection. The term is built from the root associated with strength and fortification.
מָעוֹז n.m. place or means of safety, protection
base
H4581 מָעוֹז place or means of safety, protection
4581 ma`owz maw-oze'
(also mauwz {maw-ooz'}); or mahoz {maw-oze'} (also ma,uz
{maw-ooz'}; from 5810; a fortified place; figuratively, a
defence:--force, fort(-ress), rock, strength(-en), (X most)
strong (hold).
see HEBREW for 05810
מָעוֹז (ma.oz) — security.
1) place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold
1a) place of safety, fastness, harbour, stronghold
1b) refuge (of God) (fig.)
1c) human protection (fig.)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp
עֵת (eth) means 'time,' covering various aspects such as the time of an event, a usual time, or an appointed time. It can also refer to experiences or occurrences. The entries suggest it can denote both specific and uncertain times, but they do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עֵת 297 n.f. time
time of an event
= usual time
proper, suitable time
appointed time
as uncertain
= experience, fortunes
occurrence, occasion
base
H6256 עֵת time . time of an event
. . = usual time
. proper, suitable time
. appointed time
. as uncertain
. = experience, fortunes
. occurrence, occasion
6256 `eth ayth
from 5703; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now,
when, etc.:--+ after, (al-)ways, X certain, + continually, +
evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-,
noon-)tide, ((meal-)), what) time, when.
see HEBREW for 05703
עֵת (et) — time.
1) time
1a) time (of an event)
1b) time (usual)
1c) experiences, fortunes
1d) occurrence, occasion
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular constructHR/Ncbsc
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…
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-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
→ BORROWING Mt 6:25-34; Mr 5:35,36; Joh 14:1; 16:6,7; Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7
See AFFLICTION
See SUFFERING
→ INSTANCES OF
Israelites at the Red Sea Ex 14:10-12
About water Ex 15:23-25; 17:2,3; Nu 20:1-13
Food Ex 16:2,3; Nu 11:4-33
When Moses waited upon the mountain Ex 32:1