What Does Psalm 149:4 Mean in the King James?
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The LORD’s pleasure becomes visible as deliverance that adorns the meek.
THE MEANING
The verse speaks of the LORD taking pleasure in his people and making the meek splendid through deliverance. Lowliness does not place you beyond that delight; deliverance becomes visible dignity.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie this undoes is that meekness leaves you unseen and dignity must be seized by force. Here, the LORD’s pleasure and deliverance are what adorn the meek.
THE ROOT
יְפָאֵר
yefa’er
GROWS FROM
פאר
To adorn, glorify, or make splendid.
“beautify” in this verse is yefa’er. The verb comes from פאר, a root of adornment and splendor. The meek are not merely spared; deliverance becomes their visible dignity.
ALSO GROWS
tif’eret: Splendor, ornament, or adornment.
תִּפְאֶרֶת
This noun shares the root פאר and shows that “beautify” carries the sense of splendor and dignity as well as adornment.
mefo’ar: Adorned or splendid.
מְפֹאָר
This form shares the same root consonants and describes the state of being made splendid.
יְשׁוּעָה
yeshu’ah
GROWS FROM
ישע
To deliver or rescue; deliverance.
“salvation” in this verse is yeshu’ah. The word is יְשׁוּעָה, deliverance from the root ישע. Here deliverance is not separate from beauty: it is what makes the meek splendid.
ALSO GROWS
yesha: Deliverance or rescue.
יֵשַׁע
This noun shares the root ישע and names the rescue that adorns the meek in this verse.
moshia: Deliverer, one who rescues.
מוֹשִׁיעַ
This word shares the consonants ישע and names the one who brings deliverance.
THE PATTERN
The LORD turns the lowly’s deliverance into visible dignity.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.THE THREAD
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Isaiah uses the same Hebrew root, ישע, in “garments of salvation.” Psalm 149:4 says that this deliverance adorns the meek; Isaiah makes the image tangible as clothing and splendor.
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