What Does Psalm 5:4 Mean in the King James?
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
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 word translated “dwell” can mean “sojourn”: evil finds no lodging with God, not even as a passing guest.
THE MEANING
God does not delight in wickedness, and evil does not find a home in God’s presence. The verse speaks now of a God whose desire and presence are not at home with evil.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that God is indifferent to wickedness or welcomes it into his presence.
THE ROOT
יְגוּרְךָ
yegurkha
GROWS FROM
גור
To sojourn or reside as a stranger.
The verb translated “dwell” comes from the same root as גֵּר (ger), a sojourner or resident stranger. The verse says evil cannot even sojourn with God: it has no lodging in his presence.
ALSO GROWS
ger: A sojourner or resident stranger.
גֵּר
This branch makes the verb’s sense of staying as a sojourner visible: evil has no place with God, even as a guest.
megurim: Sojournings or places of residence.
מְגוּרִים
This related form shows the root can name a place of dwelling, sharpening the verse’s image of where evil can and cannot reside.
חָפֵץ
chafets
GROWS FROM
חפץ
To desire or take delight in.
“pleasure” in this verse is chafets. The verse speaks of God’s desire, not only of what he permits nearby. Its paired images, what God delights in and what can dwell with him, show that evil is neither his desire nor a presence at home with him.
ALSO GROWS
chephets: Desire, delight, or something desired.
חֵפֶץ
The noun carries the same root from the verb “takes pleasure,” tying pleasure to what is desired.
chafatsim: Desires or desired things.
חֲפָצִים
This plural form keeps the root’s sense of desire concrete: the verse describes what God does not want or delight in.
THE PATTERN
God’s presence and delight are not at home with evil.
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.THE THREAD
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?The question “who shall abide” uses the same Hebrew root גור, “sojourn,” as “dwell” in Psalm 5:4. Psalm 5 says evil cannot sojourn with God; Psalm 15 asks who can sojourn in his dwelling.
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