What Does Psalm 25:14 Mean?
The intimate circle of the LORD is with those in awe of him, and he makes his covenant known to them.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.THE KEY
The LORD’s “secret” is not merely a hidden answer but close counsel shared with those who stand in awe of him.
THE MEANING
The verse places you in a relationship where the LORD’s counsel is shared with those who hold him in awe. What is called a “secret” is intimate counsel, and the covenant is made known, not kept as distant information. Belonging includes being brought into understanding.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that reverence keeps you outside, receiving only rules and commands, gives way here: the verse describes awe as the setting for shared counsel and covenant knowledge.
THE ROOT
סוֹד
sod
GROWS FROM
סוד
Close counsel shared within a confidential circle.
“intimate circle” in this verse is sod. The Hebrew word can carry both the counsel itself and the intimacy of being included in it. The LORD’s “secret” is therefore shared closeness: the verse places the reader within the circle of counsel, where the covenant is made known.
ALSO GROWS
sod: Confidential counsel or intimate deliberation.
סוֹד
This sense opens “secret” into shared counsel rather than a fact kept out of reach.
sod: The confidential company admitted to private counsel.
סוֹד
This sense emphasizes the relationship in which the LORD’s counsel is shared.
יָרֵא
yare
GROWS FROM
ירא
To regard with awe or fear in the presence of what is formidable.
“in awe of him” in this verse is yare. The verse’s “fear” can be heard as awe toward the LORD: a response to who he is, rather than simple terror. That awe is paired here with closeness and disclosure.
ALSO GROWS
yir’ah: Awe, reverence, or fear.
יִרְאָה
This noun makes visible the posture named by “them that fear him.”
nora: Formidable, awe-inspiring, or fearsome.
נוֹרָא
This related form points to the quality that evokes awe before the LORD.
הוֹדִיעָם
hodi’am
GROWS FROM
ידע
To know or perceive through encounter.
“makes his covenant known” in this verse is hodi’am. The word translated “shew” comes from the root for knowing: the LORD brings them to know the covenant. The verse describes disclosure that becomes understanding, not merely something displayed from a distance.
ALSO GROWS
yada: To know or perceive.
יָדַע
This root supplies the sense behind the LORD making the covenant known.
da’at: Knowledge or understanding.
דַּעַת
This noun shows the knowing that the LORD’s disclosure brings into view.
THE PATTERN
Close relationship opens divine counsel and turns what is hidden into shared knowledge.
For the crooked one is a loathing to the LORD, but his intimate circle is with the straight ones.For the Lord GOD does nothing, unless he uncovers his secret to his servants the prophets.No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for all that I heard from my Father I have shown you.THE THREAD
For the Lord GOD does nothing, unless he uncovers his secret to his servants the prophets.Amos uses the same Hebrew word סוֹד (sod, confidential counsel) that Psalm 25:14 calls the LORD’s “secret.” The shared word opens “secret” into intimate counsel made known to those who are near to God.
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