Psalms 118:25
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Original Language Analysis
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה
Save
H3467
הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה
Save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
נָּ֑א
H4994
נָּ֑א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 8
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 90:17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.Psalms 20:9Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.Psalms 69:13But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.Psalms 22:21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.Psalms 69:1Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Historical Context
Psalm 118 was sung during Passover and Tabernacles. The phrase "Hoshi'ah na" gave rise to the Hosanna liturgy, where pilgrims processing to the temple would wave palm branches and cry out for salvation. Jesus's triumphal entry deliberately fulfilled this imagery, claiming messianic identity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding "Hosanna" as a prayer ("Save now!") rather than mere praise transform Palm Sunday?
- What does it mean to pray for both salvation (rescue) and prosperity (flourishing) together?
- How does Jesus fulfill the ultimate meaning of this verse as the one who saves and brings abundant life?
Analysis & Commentary
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD (אָנָּא יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא, anna YHWH hoshi'ah na)—Anna means please, I pray; yasha means save, deliver. O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity (אָנָּא יְהוָה הַצְלִיחָה נָּא, anna YHWH hatzlichah na)—Tzalach means prosper, succeed, make prosperous.
"Hoshi'ah na" became "Hosanna" in Greek/English. The crowds shouted this when Jesus entered Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9-10), recognizing him as the Davidic king who brings salvation. Psalm 118 is messianic throughout, quoted more in the NT than any other psalm except Psalm 110. The double petition (save/prosper) reflects liturgical usage—probably a antiphonal responsive reading during temple festivals.