Psalms 33:5

Authorized King James Version

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֹ֭הֵב
He loveth
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
#2
צְדָקָ֣ה
righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#3
וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט
and judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#4
חֶ֥סֶד
of the goodness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#5
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
מָלְאָ֥ה
is full
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
#7
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to Psalms. The concept of love reflects the development of divine love within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show patron-client relationships and family loyalty concepts, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection