Psalms 53:6

Authorized King James Version

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִ֥י

H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יִתֵּ֣ן

H5414

Oh that

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מִצִּיּוֹן֮

H6726

were come out of Zion

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

יְשֻׁע֪וֹת

H3444

the salvation

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

and Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּשׁ֣וּב

H7725

bringeth back

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֱ֭לֹהִים

H430

When God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

שְׁב֣וּת

H7622

the captivity

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

עַמּ֑וֹ

H5971

of his people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#10

יָגֵ֥ל

H1523

shall rejoice

properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear

#11

יַ֝עֲקֹ֗ב

H3290

Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

#12

יִשְׂמַ֥ח

H8055

shall be glad

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

#13

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

and Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of salvation reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. 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 soteria in Greek or yeshua in Hebrew, indicating deliverance and wholeness, 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 worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show rescue narratives from ancient literature that would resonate with the audience, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding worship and praise as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on salvation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?