Psalms 94:12

Authorized King James Version

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Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Original Language Analysis

אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ Blessed H835
אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ Blessed
Strong's: H835
Word #: 1 of 7
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
הַגֶּ֣בֶר is the man H1397
הַגֶּ֣בֶר is the man
Strong's: H1397
Word #: 2 of 7
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 7
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תְּיַסְּרֶ֣נּוּ whom thou chastenest H3256
תְּיַסְּרֶ֣נּוּ whom thou chastenest
Strong's: H3256
Word #: 4 of 7
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
יָּ֑הּ O LORD H3050
יָּ֑הּ O LORD
Strong's: H3050
Word #: 5 of 7
jah, the sacred name
וּֽמִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ him out of thy law H8451
וּֽמִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ him out of thy law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 6 of 7
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
תְלַמְּדֶֽנּוּ׃ and teachest H3925
תְלַמְּדֶֽנּוּ׃ and teachest
Strong's: H3925
Word #: 7 of 7
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

Analysis & Commentary

The psalm declares blessing: "Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law" (Hebrew ash-rey ha-gever asher t-yass-rennu Yah u-mi-tor-atkha t-lamm-dennu). Divine chastening is called "blessed"—counterintuitive. "Chastenest" (Hebrew yasar) indicates corrective discipline, not vindictive punishment. "Teachest" pairs with chastening—discipline instructs. "Out of thy law" means correction aligns with Scripture. The verse reframes suffering: God's discipline demonstrates love, not rejection.

Historical Context

Hebrews 12:5-11 quotes and expands this, teaching that God disciplines sons, not bastards. Proverbs 3:11-12 similarly links discipline with love. Ancient Near Eastern fathers disciplined sons to shape character. Modern permissiveness views all discipline as harmful, but Scripture sees loving correction as essential. God's chastening proves relationship, not absence of love. Christ learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8).

Questions for Reflection

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