Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 28th, 2024
the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Injustice;   Oppression;   Poor;   Rulers;   Thompson Chain Reference - God's;   Kindness-Cruelty;   Oppression;   Poor, the;   Promises, Divine;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Injustice;   Poor, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Poor;   Sheminith;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Poor, Orphan, Widow;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - English Versions;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Judges (1);   Psalms;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Magnificat;   Salvation Save Saviour;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Musician;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Psalms the book of;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ferret;   Groan;   Joy;   Music;   Oppression;   Poor;   Psalms, Book of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Abba;   Ḳiddush Ha-Shem;   Simeon B. Yannai;  

Parallel Translations

New Living Translation
The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do."
English Revised Version
For the spoiling of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety at whom they puff.
Update Bible Version
Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise, says Yahweh; I will set him in the safety he pants for.
New Century Version
But the Lord says, "I will now rise up, because the poor are being hurt. Because of the moans of the helpless, I will give them the help they want."
New English Translation
"Because of the violence done to the oppressed, because of the painful cries of the needy, I will spring into action," says the Lord . "I will provide the safety they so desperately desire."
Webster's Bible Translation
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him.
World English Bible
"Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him."
Amplified Bible
"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
English Standard Version
"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord ; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For the wretchednesse of nedy men, and for the weilyng of pore men; now Y schal ryse vp, seith the Lord. I schal sette inhelt he; Y schal do tristili in hym.
Berean Standard Bible
"For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will bring safety to him who yearns."
Contemporary English Version
But you, Lord , tell them, "I will do something! The poor are mistreated and helpless people moan. I'll rescue all who suffer."
American Standard Version
Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; I will set him in the safety he panteth for.
Bible in Basic English
Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.
Complete Jewish Bible
those who say, "By our tongues, we will prevail; our lips are with us. Who can master us?"
Darby Translation
Because of the oppression of the afflicted, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith Jehovah, I will set [him] in safety, at whom they puff.
Easy-to-Read Version
They took advantage of the poor and stole what little they had. But the Lord knows what they did, and he says, "I will rescue those who are poor and helpless, and I will punish those who hurt them."
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Who have said: 'Our tongue will we make mighty; our lips are with us: who is lord over us?'
King James Version (1611)
For the oppression of the poore, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise (saith the Lord,) I will set him in safetie from him that puffeth at him.
New Life Bible
"Because of the suffering of the weak, and because of the cries of the poor, I will now rise up," says the Lord. "I will keep him safe as he has wanted to be."
New Revised Standard
"Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up," says the Lord ; "I will place them in the safety for which they long."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Now for the oppression of the needy, and for the sighes of the poore, I will vp, sayeth the Lord, and will set at libertie him, whom the wicked hath snared.
George Lamsa Translation
Because of the oppression of the poor and the groans of the needy, now will I arise, says the LORD; and I will bring salvation openly.
Good News Translation
"But now I will come," says the Lord , "because the needy are oppressed and the persecuted groan in pain. I will give them the security they long for."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Because of violence done to the poor, because of the crying of the needy, Now, will I arise! O may Yahweh say, - I will place him in safety - let him puff at him!
Douay-Rheims Bible
(11-6) By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I will set him in safety: I will deal confidently in his regard.
Revised Standard Version
"Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs."
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For the calamities of the oppressed, for the deepe sighyng of the poore, I wyll nowe vp sayeth God: and I wyll put in safetie, [hym] whom the [wicked] hath snared.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Because of the misery of the poor, and because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord, I will set them in safety; I will speak to them thereof openly.
Christian Standard Bible®
“Because of the devastation of the needyand the groaning of the poor,I will now rise up,” says the Lord.“I will provide safety for the one who longs for it.”
Hebrew Names Version
"Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him."
Lexham English Bible
"Because of the oppression of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the poor, now I will rise up," Yahweh says. "I shall put them in the safety for which they long."
Literal Translation
For the pain of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, I will now rise up, says Jehovah; I will set in safety; he pants for it.
Young's Literal Translation
Because of the spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now do I arise, saith Jehovah, I set in safety [him who] doth breathe for it.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Now for the troubles sake off the oppressed, & because of the complaynte of the poore, I wil vp (sayeth the LORDE) I wil helpe the, and set the at rest.
THE MESSAGE
Into the hovels of the poor, Into the dark streets where the homeless groan, God speaks: "I've had enough; I'm on my way To heal the ache in the heart of the wretched."
New American Standard Bible
"Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will put him in the safety for which he longs."
New King James Version
"For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he yearns."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the Lord ; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."
Legacy Standard Bible
"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy,Now I will arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs."

Contextual Overview

1 Help, Lord ; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord ; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord , thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

oppression: Psalms 10:12, Psalms 74:21, Psalms 74:22, Psalms 79:10, Psalms 79:11, Psalms 146:7, Psalms 146:8, Exodus 2:23, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 3:7-9, Judges 10:16, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 22:23, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Isaiah 19:20, Ezekiel 18:12, Ezekiel 18:13, Ezekiel 18:18, James 5:4

now: Isaiah 33:10, Micah 7:8, Micah 7:9

puffeth at: or, would ensnare, Psalms 10:5, Job 5:15, Job 5:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:12 - I have seen Exodus 2:5 - when she Exodus 3:8 - I am Exodus 3:9 - and I have Exodus 6:1 - Now shalt Judges 2:18 - their groanings 2 Samuel 22:28 - afflicted Job 20:19 - Because Job 24:12 - groan Job 27:13 - the heritage Job 34:28 - they Job 35:9 - they make Psalms 3:7 - Arise Psalms 7:6 - Arise Psalms 9:18 - For the Psalms 10:9 - when Psalms 44:23 - Awake Psalms 55:3 - oppression Psalms 59:1 - defend me Psalms 72:2 - thy poor Psalms 73:8 - speak wickedly Psalms 102:1 - overwhelmed Psalms 103:6 - executeth Proverbs 22:16 - that oppresseth Proverbs 23:11 - General Proverbs 30:14 - to devour Isaiah 3:13 - standeth up Isaiah 21:2 - all the Isaiah 25:4 - thou hast Isaiah 29:19 - the poor Isaiah 31:2 - arise Jeremiah 30:17 - they Jeremiah 51:35 - The violence Lamentations 3:35 - turn Amos 4:1 - which oppress Amos 8:4 - swallow Zephaniah 3:8 - rise James 2:6 - Do

Cross-References

Genesis 10:19
And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
Genesis 11:31
And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Genesis 12:8
And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord , and called upon the name of the Lord .
Genesis 12:9
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
Genesis 14:21
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Acts 7:4
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For the oppression of the poor,.... The servants and people of God, who, for the most part, are poor in a temporal sense, and are all of them, and always, so in a spiritual sense, standing continually in need of fresh supplies of grace; and being often afflicted, as the word signifies, are mean and despicable in the eyes of the men of this world, and so oppressed by them, as the poor generally are by the rich; and as the people of Israel were oppressed by the Egyptians, so are the people of God by antichrist, and by his tyrannical laws and edicts, and by such haughty and insolent persons as before described;

for the sighing of the needy; who groan under their oppressions; being stripped of all good things, their friends, and worldly substance, they sigh inwardly, and cry unto the Lord, who sees their oppressions, hears their groans; and though he cannot be moved, as men are, by anything without himself, yet, according to his abundant mercy and sovereign will, he appears and exerts himself on the behalf of his people, and for their relief and assistance;

now will I arise, saith the Lord; to have mercy on the poor and needy, and to avenge them on their oppressors, and free them from them. And this the Lord promises to do "now", speedily, immediately; God arises in the most seasonable time, when his people are in the greatest straits, and in the utmost distress and herein displays his wisdom, power, and goodness. This is an answer to the petition of the psalmist in Psalms 12:1;

I will set [him] in safety [from him that] puffeth at him; or "in salvation" i; in Christ the Saviour. All God's people are put into the hands of Christ, and are preserved in him; there they are in safety, for out of his hands none can pluck them; and being built on him, the Rock, they are safe, notwithstanding the waves and winds of temptation, persecution, c. come with ever so much force upon them. Here it seems to signify, that God would deliver his poor and needy from their oppressions, and put them into a comfortable, prosperous, safe, and happy situation, in which they will be out of the reach of their enemies as will be the witnesses, when they shall ascend to heaven, Revelation 11:11; even out of the reach of him that "puffeth at" them, despises them, and treats them with the utmost scorn and contempt; see Psalms 10:5. Or that "breathes", or "let him breathe" k threatenings and slaughters; as Saul did against the disciples of Christ, Acts 9:1; or that "lays snares for him" l, as the wicked do for the righteous; or that "speaks unto him" in such haughty and insolent language as before expressed. Some make this clause a proposition of itself, "he puffeth at him"; meaning either that he that is secure, safety puffs at his enemy, despises him, as he has been despised by him; or God, who breathes upon him, and whose breath is as a stream of brimstone, which kindles in him a fire of divine wrath, which is unquenchable; or else the sense is, God will "speak to himself", or "to him" m; in which sense the word is used Habakkuk 2:4; that is, good and comfortable words to the poor; or "he will give him refreshment", or "rest": which he will determine in himself to speak to him: or "he shall have breathing", or "let him breathe" n: he shall have times of refreshing from the Lord, and rest from adversity, from the oppositions and persecutions of his enemies.

i בישע "in salute", Pagninus, Montanus, Mariana, Vatablus, Junius, Tremeliius, Piscator so Ainsworth. k יפיח לו "spiret vel spirabit sibi", De Dieu. l "Qui ponit ei laqueum", Munster; "qui laqueum injicit illis", Heb. "illi", Muis; so Kimchi. m "Loquetur sibi vel ei", Vatablus. n "Respirationem dabit illi", Cloppenburgius; so Ainsworth, and some in Michaelis.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For the oppression of the poor - That is, on account of the wrong done to the poor in the manner specified above - by the abuse of the power of speech. On account of the slanders uttered against them, or the frauds perpetrated on them by the abuse of this power. The reference is to the wrongs done when no confidence could be placed in men’s words; when they uttered words of “vanity” and “flattery” Psalms 12:2; when promises were made only to be broken, and obligations assumed never to be fulfilled. In such a state of things the “poor” were the most likely to suffer. In performing service for others - in daily labor on a farm or in a mechanical employment - they would depend for support, on the promises made by their employers; and when their pay was withheld, they and their families must suffer. Compare James 5:4. Rich men, having other resources, would not thus suffer; but the poor must always suffer when there is in the community a disregard of the obligation of promises. In like manner, the poor would be most likely to “be taken in by the acts of unprincipled men, and to be deceived in their small dealings with them. Other classes of the community would be on their guard; but the poor, unacquainted with the arts of cunning men, are always liable - though on a small scale, yet of importance to them - to be wronged by the false statements and promises of those against whom they can have no redress.

For the sighing of the needy ... - The word “needy” here is synonymous with “poor.” It refers to those in humble circumstances, who were especially liable to be wronged by deceitful statements and promises.

I will set him in safety - I will make him safe. I will save him from the evils which they thought to bring upon him. The general idea is, that God is the vindicator of the poor and the oppressed.

From him that puffeth at him - Prof. Alexander renders this, “I will place in safety him that shall pant for it.” Gesenius renders it, “whom they puffed at; that is, the oppressed.” The language in the original is difficult. It may mean either “he pants for it,” or “he puffs at him;” and the meaning can only be determined by the connection. That would rather seem to be what is indicated in our common version; to wit, that the persons referred to as oppressing the poor and needy, “puffed” at them; that is, they looked upon them with contempt, and felt that with a puff of their breath they could blow them away. They regarded them as insignificant and worthless. By this construction, also, the connection with the main statement will be best preserved - that the injury referred to in the psalm was done by “words,” by the breath of the mouth - thus indicating that by a “word” or a “breath” they could destroy them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 12:5. For the oppression of the poor — This seems to refer best to the tribulations which the poor Israelites suffered while captives in Babylon. The Lord represents himself as looking on and seeing their affliction; and, hearing their cry, he determines to come forward to their help.

Now will I arise — I alone delivered them into the hands of their enemies, because of their transgressions; I alone can and will deliver them from the hands of their enemies; and the manner of their deliverance shall show the power and influence of their God.

From him that puffeth at him. — Here is much interpolation to make out a sense. Several of the versions read, "I will give him an open salvation." My work shall be manifest.


 
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