Psalms 118:14 — Word Study
WLCעָזִּ֣י וְזִמְרָ֣ת יָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־ לִ֝֗י לִֽישׁוּעָֽה׃
BSAThe LORDYâhh [Jah, the self-existent One] is my strengthʻôz [power, might] and my songzimrâth [praise, joyful music] and He has becomehâyâh▸ [existed as, come to be] salvationyᵉshûwʻâh [deliverance, victory]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עָזִּ֣י | [is] might my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְזִמְרָ֣ת | and strength | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular construct |
| יָ֑הּ | Yahweh | Noun proper masculine |
| וַֽיְהִי־ | and he has become | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לִ֝֗י | of me | Preposition, suffix |
| לִֽישׁוּעָֽה׃ | salvation | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. |
| KJV | The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. |
| ASV | Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation. |
| YLT | My strength and song [is] Jah, And He is to me for salvation. |
| WEB | Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. |
| BBE | The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. |
All translations agree on the meaning of יְשׁוּעָה as salvation.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by a conjunction and a verb phrase, creating a clear and direct statement of faith.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיָהּ
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 118:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Song of Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 118:14 expresses a profound declaration of faith, where the psalmist acknowledges the LORD as both strength and song, celebrating divine deliverance. This verse is situated within a context of praise and gratitude, reflecting on God’s help in times of trouble, as seen in the surrounding verses, particularly Psalm 118:13 and Psalm 118:15.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:2 | The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. |
| 2 | Exodus 15:2–6 | The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. |
| 3 | Isaiah 12:2 | Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 45:17–22 | But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting. |
| 5 | Matthew 1:21–23 | She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְשׁוּעָה, Li.shu.'Ahgenerated
The noun יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) is derived from the root that means to save, encompassing ideas of deliverance, victory, and welfare. It denotes not just physical salvation but also spiritual and emotional rescue, indicating a holistic sense of well-being.
In this verse, it emphasizes the psalmist's experience of being saved or delivered by the LORD, highlighting the personal nature of salvation as it pertains to the speaker's life.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study uses the Berean Standard Bible as the base for comparison.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַֽיְהִי־ (vayhi, and he has become) governs the structure of the verse, with the subject יָ֑הּ (Yah, LORD) preceding it. The verse presents a compound structure where the subject and verb are linked with two noun phrases: עָזִּ֣י (my strength) and וְזִמְרָ֣ת (and my song), both describing the LORD's attributes.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject first, establishing the LORD as the primary focus of strength and joy.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew יְשׁוּעָה is rendered as σωτηρίαν (sōtērian), which also means salvation. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the concept of deliverance across both texts.
The translation choice in the Septuagint maintains the emphasis on the idea of salvation, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 118:14 tells us that the LORD is both the strength and song of the psalmist, indicating a deep sense of reliance on God. The verse emphasizes how the LORD has become the speaker's salvation, reflecting themes of deliverance and joy.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the psalmist finds power and support in God, who provides the ability to face challenges.
The song signifies joy and praise, showing that the psalmist's strength is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual.
Salvation here refers to being delivered from danger or trouble, highlighting God's role as a protector and savior.
Yah is a shortened form of the name for God, emphasizing His personal and intimate relationship with the psalmist.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's strength in my own life?
- How can I express my gratitude to God through song or praise?
- What does salvation mean to me personally?
- How can I rely on God as my strength in difficult times?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, reference this verse to discuss themes of strength and salvation in their writings.
"The Lord is my strength and my praise, and has become my salvation" [Psalms 118:14].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord [is] my strength and song,.... It being in the name of the Lord the enemies of the psalmist were destroyed; and having obtained help of him when sore thrust at, he gives him all the glory,
Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. -At the beginning (Psalms 118:5) and at the close of this division (Psalms 118:13-14) the salvation already received is described.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMy strength and song; the author of my strength, and therefore the just object of my song and praise. My salvation, i.e. my Saviour.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 118:14 The LORD [is] my strength and song, and is become my salvation.Ver. 14. The Lord is my strength and song] i.e. The matter of my song, and mean of my joy. Trust in God shall once triumph.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) Thou hast.—Better, Thou didst thrust and thrust at me. This sudden change of person and challenge of the foes themselves is very dramatic.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 118 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. The words, taken from the Song of Moses (Exodus 15:2; cp. Isaiah 12:2) recall the memory of Israel’s greatest deliverance, and imply that He Who brought them out of Egypt is still their Deliverer.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Lord is my strength and song - He is the source of strength to me; and he is the subject of my praise. There is no ground of praise in myself for anything that I have done, but all is due to him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 118 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. The Lord is my strength—Borrowed from the song at the Red Sea.Exodus 15:2
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 118 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.
The Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”
Tyndale line
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Jehovah is my strength and song; And he is become my salvation.
The LORD is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The Lord is my strength and song: for he hath beene my deliuerance.
Strictly literal
My strength and song is Jah, and he is become my salvation.
My strength and song [is] Jah, And He is to me for salvation.
YAH is my strength and song, || And He is to me for salvation.
My strength and song is the Lord, and he is become my salvation.
Yahweh is my strength and joy, and he is the one who rescues me.
From the Latin
I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.
Simplified
The Lord is my strength, and the one I sing about. He is the one who saves me.
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse, with five of the six words matching directly. The differences in word order and article usage in the Septuagint do not alter the fundamental meaning.
עָזִּ֣י וְזִמְרָ֣ת יָ֑הּ וַֽיְהִי־ לִ֝֗י לִֽישׁוּעָֽה׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 118:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עֹז (oz) refers to strength or might, encompassing material, physical, personal, social, and political dimensions. It can denote boldness or impudence and is associated with the might of God. The word is built from the root related to strength and power, with various applications noted in the entries.
עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז n.m. strength, might
material and physical
personal, social, and political
might of י׳
= boldness, impudence
= stronghold
base
H5797 עֹז, and (rarely) עוֹז strength, might . material and physical
. personal, social, and political
. might of י׳
. = boldness, impudence
. = stronghold
5797 `oz oze
or (fully) rowz {oze}; from 5810; strength in various
applications (force, security, majesty, praise):--boldness,
loud, might, power, strength, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עֹז (oz) — strength.
1) might, strength
1a) material or physical
1b) personal or social or political
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
זִמְרָה (zimrah) refers to a melody or song, particularly one that is a form of praise to God. It is associated with instrumental music and singing. The word is derived from a root that also relates to the concept of song, emphasizing its musical and celebratory nature.
זִמְרָה n.f. melody, song, in praise of י׳
of instrumental music
of singing
base
H2176 זִמְרָה melody, song, in praise of י׳
2176 zimrath zim-rawth'
from 2167; instrumental music; by implication, praise:--song.
see HEBREW for 02167
זִמְרָת (zim.rat) — song.
song of praise, song, music, melody
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular constructHC/Ncfsc
→ A title given to Jehovah 1Sa 15:29
יָהּ (Yahh) is a shortened form of יהוה (YHWH), meaning 'LORD.' It appears in early Hebrew poetry and is often found in names ending with '-iah' or '-jah.' The entries confirm its use as a sacred name, but do not provide specific verse references.
יָהּ 60 n.pr.dei contr. fr. יהוה, first appears in early poems
base
H3050 יָהּ n. pr. dei contr. fr. יהוה, first appears in early poems
3050 Yahh yaw
contraction for 3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred
name:--Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in "-iah,"
"- jah."
see HEBREW for 03068
יָהּ (yah) — LORD.
A shortened form of the name ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
used in many compounds as the letters 'Je' or 'jah'
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
be-kum':
(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.
(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah) refers to concepts of salvation, deliverance, and welfare, often with a spiritual dimension. It is derived from a root meaning to save and encompasses ideas of victory and prosperity. The term is used in contexts related to divine aid and protection, emphasizing both physical and spiritual deliverance.
יְשׁוּעָה n.f. salvation
welfare, prosperity
deliverance
salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea
victory
base
H3444 יְשׁוּעָה salvation . welfare, prosperity
. deliverance
. salvation by God, primarily from external evils, but often with added spiritual idea
. victory
3444 yshuw`ah yesh-oo'-aw
feminine passive participle of 3467; something saved, i.e.
(abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory,
prosperity:--deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save,
saving (health), welfare.
see HEBREW for 03467
יְשׁוּעָה (ye.shu.ah) — salvation.
1) salvation, deliverance
1a) welfare, prosperity
1b) deliverance
1c) salvation (by God)
1d) victory
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
sal-va'-shun:
I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. General
2. Individualism
3. Faith
4. Moral Law
5. Sacrifices
6. Ritual Law
II. INTERMEDIATE LITERATURE
1. General
2. The Law
III. THE TEACHING OF CHRIST
1. The Baptist
2. Kingdom of God
3. Present and Future
4. Individualism
5. Moral Progress
6. Forgiveness
7. Person of Christ
8. Notes
IV. PAUL
1. General
2. Moral Progress
3. The Spirit
4. Mystical Union
5. Forgiveness
6. Atonement
7. Summary
8. Notes
V. THE REST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: SUMMARY
1. John
2. Hebrews
3. Peter
4. Summary
LITERATURE
In English Versions of the Bible the words "salvation" "save," are not technical theological terms, but denote simply "deliverance," in almost any sense the latter word can have. In systematic theology, however, "salvation" denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all that would prevent his attaining to the highest good that God has prepared for him. Or, by a transferred sense…
Salvation
This word is used of the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), and of deliverance generally from evil or danger. In the New Testament it is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ, “the great salvation” (Heb. 2:3). (See REDEMPTION; REGENERATION.)
Means, strictly, deliverance; and so it is used of temporal deliverance, victory, in Ge 14:13 1Sa 14:45. But as the spiritual deliverance from sin and death, through the Redeemer, Mt 1:21, is a far greater salvation, so this word has come to be used mostly only in this moral and spiritual sense; and implies not only this deliverance, but also the consequences of it, namely, eternal life and happiness in the kingdom of out Lord, 2Co 7:10 Eph 1:13. It is most justly described as a "great salvation," Heb 2:3.