Psalms 118:25 — Word Study
WLCאָנָּ֣א יְ֭הוָה הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה נָּ֑א אָֽנָּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה הַצְלִ֘יחָ֥ה נָּֽא׃
BSAO LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] save usyâshaʻ [rescue, deliver] we prayʼânnâʼ [please, I beseech thee] We beseech Younâʼ [plead with, ask earnestly] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [the supreme God] cause us to prospertsâlach [make, bring about, succeed, have good success]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אָנָּ֣א | we beg you | Particle |
| יְ֭הוָה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה | save ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| נָּ֑א | please | Particle |
| אָֽנָּ֥א | we beg you | Particle |
| יְ֝הוָ֗ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| הַצְלִ֘יחָ֥ה | grant success ! | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| נָּֽא׃ | please | Particle |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper! |
| KJV | Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. |
| ASV | Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity. |
| YLT | I beseech Thee, O Jehovah, save, I pray Thee, I beseech Thee, O Jehovah, prosper, I pray Thee. |
| WEB | Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now. |
| BBE | Send salvation now, O Lord; Lord, send us your blessing. |
The translations agree closely in their rendering of the verse, maintaining the essence of the plea for help and success.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses, each expressing a specific request to God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
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 118:25
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 Plea for Salvation and Prosperitygenerated
Psalm 118:25 is a heartfelt cry to the LORD, asking for rescue and success. This verse is part of a larger passage that celebrates God's goodness and faithfulness, reflecting a communal desire for divine intervention. The psalmist expresses urgency and respect in the request, highlighting the importance of God's role in their lives, similar to other psalms that call for help, such as Psalm 20:9 and Psalm 69:1–13.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 20:9 | O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call. |
| 2 | Psalm 22:21 | Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me! |
| 3 | Psalm 69:1–13 | Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck. |
| 4 | Psalm 90:17 | May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands— yes, establish the work of our hands! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה, ho.Shi.'Ahgenerated
The verb הוֹשִׁיעָ֥ה (ho.Shi.'Ah) is a hiphil imperative form of the root יָשַׁע (yasha`), meaning 'to save' or 'to deliver'. This form indicates a command directed towards God, asking Him to act on behalf of the speaker.
In this context, the psalmist is not merely seeking physical salvation but also spiritual deliverance, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the request. The urgency is underscored by the repetition of pleas, demonstrating a deep reliance on God's power to rescue and provide.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of this verse is straightforward, consisting of two main clauses linked by the urgency of the requests. The finite verb הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה (save) governs the first clause, while the second clause follows with a similar imperative structure, emphasizing the psalmist's earnestness.
The repetition of אָנָּ֣א (please) serves to intensify the plea, framing both requests as urgent and heartfelt appeals to the LORD.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה is rendered as σῶσον (sōson), which also means 'save'. This choice reflects a direct appeal for deliverance, consistent with the Hebrew meaning.
The use of εὐόδωσον (eudōson) for הַצְלִ֘יחָ֥ה indicates a focus on causing success, aligning with the Hebrew intent to ask for prosperity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 118:25 is a plea to the LORD for help and success. The psalmist asks God to save them and to make them prosper, showing deep respect and urgency in their requests. This verse highlights the importance of relying on God's power in times of need.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is seeking divine intervention for rescue from danger or distress, reflecting a deep trust in God's ability to deliver.
The repetition emphasizes the urgency and earnestness of the plea, showing the psalmist's deep reliance on God.
To ask God to cause prosperity means to seek His blessing for success and well-being in various aspects of life.
This verse illustrates a personal and respectful relationship, where the psalmist approaches God with humility and a sincere request for help.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's help and deliverance?
- How can I express my requests to God with the same urgency as the psalmist?
- What does it mean to me to ask God to cause me to prosper?
- How can I rely on God's power in my daily life, just as the psalmist does?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse in his exposition, highlighting its plea for salvation and success from the LORD.
"Save me now, O Lord: prosper Thou well my way, O Lord" [Psalms 118:25].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 118 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSave now, I beseech thee, O Lord,.... Or, "we beseech thee"; for they are the words of the people, wishing all health and happiness to their king; and it is as if they had said, "vivat rex", that is,
Read John Gill on Psalms 118 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySave now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 118 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI beseech thee; or, we beseech thee; for the Hebrew words may be rendered either way. These seem to be the words of the Levites, to whom he spake ; or of the people, using these joyful acclamations or prayers to God for the preservation of their king and kingdom. This also is interpreted of and was applied to Christ, even by the Jews themselves, .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.Ver. 25. Save now, I beseech thee] Hosanna, as Matthew 21:9, a usual acclamation of the people to their new kings. Send now prosperity] God will send it, but his people must pray for it; I came for thy prayers, Daniel 10:11-12
Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(25) Save now.—This is not the adverb of time. Render, Save, we pray. (See Matthew 21:9.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 118 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 25. Save now, I beseech thee] These words were sung by the Jews on the feast of tabernacles, when carrying green branches in their hands; and from the הושיעה נא hoshiah nna, we have the word hosanna. This was sung by the Jewish children when Christ made his public entry into Jerusalem. See Matthew 21:9, and see the note there, See Clarke on Matthew 21:9, in which the word and the circumstance are both explained.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 118 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25–29. Vows and prayers, blessings and praises.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSave now, I beseech thee, O Lord ... - The word save here seems to be used in the general sense of imploring the divine interposition and mercy.
Read Albert Barnes 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
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!
Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!
Please Lord, deliver! Please Lord, grant us success!
Tyndale line
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Save now, we beseech thee, O Jehovah: O Jehovah, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Save now, we beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
O Lord, I praie thee, saue now: O Lord, I praie thee nowe giue prosperitie.
Strictly literal
Oh save, Jehovah, I beseech thee; Jehovah, I beseech thee, oh send prosperity!
I beseech Thee, O Jehovah, save, I pray Thee, I beseech Thee, O Jehovah, prosper, I pray Thee.
Ah, now, O YHWH, please save, || Ah, now, O YHWH, please prosper.
We beseech thee, O Lord, save [us] now: we beseech thee, O Lord, send [us] now prosperity.
Please, Yahweh, give us victory! Please, Yahweh, give us success!
From the Latin
DALETH. My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Simplified
Lord, please save us! Lord, please make us successful!
Send salvation now, O Lord; Lord, send us your blessing.
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 agree closely in their wording for Psalm 118:25, with both texts conveying the same urgent requests. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support this reading, although some words are partly restored, indicating minor textual variations.
אָנָּ֣א יְ֭הוָה הוֹשִׁ֘יעָ֥ה נָּ֑א אָֽנָּ֥א יְ֝הוָ֗ה הַצְלִ֘יחָ֥ה נָּֽא׃
8 of the 8 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.
[אנא] [יהוה] הושיע׳ה נא [אנא] יהוה הצליח׳ה נא
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
[אנא] [יהוה] הושיע׳ה נא אנא יהוה [הצליח׳ה] נא
4 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
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 118:25
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.
אָֽנָּ֫א (anna) is an interjection used as a strong expression of entreaty, meaning 'oh now!' or 'I beseech you.' It often precedes an imperative verb. The word appears to be a contraction from other Hebrew roots, but its primary function is to convey urgency in requests.
אָֽנָּ֫א interj. a strong part. of entreaty, ah, now! I (or we) beseech thee! oft. sq. an imper.
base
H577 אָֽנָּ֫א a strong part. of entreaty, ah, now! I (or we) beseech thee! oft. sq. an imper.
577 'anna' awn-naw'
or mannah {awn-naw'}; apparent contracted from 160 and 4994;
oh now!:--I (me) beseech (pray) thee, O.
see HEBREW for 0160
see HEBREW for 04994
אָֽנָּ֫א (an.na) — Please!.
ah now! I/we beseech you, oh now!, pray now! (participle of entreaty usually followed by the imperative verb)
Part — ParticleHTj
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sh
sav: In the sense "except," the word came into English through the French (sauf) and is fairly common (38 times, in addition to "saving," the King James Version Ec 5:11; Am 9:8; Mt 5:32; Lu 4:27; Re 2:17). It represents no particular Hebrew or Greek terms but is employed wherever it seems useful. It is still in good (slightly archaic) use, and the Revised Version (British and American) has few modifications (De 15:4 the King James Version; Ps 18:31, etc.), but the English Revised Version has dropped "saving" in
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Part — ParticleHTj
אָֽנָּ֫א (anna) is an interjection used as a strong expression of entreaty, meaning 'oh now!' or 'I beseech you.' It often precedes an imperative verb. The word appears to be a contraction from other Hebrew roots, but its primary function is to convey urgency in requests.
אָֽנָּ֫א interj. a strong part. of entreaty, ah, now! I (or we) beseech thee! oft. sq. an imper.
base
H577 אָֽנָּ֫א a strong part. of entreaty, ah, now! I (or we) beseech thee! oft. sq. an imper.
577 'anna' awn-naw'
or mannah {awn-naw'}; apparent contracted from 160 and 4994;
oh now!:--I (me) beseech (pray) thee, O.
see HEBREW for 0160
see HEBREW for 04994
אָֽנָּ֫א (an.na) — Please!.
ah now! I/we beseech you, oh now!, pray now! (participle of entreaty usually followed by the imperative verb)
HTj — ParticleHTj
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
צָלַח (tsalach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rush or advance, with a focus on prospering or succeeding. It can refer to both literal and figurative progress, and can be used transitively or intransitively. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including causing prosperity. There is an Aramaic equivalent, צְלַח (tse.lach), which also means to prosper.
[צָלַח] vb. rush
base
[צָלֵחַ, צָלַח] vb. advance, prosper
Qal prosper
Hiph.
make prosperous, bring to successful issue
shew, experience, prosperity
base
H6743a צָלַח rush H6743b צָלֵחַ, צָלַח advance, prosper
6743 tsalach tsaw-lakh'
or tsaleach {tsaw-lay'-akh}; a primitive root; to push
forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive
or intransitive):--break out, come (mightily), go over, be
good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to,
send) prosper(-ity, -ous, - ously).
צָלַח (tsa.lach) — to rush.
(Qal) to rush
צָלֵחַ (tsa.lech) — to prosper.
1) to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable
1a) (Qal) to prosper
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper
1b2) to show or experience prosperity, prosper
Aramaic equivalent: tse.lach (צְלַח "to prosper" H6744)
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sh
נָא (na') is a Hebrew particle used primarily for entreaty or exhortation, meaning 'I pray,' 'now,' or 'please.' It often appears attached to verbs in the imperative or future forms, and can also modify interjections, adverbs, or conjunctions. The entries consistently emphasize its role in expressing a plea or request.
נָא part. of entreaty or exhortation, I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
base
H4994 נָא I (we) pray, now (enclitic)
4994 na' naw
a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may
usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly
to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections,
occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray)
thee (you), go to, now, oh.
נָא (na) — please.
1) I (we) pray, now, please
1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
HTj — ParticleHTj