Psalms 118:5 — Word Study
WLCמִֽן־ הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָנָ֖נִי בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ׃
BSAInmin [my] distressmêtsar [deep, utmost, trouble, terror] I calledqârâʼ■ [cried out, prayed] to the LORDYâhh [Jah, the sovereign God] [and He]Yâhh answeredʻânâh■ [responded, sang] [and set me] freemerchâb [in a large, broad place, from my pain]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִֽן־ | from | Preposition |
| הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר | the distress | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| קָרָ֣אתִי | I called out to | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| יָּ֑הּ | Yahweh | Noun proper masculine |
| עָנָ֖נִי | he answered me | Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
| בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב | in roomy place | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יָֽהּ׃ | Yahweh | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free. |
| KJV | I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. |
| ASV | Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place. |
| YLT | From the straitness I called Jah, Jah answered me in a broad place. |
| WEB | Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom. |
| BBE | I made my prayer to the Lord in my trouble: and the Lord gave me an answer, and put me in a wide place. |
Where they part company is עָנָה — see How Translations Differ.
The structure features a main clause with a clear subject and action, supported by prepositional phrases that provide context and detail.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָרָא
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 118:5
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 Declaration of God's Deliverancegenerated
Psalm 118:5 reflects a moment of deep distress where the psalmist turns to the LORD for help. This verse is part of a larger psalm that emphasizes God's faithfulness and love, encouraging the faithful to trust in Him during difficult times. The surrounding verses affirm God's presence and support, highlighting the importance of calling upon Him in times of trouble.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:6 | In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears. |
| 2 | Psalm 40:1–3 | I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. |
| 3 | Psalm 77:2 | In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. |
| 4 | Psalm 107:13–19 | Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. |
| 5 | Psalm 116:3–4 | The ropes of death entangled me; the anguish of Sheol overcame me; I was confronted by trouble and sorrow. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מֵצַר, ha.me.Tzargenerated
The noun מֵצַר (*metsar*) derives from a root meaning to be tight or constricted, indicating a state of distress or trouble. It conveys the sense of being in a narrow or difficult situation, often associated with feelings of being trapped or overwhelmed.
In this verse, מֵצַר captures the essence of the psalmist's plight, emphasizing the urgency and intensity of his call to the LORD amidst his suffering.
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 main verb of the verse is קָרָ֣אתִי, I called out, which governs the structure of the sentence. The psalmist's call is followed by the object יָּ֑הּ, Yahweh, indicating to whom he is calling.
The structure includes a prepositional phrase מִֽן־ הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר, from the distress, which sets the context for the call, and concludes with the phrase בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב, in a roomy place, indicating the result of the LORD's response.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew מֵצַר is rendered as θλίψει — in distress. This choice emphasizes the emotional and physical turmoil faced by the psalmist, aligning closely with the original meaning.
The word ἐπεκαλεσάμην corresponds to קָרָ֣אתִי, reflecting the act of calling out, which maintains the urgency of the psalmist's plea.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 118:5 shows the psalmist in a moment of distress, calling out to the LORD for help. He expresses his pain and celebrates how God answered him, bringing him to a place of freedom and relief.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The term 'distress' refers to a state of trouble or tightness, indicating a difficult situation where the psalmist feels trapped.
The LORD answers the psalmist's plea, providing relief and freedom from his distress.
Calling on the name of the LORD signifies reliance on His power and presence, especially in times of trouble.
Being in a 'roomy place' symbolizes freedom and relief, contrasting the tightness of distress.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel constricted or in distress, and how can I call upon the LORD for help?
- How has God responded to my cries for help in the past?
- What does it mean to me to experience freedom from my troubles?
- How can I support others who are in distress, encouraging them to call on the LORD?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 118:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI called upon the Lord in distress,.... Or "out of that strait" (q); when David was encompassed by Saul and his men, or when at the court of Achish, or when his own people talked of stoning him.
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 BibleSet me; which verb is tacitly included in the former, and is easily understood out of , where the full phrase is expressed, and from the following word. See the like examples in the Hebrew text, , &c.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 118 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 118:5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, [and set me] in a large place.Ver. 5. I called upon the Lord in distress] Heb. out of distress, q.d. I celebrate not God’ s mercy of course, but out of experience. The Lord answered me] Heb. Yah answered me with a large roomth. See Psalms 4:2.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 118 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) I called.—Better, out of the straitness I cried to Jah; answered me, with freedom, Jah. The meaning of the last clause (literally, with room. Comp.: “Ay, marry, now my soul has elbow-room”—King John) is determined by the parallelism of Psa 18:19. The versions read “freedom of Jah,” i.e., boundless freedom,”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 118 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. I called upon the Lord] I am a standing proof and living witness of God's mercy. Take encouragement from me.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 118 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–9. Israel speaks as one man; acknowledging that it is Jehovah Who has delivered them. With Him as their ally they have nothing to fear.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 118 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI called upon the Lord in distress - Margin, as in Hebrew, “out of distress.” In the very midst of trouble he called upon the Lord; his voice was heard, as it were, coming from the depth of his sorrows.
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
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.
Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.
In my distress I cried out to the Lord. The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.
Tyndale line
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
Out of my distress I called upon Jehovah: Jehovah answered me and set me in a large place.
Out of my distress I called upon the LORD: the LORD answered me and set me in a large place.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
I called vpon the Lord in trouble, and the Lord heard me, and set me at large.
Strictly literal
I called upon Jah in distress; Jah answered me [and set me] in a large place.
From the straitness I called Jah, Jah answered me in a broad place.
I called YAH from the narrow place, || YAH answered me in a broad place.
From the midst of distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me with enlargement.
In my distress I called out to Yahweh; Yahweh answered me and set me free.
From the Latin
O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.
Simplified
I was suffering badly, so I cried out to the Lord for help. He answered me and set me free from my pain.
I made my prayer to the Lord in my trouble: and the Lord gave me an answer, and put me in a wide place.
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 reads: "מִן־ הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָנָ֖נִי בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ׃" which translates to, "In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free." The Septuagint aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, matching 5 out of 7 words, though its word order and articles differ due to its own grammatical structure. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q84) preserve parts of the text, with 1 word on the leather and 6 words supplied by an editor, indicating some agreement with the Masoretic Text but not a complete match. Overall, while there are minor variations, the core message remains consistent across these ancient witnesses.
מִֽן־ הַ֭מֵּצַ֥ר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָנָ֖נִי בַמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ׃
5 of the 7 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.
[מן] [המצר] [קראתי] [יה] [ענ׳ני] [במרחב] יה
1 word on the leather — 6 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 118:5
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.
The Hebrew word מִן־ (*min*) is a preposition meaning 'from' or 'out of,' indicating separation or origin. It covers various uses, including temporal references, comparisons, and causal relationships. Additionally, it can denote a portion when used as a noun מֵן (*men*). The entries highlight its versatility in expressing different nuances of separation and position.
מִן־, and מִ, before יְ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not
with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal
from, against
מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
of position, off, on the side of, on
Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
Partitively
Of time—
as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
towards, to
(וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
In comparisons, beyond, above
מן is prefixed to an infin.:
with causal force, from, on account of, through
after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
with a temporal force, since, after
Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
In compounds:
base
H4480a מִן־, מִ, prep. expressing the idea of separation, hence out of, from, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not . with verbs expressing (or implying) separation or removal . from, against
. מן also, without a verb of similar significance, sometimes expresses the idea of separation, away from, far from
. of position, off, on the side of, on
. Out of, Gk. ἐκ, Lat. ex
. Partitively
. Of time— . as marking the terminus a quo, the anterior limit of a continuous period from, since
. as marking the period immediately succeeding the limit after
. towards, to
. (וְעַד) עַד … מִן from … even to
. In comparisons, beyond, above
. מן is prefixed to an infin.: . with causal force, from, on account of, through
. after verbs implying restraint, prevention, cessation, etc.
. with a temporal force, since, after
. Once as a conj. before a finite verb. that
4480 min min
or minniy {min-nee'}; or minney (constructive plural)
{min-nay'}; (Isaiah 30:11); for 4482; properly, a part of;
hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses (as
follows):--above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason
of), from (among), in, X neither, X nor, (out) of, over,
since, X then, through, X whether, with.
see HEBREW for 04482
מִן־ (min) — from.
prep
1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than
1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of
1b) out of
1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling)
1b2) (of material from which something is made)
1b3) (of source or origin)
1c) out of, some of, from (partitively)
1d) from, since, after (of time)
1e) than, more than (in comparison)
1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or
1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons)
1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive)
conj
2) that
Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
מֵן (men) — portion.
n.m.
portion
Prep — PrepositionHR
מֵצַר (metsar) refers to something tight or constricted, often used figuratively to denote trouble, distress, or pain. The entries highlight its meanings related to straits and distress, indicating a sense of being trapped or in a difficult situation.
מֵצַר n.[m.] straits, distress;—abs.
base
H4712 מֵצַר
4712 metsar may-tsar'
from 6896; something tight, i.e. (figuratively)
trouble:--distress, pain, strait.
see HEBREW for 06896
מֵצַר (me.tsar) — terror.
straits, distress
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
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 עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
V-Qal-Perf-3ms | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqp3ms/Sp1bs
מֶרְחָב (merchab) refers to a broad or roomy place, indicating an open space that can be understood both literally and figuratively as an area of liberty or expansiveness. The word is derived from a root meaning 'enlargement' and is associated with concepts of breadth and wide expanses.
מֶרְחָב n.[m.] broad, roomy, place
base
H4800 מֶרְחָב broad, roomy, place
4800 merchab mer-khawb'
from 7337; enlargement, either literally (an open space,
usually in a good sense), or figuratively
(liberty):--breadth, large place (room).
see HEBREW for 07337
מֶרְחָב (mer.chav) — broad.
broad or roomy place, wide, expanses
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
plas: Normally for maqom, Old Testament, and topos, New Testament, but in the King James Version "place" represents a great number of Hebrew and Greek words, often used with no difference in force (e.g. 2Ch 35:10,15). the Revised Version (British and American) has made few changes, but occasionally has attempted to specialize the meaning (Ge 40:13; Job 37:8; Ac 8:32; Jas 3:11, etc.).
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