Psalms 132:16 — Word Study
WLCוְֽ֭כֹהֲנֶיהָ אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ יֶ֑שַׁע וַ֝חֲסִידֶ֗יהָ רַנֵּ֥ן יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃
BSAI will clothelâbash▸ [wrap with spiritual garments] her priestskôhên [spiritual leaders, ministers] with salvationyeshaʻ [deliverance, rescue, yeshua] and her saintschâçîyd [pious ones] ◂will sing out in joyrânan▸ [shout aloud, joyfully, triumphant praise, joyful noise]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְֽ֭כֹהֲנֶיהָ | and priests its | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ | I will clothe | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect first person common singular |
| יֶ֑שַׁע | salvation | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וַ֝חֲסִידֶ֗יהָ | and faithful [people] its | Conjunction, suffix |
| רַנֵּ֥ן | certainly | Verb, Piel, infinitive construct common |
| יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃ | they will shout for joy | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will sing out in joy. |
| KJV | I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. |
| ASV | Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. |
| YLT | And her priests I clothe [with] salvation, And her pious ones do sing aloud. |
| WEB | I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy. |
| BBE | Her priests will be clothed with salvation; and her saints will give cries of joy. |
The translations agree on the meaning of יֶ֑שַׁע — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause is followed by a conjunction and a second clause that describes the joyful response of the saints, showing a clear relationship between God's action and the community's reaction.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbלָבֵשׁ
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 132:16
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 — God's Promises to Ziongenerated
Psalm 132:16 expresses God's commitment to bless Zion, symbolizing His people, by providing salvation for their priests and joy for the faithful. This verse highlights the relationship between divine provision and the joyful response of the community, connecting it to the broader themes of God's covenant and care for His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 132:9 | May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy. |
| 2 | Psalm 140:4 | Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked. Keep me safe from men of violence who scheme to make me stumble. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 6:41 | Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, and enter Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might. May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness. |
| 4 | Isaiah 61:10 | I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. |
| 5 | Galatians 3:27 | For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יֶ֑שַׁע, Ye.sha'generated
The noun יֶ֑שַׁע (yesha`) refers to salvation or deliverance, embodying both physical and spiritual aspects. It is used in contexts where God rescues or provides victory, emphasizing His role as a savior.
In this verse, the term signifies the spiritual clothing of the priests, indicating that they are wrapped in God's deliverance, which empowers them to lead and serve the community.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of יֶ֑שַׁע as salvation.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb, אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ (I will clothe), governs the structure, with two phrases following: the first specifies what is being clothed (the priests with salvation), and the second describes the faithful's response (they will shout for joy).
The sentence structure emphasizes the action of God providing for His priests and the resulting joy of the faithful, showcasing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint uses ἐνδύσω for אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ, which translates as I will clothe. This choice conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing God's action of providing garments, but the Greek may carry a more literal sense of dressing.
The word σωτηρίαν corresponds to יֶ֑שַׁע, reinforcing the idea of salvation, aligning with the Hebrew context of divine deliverance.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 132:16 tells us that God will provide salvation for the priests and that the faithful will express their joy through singing. This verse highlights the connection between God's blessings and the joyful response of His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that the priests are empowered and protected by God's deliverance, enabling them to fulfill their roles in worship.
The saints express their joy through singing and shouting, reflecting their gratitude and celebration of God's blessings.
Salvation is central as it represents God's provision and care for His people, ensuring their spiritual well-being.
The community's joy illustrates the collective response to God's blessings, emphasizing the importance of worship and praise among the faithful.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I recognize and celebrate God's provision in my life?
- How can I express my joy in worship, similar to the saints in this verse?
- What does it mean to me to be spiritually clothed with salvation?
- How can I encourage others in my community to share in the joy of God's blessings?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference this verse to discuss God's promises and the joy of His people. Here is a quotation from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the significance of the psalmist's words.
"I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice and sing" [Psalms 132:16]. We are now at the end of the Psalm; attend for a short space, Beloved.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 132 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 132:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI will also clothe her priests with salvation,.... With the garments of salvation, as the Targum; in answer to the petition, Psalms 132:9; but more is promised than prayed for, "salvation" including
Read John Gill on Psalms 132 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. I will also clothe her priests with salvation - (Psalms 132:9, "with righteousness:" cf. Psalms 149:4).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 132 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWith salvation; with my saving graces and blessings; with righteousness, as thou didst desire, ; and moreover, with that protection and benediction which by my promise belongs to righteous persons.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 132 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.Ver. 16. I will also clothe her priests, &c.] So that they shall save themselves and those that hear them, 1 Timothy 4:16. Thus God answereth his people’ s prayers both for temporals and spirituals; see Psalms 132:9, and that with an overplus of comfort; they shall shout aloud.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 132 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. I will also clothe her priests] All Christian ministers, with salvation; this shall appear in all their conduct. Salvation - redemption from all sin through the blood of the Lamb, shall be their great and universal message.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 132 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. Her priests also will I clothe with salvation] The correlative of righteousness in Psalms 132:9. He will prosper those who minister faithfully. Cp. Isaiah 61:10. Health in P.B.V. is an archaism for healing, deliverance, salvation. Cp. Psalms 67:2.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 132 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI will also clothe her priests with salvation - See the notes at Psalms 132:9, where - instead of the word which in 2 Chronicles 6:41, as here, is “salvation,” we find the word “righteousness.” The
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 132 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible16. As Psalms 132:15 secures temporal blessings, so here the spiritual are guaranteed also.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 132 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will sing out in joy.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation. Her saints will shout aloud for joy.
I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will sing out in joy.
I will protect her priests, and her godly people will shout exuberantly.
Tyndale line
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Her priests also will I clothe with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
And will clothe her Priests with saluation, and her Saints shall shoute for ioye.
Strictly literal
And I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
And her priests I clothe [with] salvation, And her pious ones do sing aloud.
And I clothe her priests [with] salvation, || And her pious ones sing aloud.
And her priests will I clothe with salvation: and her pious ones shall shout aloud for joy.
I will clothe her priests with salvation, her faithful ones will shout aloud for joy.
Simplified
I will clothe its priests with salvation; and its faithful people will shout for joy.
Her priests will be clothed with salvation; and her saints will give cries of joy.
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, with all six words matched in the Greek translation. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a fragment that partially restores the verse, confirming the essential elements of the text.
וְֽ֭כֹהֲנֶיהָ אַלְבִּ֣ישׁ יֶ֑שַׁע וַ֝חֲסִידֶ֗יהָ רַנֵּ֥ן יְרַנֵּֽנוּ׃
6 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.
וכוהני׳ה אלבישה ישע וחסידי׳ה ירננו
5 words of the verse are on this fragment — 1 partly restored.
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 132:16
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.
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3fs
The Hebrew word לָבֵשׁ (*labash*) means to put on or wear clothing, and it can refer to both literal and figurative clothing. It is built from a primitive root meaning to wrap around. The entries cover various forms, including Qal, Pual, and Hiphil, indicating different nuances of dressing or being clothed. The word is also noted for its use in a figurative sense, such as being clothed with a spirit.
לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ vb. put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
Qal
lit. put on (one’s own) garment; = wear (more or less habitually)
very oft. fig., put on, be clothed with
lit. put on
once
clothed with
and the spirit of י׳ clothed itself with Gideon
Pu. arrayed
Hiph. clothe, array with
base
H3847 לָבֵשׁ, לָבַשׁ put on (a garment), wear, clothe, be clothed
3847 labash law-bash'
or labesh {law-bashe'}; a primitive root; properly, wrap
around, i.e. (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe
(oneself, or another), literally or figuratively:--(in)
apparel, arm, array (self), clothe (self), come upon, put (on,
upon), wear.
לָבֵשׁ (la.vash) — to clothe.
1) to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear
1a2) to put on, be clothed with (fig.)
1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed
1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress
Aramaic equivalent: le.vash (לְבֵשׁ "to clothe" H3848)
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect first person common singularHVhi1cs
יֵ֫שַׁע (yesha`) refers to concepts of deliverance, rescue, and salvation, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. It also includes ideas of safety, welfare, and prosperity. The entries consistently emphasize its use in contexts of divine rescue and victory.
יֵ֫שַׁע n.m. deliverance, rescue, salvation, also safety, welfare
safety, welfare, prosperity
salvation, i.e. primarily physical rescue, by God, oft. with added spiritual idea
victory
base
H3468 יֵ֫שַׁע deliverance, rescue, salvation, also safety, welfare . safety, welfare, prosperity
. salvation, i.e. primarily physical rescue, by God, oft. with added spiritual idea
. victory
3468 yesha` yeh'-shah
or yeshai {yay'-shah}; from 3467; liberty, deliverance,
prosperity:--safety, salvation, saving.
see HEBREW for 03467
יֵ֫שַׁע (ye.sah) — salvation.
1) deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare
1a) safety, welfare, prosperity
1b) salvation
1c) victory
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
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.
חָסִיד (chaciyd) means kind or pious, referring to someone who is religiously devoted or merciful. It encompasses terms like saint, godly, and faithful. The word is rooted in the concept of kindness, often associated with God's attributes in contexts like Jeremiah 3:12 and Psalm 145:17.
חָסִיד adj.m. kind, pious (so, as denoting active practice of חֶסֶד, kindness, Thes MV De and most, cf. קָצִיר, פָּקִיד etc.; > Hup on ψ 4:4 RVm who expl. as passive reception of י׳’s חֶסֶד, cf. שָׂכִיר, אָסִיר etc.; its used as attribute of God Je 3:12 ψ 145:17, and the context ψ 12:1 Mi 7:2 etc., favour active sense)—
kind
pious, godly
base
H2623 חָסִיד kind, pious
2623 chaciyd khaw-seed'
from 2616; properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a
saint):--godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-
)godly.
see HEBREW for 02616
חָסִיד (cha.sid) — pious.
1) faithful, kind, godly, holy one, saint, pious
1a) kind
1b) pious, godly
1c) faithful ones (subst)
Conj | Adj | Suff — Conjunction · suffixHC/Aampc/Sp3fs
רוּן (run) primarily means to overcome, while רָנַן (ranan) refers to giving a ringing cry, often in joy or distress. The entries indicate a range of uses, including shouting for joy, singing, and calling out in exhortation. Notably, the word can also imply causing others to rejoice or sing.
[רוּן] vb. overcome;—Hithpō‛. ψ 78:65
ref
[רָנַן] vb. give a ringing cry
Qal
in joy, exultation
in distress
cry aloud, in summons, exhortation (of wisdom)
Pi. give a ringing cry, in joy, exultation
Pu. no ringing cry shall be given
Hiph. cause to ring out for joy
base
H7442a רוּן overcome H7442b רָנַן give a ringing cry .. in joy, exultation
. in distress
. cry aloud, in summons, exhortation (of wisdom)
. give a ringing cry, in joy, exultation
. no ringing cry shall be given
. cause to ring out for joy
7442 ranan raw-nan'
a primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous
sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy):--aloud for joy, cry
out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout
(for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.
רוּן (run) — to overcome.
1) to overcome
1a) (Hithpolel) to be overcome
רָנַן (ra.nan) — to sing.
1) to cry out, shout for joy, give a ringing cry
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give a ringing cry (in joy, exaltation, distress)
1a2) to cry aloud (in summons, exhortation of wisdom)
1b) (Piel) to give a ringing cry (in joy, exultation, praise
1c) (Pual) ringing cry, singing out (passive)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to ring or sing out (for joy)
1e) (Hithpolel) rejoicing (participle)
Also means: ran.nen (רַנֵּן "to sing" H7444)
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Piel · infinitive construct commonHVpcc
רוּן (run) primarily means to overcome, while רָנַן (ranan) refers to giving a ringing cry, often in joy or distress. The entries indicate a range of uses, including shouting for joy, singing, and calling out in exhortation. Notably, the word can also imply causing others to rejoice or sing.
[רוּן] vb. overcome;—Hithpō‛. ψ 78:65
ref
[רָנַן] vb. give a ringing cry
Qal
in joy, exultation
in distress
cry aloud, in summons, exhortation (of wisdom)
Pi. give a ringing cry, in joy, exultation
Pu. no ringing cry shall be given
Hiph. cause to ring out for joy
base
H7442a רוּן overcome H7442b רָנַן give a ringing cry .. in joy, exultation
. in distress
. cry aloud, in summons, exhortation (of wisdom)
. give a ringing cry, in joy, exultation
. no ringing cry shall be given
. cause to ring out for joy
7442 ranan raw-nan'
a primitive root; properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous
sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy):--aloud for joy, cry
out, be joyful (greatly, make to) rejoice, (cause to) shout
(for joy), (cause to) sing (aloud, for joy, out), triumph.
רוּן (run) — to overcome.
1) to overcome
1a) (Hithpolel) to be overcome
רָנַן (ra.nan) — to sing.
1) to cry out, shout for joy, give a ringing cry
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to give a ringing cry (in joy, exaltation, distress)
1a2) to cry aloud (in summons, exhortation of wisdom)
1b) (Piel) to give a ringing cry (in joy, exultation, praise
1c) (Pual) ringing cry, singing out (passive)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to ring or sing out (for joy)
1e) (Hithpolel) rejoicing (participle)
Also means: ran.nen (רַנֵּן "to sing" H7444)
HVpi3mp — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVpi3mp
joi (simchah; chara):
1. Terms:
The idea of joy is expressed in the Old Testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. The commonest is simchah (1Sa 18:6, etc.), variously translated in English Versions of the Bible "joy," "gladness," "mirth"; from sameah, properly "to be bright," "to shine" (Pr 13:9, "The light of the righteous rejoiceth," literally, "is bright"), but generally used figuratively "to rejoice," "be glad" (Le 23:40 and very frequent).
Other nouns are masos and sason, both from sus, properly "to spring," "leap," hence, "exult," "rejoice"; rinnah, "shouting." "joy"; gil, from verb gil or gul, "to go in a circle," hence, "be excited" (dancing round for joy), "rejoice." In the New…
