Psalms 34:5 — Word Study
WLCהִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃
BSAto seekdârash Obj.ʼêth The LordYᵉhôvâh to dwellʻânâh allkôl fearmᵉgôwrah to rescuenâtsal
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הִבִּ֣יטוּ | people look | Verb, Hiphil, perfect third person common plural |
| אֵלָ֣יו | to him | Preposition, suffix |
| וְנָהָ֑רוּ | and they are radiant | Verb, Qal, sequential perfect third person common plural |
| וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם | and faces their | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| אַל־ | may not | Particle |
| יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃ | they be abashed | Verb, Qal, jussive third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. |
| KJV | They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. |
| ASV | They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded. |
| YLT | They looked expectingly unto Him, And they became bright, And their faces are not ashamed. |
| WEB | They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame. |
| BBE | Let your eyes be turned to him and you will have light, and your faces will not be shamed. |
The translations agree on the core message of the verse, emphasizing joy and assurance in seeking the Lord.
The structure features a main clause followed by supporting phrases that detail the outcomes of looking to the Lord.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָּרַשׁ
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 34:5
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 Psalm of Davidgenerated
Psalm 34:5 expresses the joy and confidence that come from looking to the Lord. The psalmist emphasizes that those who seek God will shine with joy and will not face shame or disappointment. This verse is part of a larger reflection on God's deliverance and care, as seen in the surrounding verses, particularly Psalm 34:4 and Psalm 34:6.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 123:1–2 | I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. |
| 2 | Isaiah 45:22 | Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. |
| 3 | Hebrews 12:2 | Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. |
| 4 | Psalm 13:3 | Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death, |
| 5 | Psalm 18:28 | For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הִבִּ֣יטוּ, hi.Bi.tugenerated
The verb הִבִּיטוּ (hi.Bi.tu) is a Hiphil form of the root דָּרַשׁ (darash), meaning to look or regard carefully. This form indicates that the action is performed by the subject, in this case, the people looking to the Lord with expectation.
This word captures the essence of seeking God attentively, suggesting a relationship built on trust and anticipation. The act of looking is not passive; it implies an active engagement with God, reflecting a desire for His presence and favor.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is הִבִּ֣יטוּ (hi.Bi.tu), which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a prepositional phrase indicating direction towards the Lord, followed by a description of the resulting state of joy and the assurance of not being ashamed.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the action of looking first, establishing it as the focal point of the verse, with the subsequent phrases detailing the outcomes of that action.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הִבִּ֣יטוּ with ἐχεζήτησα (echezētēsa), which conveys a sense of looking or seeking. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the act of looking as an intentional and focused action.
This translation suggests that the Greek translators recognized the significance of actively seeking God, aligning with the original Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 34:5 tells us that those who look to the Lord will be filled with joy and will not be ashamed. This verse encourages us to seek God with expectation, promising that He will bring happiness and confidence to our lives.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Looking to the Lord means seeking Him with intention and trust, expecting His presence and help in our lives.
The joy mentioned is a radiant happiness that comes from a close relationship with God, contrasting with feelings of shame.
The assurance comes from trusting in God's faithfulness and His promise to care for those who seek Him.
This phrase emphasizes that those who trust in the Lord will not experience disappointment or disgrace, highlighting God's protective nature.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively look to the Lord in my daily life?
- How does seeking God bring joy and confidence into my circumstances?
- What experiences have I had where I felt radiant joy from trusting in God?
- How can I encourage others to look to the Lord and experience His joy?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Christian writers reflect on this verse to illustrate the joy and illumination that comes from seeking God.
I have said who was the exhorter, namely, that lover who would not alone embrace what he loves, and says, "Approach unto Him, and be ye lightened" [Psalms 34:5].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
Whoever approaches him in faith receives rays of intellectual light.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
His light is said to be inaccessible when the unique and omnipotent character of its substance is described. But when the grace of the holy Godhead pours itself forth, one both approaches him and is offered blessed illumination.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 34:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThey looked to him, and were lightened,.... That is, "the humble" ones, Psalms 34:2; and so this is a reason why they should join in praising and magnifying the Lord; these "looked" up to God in
Read John Gill on Psalms 34 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThey looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. They ... lightened.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 34 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey looked; the humble, ; or they that fear him, , when they were in distress. Or it is an indefinite expression. Unto him; either, 1. Unto the Lord, expressed , i.e. they sought and expected help from him. Or rather, 2. Unto this poor man, as it follows, , or unto David. So he speaks of himself in the third person, which is usual. So the sense is, when I was delivered, , men looked upon me with wonder and astonishment, as one saved in a prodigious manner. Lightened, i.e. comforted and encouraged by my example. But these and the foregoing words are by the ancient interpreters read imperatively, as an exhortation to others, to whom he oft addresseth his speech, as ,8,9,11. Look unto him, (…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 34 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.Ver. 5. They looked unto him, and were lightened] They, that is, my servants and fellow soldiers who accompanied me first to Nob, 1 Samuel 21:2; 1 Samuel 21:4 Matthew 12:3-4, and afterwards to Gath (as it is probable); these being in the same danger, looked likewise unto God by faith, hope, and prayer; and were lightened; that is, comforted, cheered, directed, yea, delivered together with David. Or, they flowed together, viz. to God, as rivers roll to the sea, or malefactors run to the sanctuary, Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 60:5. And their faces were not ashamed] i.e. They were not repulsed, disappointed, made to…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 34 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) Were lightened.—The Hebrew verb means properly “to flow,” but by a natural process, as in the common phrases “streams of light,” “floods of light,” acquired in Aramaic the sense of “shining.” Such must be its meaning in Isaiah 60:5, almost the echo of the thought in the psalm, the thought of a reflex of the Divine glory lighting up the face of those who in trouble seek God. (Theodoret has “He who approaches God, receives the rays of intellectual light.”) We naturally think of the dying Stephen. As to the construction, the subject must either be supplied from Psalms 34:2, or it must be general. The LXX. and Vulg. avoid the difficulty by changing to the second person.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 34 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. They looked unto him] Instead of הביטו hibbitu, they looked, several of Dr. Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. have הביטו habbitu, with the point pathach, "Look ye." And their faces were not ashamed.] Some MSS., and the Complutensian Polyglot, make this clause the beginning of a new verse and as it begins with a vau, ופניהם upheneyhem, "and their faces," they make it supply the place of the verse which appears to be lost; but see what is said in the introduction before the first verse.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 34 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5, 6. Such experience of Jehovah’s help is not limited to the Psalmist.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 34 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThey looked unto him - That is, they who were with the psalmist. He was not alone when he fled to Abimelech; and the meaning here is, that each one of those who were with him looked to God, and found light and comfort in Him.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 34 →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
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.
They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.
Those who look to him for help are happy; their faces are not ashamed.
Tyndale line
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces shall never be confounded.
They looked to him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
They shall looke vnto him, and runne to him: and their faces shall not be ashamed, saying,
Strictly literal
They looked unto him, and were enlightened, and their faces were not confounded.
They looked expectingly unto Him, And they became bright, And their faces are not ashamed.
They looked expectingly to Him, || And they became bright, || And their faces are not ashamed.
(34:6) They [who] looked unto him, were indeed enlightened, and their faces were not put to the blush.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces are not ashamed.
From the Latin
Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.
Simplified
The faces of those who look to him will shine with joy; they will never be downcast with shame.
Let your eyes be turned to him and you will have light, and your faces will not be shamed.
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 הִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃, while the Septuagint matches 4 of the 6 words, reflecting a close correspondence in meaning, though the word order and articles differ.
הִבִּ֣יטוּ אֵלָ֣יו וְנָהָ֑רוּ וּ֝פְנֵיהֶ֗ם אַל־ יֶחְפָּֽרוּ׃
4 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 34:5
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.
נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look
Pi. look
Hiph. look
base
H5027 נָבַט look
5027 nabat naw-bat'
a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by
implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause
to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.
1) to look, regard
1a) (Piel) to look
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) tolook
1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider
1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
HVhp3cp — Verb · Hiphil · perfect third person common pluralHVhp3cp
look:
(1) The uses of the simple verb in English Versions of the Bible are nearly all good modern English. In Isa 5:2, however, "He looked that it should bring forth grapes"--"look" is used in the sense of "expect." Compare the King James Version of Sirach 20:14; Ac 28:6, "They looked when he should have swollen" (the Revised Version (British and American) "They expected that he would have swollen"). In 1 Macc 4:54, the King James Version has inserted "look" (omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)) as a simple interjection, without a corresponding word in the Greek
(2) "Look upon" means "fix one's attention on," and is often so used in English Versions of the Bible without further significance (Ec 2:11;
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
HR/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word נָהַר (nahar) has meanings related to both flowing and shining. It can refer to a stream or flow of water, as well as to the act of shining or beaming light. The entries suggest a figurative sense of cheerfulness associated with these actions. There is an Aramaic equivalent, נְהִירוּ (ne.hi.ru), meaning 'illumination.'
[נָהַר] vb. flow, stream
base
נָהַר vb. shine, beam
base
H5102a נָהַר flow, stream H5102b נָהַר shine, beam
5102 nahar naw-har'
a primitive root; to sparkle, i.e. (figuratively) be
cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream) to flow,
i.e. (figuratively) assemble:--flow (together), be lightened.
נָהַר (na.har) — to flow.
1) to flow, stream
1a) (Qal) to flow, stream
נָהַר (na.har) — to shine.
1) to shine, beam, light, burn
1a) (Qal) to beam, be radiant
Aramaic equivalent: ne.hi.ru (נְהִירוּ "illumination" H5094B)
Hc/Vqq3cp — Verb · Qal · sequential perfect third person common pluralHc/Vqq3cp
ra'-di-ant (nahar, "to sparkle" i.e. (figurative) be cheerful; hence (from the sheen of a running stream), to flow, i.e. (figurative) assemble; flow (together), be lightened): the American Standard Revised Version substitutes the active "radiant" for the passive "were lightened" in Ps 34:5; Isa 60:5 (English Revised Version, the King James Version "flow together"). As the earth and moon, both being dark, face a common sun and lighten each other, they are not only lightened, but radiant. So with the believers, "They looked unto him (Yahweh), and were radiant." Thus nahar combines the two ideas of being lightened and flowing together. This appears, also, in a different connection, in Isa 60:5, "Then thou shalt see and be…
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
HC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3mp
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)
1a) do not, let not (with a verb)
1b) let there not be (with a verb understood)
1c) not, no (with substantive)
1d) nothing (as substantive)
Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
HTn — ParticleHTn
חָפֵר (chapher) is a Hebrew verb meaning to be abashed or ashamed. It can refer to feeling embarrassed or confounded, and in the Hiphil form, it indicates causing someone else to feel shame. The word is built from a primitive root related to detection, emphasizing the emotional response of shame.
[חָפֵר] vb. be abashed, ashamed
Qal be abashed, ashamed
Hiph. display shame
base
H2659 חָפֵר be abashed, ashamed
2659 chapher khaw-fare'
a primitive root (perhaps rath. the same as 2658 through the
idea of detection): to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed,
disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach:--be ashamed, be
confounded, be brought to confusion (unto shame), come (be put
to) shame, bring reproach.
see HEBREW for 02658
חָפֵר (cha.pher) — be ashamed.
1) to be ashamed, be confounded, be abashed, feel abashed
1a) (Qal) to be ashamed, be abashed
1b) (Hiphil) to display shame, demonstrate shame, cause embarrassment
HVqj3mp — Verb · Qal · jussive third person masculine pluralHVqj3mp
