Question 1

What does Psalms 118:25 mean?

Accepted Answer

Psalms 118:25 is a heartfelt prayer asking God to save and bring success or well-being. The speaker urgently calls out to the LORD, pleading for rescue and for prosperity to come quickly. In this verse, the psalmist is addressing God directly, using repetition for emphasis. The setting is one of public worship or celebration, likely during a festival in ancient Israel. The request for salvation and prosperity reflects both a need for deliverance from trouble and a hope for God’s blessing on the people’s future.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Psalms 118:25

Accepted Answer

"Save" (יָשַׁע, yashaʿ): This word means to rescue or deliver, often used in the sense of God saving people from danger or distress. Here, it is a direct plea for God’s intervention. "Beseech" (אָנָּא, ʾanna): This is a strong, urgent request, expressing deep need or desperation. The repetition in the verse highlights the intensity of the prayer. "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the special name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a personal relationship and covenant with Israel. "Prosperity" (צָלַח, tsalach): This word means success, progress, or well-being. The psalmist is not just asking for rescue from trouble, but also for positive outcomes and flourishing.

Question 3

Why Psalms 118:25 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse is the source of the word "Hosanna," a term used in later Jewish and Christian traditions as a cry for help and praise. The verse connects personal and communal needs, showing that prayers for salvation and prosperity were part of public worship. By repeating both the plea and God’s name, the verse emphasizes urgency and dependence on God alone for rescue and blessing.

Psalms 118:25 (KJV)