Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

PSALMS 132:9KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 132:9 (KJV)

What does Psalms 132:9 mean?

Psalms 132:9 is a prayer asking that the priests be covered with righteousness and that the faithful people rejoice. The verse expresses a desire for those who serve God to live rightly and for the community of believers to celebrate with gladness.

This verse is part of a psalm recalling God's promises to David and the importance of worship at the temple. The speaker is likely addressing God, asking for blessings on the priests (those who lead worship) and the "saints" (the faithful people). The verse highlights the hope that those serving in God's house will be marked by moral integrity, and that the whole community will respond with joyful praise.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 132:9

  • "Priests" (כֹּהֲנֶיךָ, kohanekha): This word refers specifically to those set apart for religious service in Israel, emphasizing their special role in leading worship and sacrifices.
  • "Clothed" (יִלְבְּשׁוּ, yilbeshu): This verb means to be dressed or covered, here used figuratively to ask that the priests' lives be wrapped in righteousness, not just their outer garments.
  • "Righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word means uprightness or justice, pointing to the hope that the priests' actions and character will match their sacred duties.
  • "Saints" (חֲסִידֶיךָ, chasidekha): This term often means "faithful ones" or "devout people," highlighting those who are loyal to God.
  • "Joy" (רָנָן, ranan): This word means to shout or sing for joy, suggesting a loud, public expression of happiness among God's people.

Why Psalms 132:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that righteousness is not just a private quality but something visible and essential for leaders in worship, shaping the whole community.
  • The pairing of priestly righteousness and communal joy shows that spiritual integrity and celebration go hand in hand in the life of God's people.
  • This request connects to the larger theme of Psalms 132, which centers on God's promises to David and the desire for God's presence and blessing in the temple.

Where else these words appear

“saints” Hebrew H2623 · used in 32 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
  • Psalms 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
  • Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

“joy” Hebrew H7442 · used in 52 verses

  • Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
  • Psalms 81:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
  • Isaiah 24:14 They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.

“clothed” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.