That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

PSALMS 60:5KJV
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Psalms 60:5 (KJV)

What does Psalms 60:5 mean?

Psalms 60:5 is a prayer asking God to rescue and protect those He loves, pleading for deliverance and salvation through God's powerful intervention. The speaker appeals to God to act on behalf of His "beloved," asking for help and assurance that God hears the prayer.

In this verse, King David is speaking to God during a time of national crisis or military trouble. David refers to the people as God's "beloved," showing a close relationship and dependence on God's care. The verse highlights a sense of urgency and trust, as David asks for deliverance by God's "right hand," a symbol of strength and authority, and for God to respond to his plea.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 60:5

  • "Beloved" (יָדִיד yadid): This word means someone dearly loved or cherished. By using it, David emphasizes the special relationship between God and His people, not just a general group but those God holds close.
  • "Delivered" (פָּלַט palat): This word carries the sense of being rescued from danger. It shows that the request is not just for help, but for a complete escape from real threat.
  • "Save" (יָשַׁע yasha): This is a strong word for salvation or deliverance, often used when asking God to intervene in desperate situations.
  • "Hand" (יָמִין yamin): Refers to the right hand, which in Hebrew thought is the hand of power and action. Asking for salvation by God's right hand is asking for God's strongest, most decisive help.
  • "Hear" (עָנָה anah): This word means to answer or respond, not just to listen. David is asking for an active response from God, not just that God would hear his words.

Why Psalms 60:5 matters

  • Psalms 60:5 shows that God's people are described as "beloved," highlighting a personal and caring relationship, not just a formal or distant one.
  • The verse connects the need for deliverance directly to God's power and willingness to act, reminding readers that help is sought from God’s own strength, not human effort.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, framing the struggles and requests as coming from those whom God loves and is committed to, which shapes how the entire passage is understood.

Where else these words appear

“beloved” Hebrew H3039 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.
  • Psalms 84:1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
  • Psalms 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

“delivered” Hebrew H2502 · used in 44 verses

  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Joshua 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 2:19 Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.