Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

PSALMS 70:4KJV
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Psalms 70:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 70:4 mean?

Psalms 70:4 calls on everyone who seeks God to rejoice and be glad in Him, and urges those who love God's salvation to keep declaring, “Let God be magnified.” The verse highlights joy and praise as fitting responses for people who earnestly look for God and value His saving help.

In this psalm, David is speaking, likely during a time of personal distress, asking God for help. Here, he shifts focus from his own need to the wider community of believers, encouraging them to celebrate God’s greatness. The verse emphasizes that seeking God and loving His salvation naturally lead to heartfelt praise.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 70:4

  • "Seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search for or desire earnestly. It suggests an active, ongoing effort to find God, not just a casual interest.
  • "Rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach) and "be glad" (שָׂשָׂ, sas): Both words express deep, genuine happiness, but "be glad" often carries the sense of exultation or delight. The pairing stresses a full-hearted, joyful response.
  • "Love" (אָהַב, ahav): This word describes a deep affection or devotion, not just a passing feeling. It highlights a strong attachment to God’s salvation.
  • "Salvation" (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshuah): This word refers to rescue, deliverance, or saving help, often with the sense of God’s intervention in trouble.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is a common Hebrew word for God, emphasizing His power and majesty.
  • "Magnified" (גָּדַל, gadal): To magnify means to make great or declare as great. Here, it means to honor or praise God’s greatness openly and continually.

Why Psalms 70:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that joy and praise are not just private feelings but are meant to be expressed openly, especially by those who have experienced God’s help.
  • The focus on seeking and loving God’s salvation shows that true worship flows from a real relationship with God, not just ritual or duty.
  • By urging continual praise, the verse connects personal faith with public testimony, encouraging believers to keep God’s greatness at the center of their lives and words.

Where else these words appear

“rejoice” Hebrew H7797 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
  • Isaiah 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

“salvation” Hebrew H3444 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
  • Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
  • Psalms 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

“magnified” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.