King James Version

What Does Psalms 60:5 Mean?

Psalms 60:5 in the King James Version says “That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 60 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 60:5 · KJV

Salvation

Context

3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

4

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

5

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

6

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

7

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. This verse shifts from corporate observation about God's banner (v.4) to personal and corporate prayer for deliverance. It expresses the purpose for which the banner is given and appeals to God's saving power to accomplish that purpose. The verse connects God's truth (v.4) with His people's need for deliverance.

"That thy beloved may be delivered" (lema'an yechaltezun yedidekha, לְמַעַן יֵחָלְצוּן יְדִידֶיךָ) states the purpose. "That" (lema'an) indicates purpose, aim, result—everything previously stated serves this goal. "Thy beloved" (yedidekha, יְדִידֶיךָ) is plural, referring to God's beloved people collectively. Yedid means beloved, loved one, darling—a term of intimate affection. Israel is God's beloved, not because of merit but because of divine election and covenant love.

This word yedid has special significance. Solomon was called Jedidiah ("beloved of Yahweh," 2 Samuel 12:25). The term emphasizes not merely God's general love for humanity but His particular covenant love for His chosen people. Being God's beloved isn't sentimental feeling but covenantal relationship—God has bound Himself in love to His people despite their unfaithfulness.

"May be delivered" (yechaltezun, יֵחָלְצוּן) means to be rescued, saved, pulled out of danger, delivered from enemies. The verb form indicates passive—being acted upon by another. God's beloved don't deliver themselves but receive deliverance. This acknowledges human inability and divine capability—only God can rescue His people from the overwhelming opposition they face.

"Save with thy right hand" (hoshi'ah yeminekha, הוֹשִׁיעָה יְמִינֶךָ) appeals to God's powerful intervention. The "right hand" throughout Scripture symbolizes power, authority, strength. Exodus 15:6 celebrates: "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." Appealing to God's right hand is appealing to His mighty power to save.

"And hear me" (va'aneni, וַעֲנֵנִי) shifts to individual, personal plea. After corporate prayer ("thy beloved... may be delivered"), David personalizes: "hear ME." This movement from corporate to individual reflects Hebrew thought where individual and community are deeply interconnected. David as king represents his people; their deliverance and his are bound together. The personal plea grounds corporate prayer in individual relationship with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of Israel as God's beloved pervades Old Testament theology. God declared to Israel: 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee' (Jeremiah 31:3). This love wasn't based on Israel's superiority or worthiness but on God's sovereign choice and covenant commitment. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 explains: 'The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people... But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers.'

The appeal to God's 'right hand' echoes exodus traditions. When Israel crossed the Red Sea, Moses sang: 'Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy' (Exodus 15:6). Throughout Israel's history, appeals to God's right hand recalled this foundational deliverance. If God's right hand could part seas and drown Pharaoh's army, it could certainly deliver from Edom and Aram.

Historically, this psalm emerges from the period when David consolidated his kingdom and extended Israel's borders through military campaigns. These weren't wars of aggression but defensive actions against surrounding nations who threatened Israel. David understood these conflicts in theological terms—not merely political or military ventures but occasions for demonstrating Yahweh's power and faithfulness to His covenant people.

The shift from corporate to individual prayer reflects David's role as king and representative of his people. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the king embodied the nation. His victory was their victory; his defeat, theirs. When David prayed 'hear me,' he prayed as representative of Israel, not merely as private individual. This prefigures Christ's representative role as King who stands in place of His people.

For New Testament believers, being God's beloved finds ultimate expression in Christ. Ephesians 1:6 declares believers are 'accepted in the beloved'—referring to Christ as God's beloved Son (Matthew 3:17) and believers as beloved in Him through union with Christ. The Father's love for the Son extends to all who are 'in Christ,' making them beloved children adopted into God's family.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to be God's 'beloved' (not just generically loved but specifically chosen in covenant love), and how does this identity shape confidence in prayer?
  2. How does recognizing that deliverance is passive (being delivered by another) rather than active (delivering oneself) humble us and direct us to dependence on God?
  3. Why does the psalmist appeal to God's 'right hand' (power, strength), and how does remembering God's mighty acts in the past strengthen faith for present needs?
  4. What is the relationship between corporate prayer ('thy beloved may be delivered') and personal prayer ('hear me'), and why are both necessary?
  5. How can believers today experience being 'beloved' of God in deeply personal ways, and how does this belovedness provide security during times of threat or defeat?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
לְ֭מַעַן1 of 6
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יֵחָלְצ֣וּן2 of 6

“may be delivered”

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

יְדִידֶ֑יךָ3 of 6

“That thy beloved”

H3039

loved

הוֹשִׁ֖יעָה4 of 6

“save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

יְמִֽינְךָ֣5 of 6

“with thy right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וַעֲנֵֽנִו׃6 of 6

“and hear”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 60:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 60:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 41:10Psalms 17:7Exodus 15:6Psalms 108:6-13Psalms 18:35Matthew 17:5

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