King James Version

What Does Psalms 72:14 Mean?

Psalms 72:14 in the King James Version says “He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 72 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.”

Psalms 72:14 · KJV

Context

12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13

He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

14

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. shall be given: Heb. one shall give

16

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

Read Psalms 72 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king redeems lives 'from deceit and violence,' recognizing that the vulnerable face both fraud and force. 'Precious shall their blood be in his sight' affirms the high value God places on each person, especially the despised. Where the world views the poor as expendable, God sees them as precious. Christ demonstrated this by dying for sinners—those of no apparent worth became infinitely valuable through His sacrifice (Romans 5:8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient society, the poor's blood was cheap—they could be exploited or killed with little consequence. God's king inverts this, making even the lowliest person's life precious and worthy of protection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that you're 'precious' in God's sight affect your self-understanding?
  2. From what 'deceit and violence' has Christ redeemed you spiritually?
  3. How can you demonstrate that others' lives are 'precious' through your actions and advocacy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
מִתּ֣וֹךְ1 of 7

“from deceit”

H8496

oppression

וּ֭מֵחָמָס2 of 7

“and violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

יִגְאַ֣ל3 of 7

“He shall redeem”

H1350

to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido

נַפְשָׁ֑ם4 of 7

“their soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וְיֵיקַ֖ר5 of 7

“and precious”

H3365

properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)

דָּמָ֣ם6 of 7

“shall their blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

בְּעֵינָֽיו׃7 of 7

“be in his sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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 72:14 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 72:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 116:15Revelation 19:2Psalms 69:18Luke 1:68-751 Thessalonians 2:15-16Revelation 17:6

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