The Meaning of Psalms 12:5 Explained

Psalms 12:5

KJV: For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

YLT: Because of the spoiling of the poor, Because of the groaning of the needy, Now do I arise, saith Jehovah, I set in safety him who doth breathe for it.

Darby: Because of the oppression of the afflicted, because of the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith Jehovah, I will set him in safety, at whom they puff.

ASV: Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, Now will I arise, saith Jehovah; I will set him in the safety he panteth for.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For the oppression  of the poor,  for the sighing  of the needy,  now will I arise,  saith  the LORD;  I will set  [him] in safety  [from him that] puffeth  at him. 

What does Psalms 12:5 Mean?

Verse Meaning

We do not know how David received the assurance that God would deal with the liars that troubled him. It was a prophetic insight, and it may have come directly from God or through another prophet. However, in view of the verses that follow, the psalmist perceived it as an authoritative promise from God. This is the first of several psalms that contain an answering oracle from the Lord (cf. Psalm 60 , 81 , 95).

Context Summary

Psalms 12:1-8 - God Our Refuge And Defense
The first of these is a debate between fear and faith, and dates from Saul's persecutions. Timid friends, anxious for David's safety, urged him to flee to the mountains. Such counsels of expediency are frequently given to the servants of God, Nehemiah 6:1-19. Luther's diaries are full of such references. But unless our duty is performed, we must stand our ground; we "can do no other." We must remember that God's love is with us, and that He always exchanges glances of love with His suffering ones. Compare Psalms 11:7 with Exodus 3:7.
The opening words of the next psalm appeal for help in bad and evil days. See Micah 7:2. A double heart is literally "a heart and a heart," Psalms 12:2. Let us be true in act and speech, else we forfeit the Spirit of truth, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9. Our sighing will make God arise, Acts 7:56. We shall be helped and kept, Psalms 12:7 and Isaiah 54:17. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 12

1  David, destitute of human comfort, craves help of God
3  He comforts himself with God's promises, and his judgments on the wicked

What do the individual words in Psalms 12:5 mean?

For the oppression of the poor for the groaning of the needy now I will arise says Yahweh I will set [him] in the safety for which yearns he
מִשֹּׁ֥ד עֲנִיִּים֮ מֵאַנְקַ֪ת אֶבְי֫וֹנִ֥ים עַתָּ֣ה אָ֭קוּם יֹאמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אָשִׁ֥ית בְּ֝יֵ֗שַׁע יָפִ֥יחַֽ לֽוֹ

מִשֹּׁ֥ד  For  the  oppression 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֹׁד  
Sense: havoc, violence, destruction, devastation, ruin.
עֲנִיִּים֮  of  the  poor 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: עָנִי  
Sense: poor, afflicted, humble, wretched.
מֵאַנְקַ֪ת  for  the  groaning 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: אֲנָקָה  
Sense: crying, groaning, lamentation.
אֶבְי֫וֹנִ֥ים  of  the  needy 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֶבְיׄון  
Sense: in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person.
עַתָּ֣ה  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
אָ֭קוּם  I  will  arise 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: קוּם 
Sense: to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up.
יֹאמַ֣ר  says 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֑ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אָשִׁ֥ית  I  will  set  [him] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: שִׁית  
Sense: to put, set.
בְּ֝יֵ֗שַׁע  in  the  safety 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יֵשַׁע  
Sense: deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare.
יָפִ֥יחַֽ  for  which  yearns 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פּוּחַ 
Sense: to breathe, blow.