Psalms 118:25
Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 118:25
Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easily missed here is that the word translated as "now" isn't about time at all; it's a particle of intense pleading, like saying "please" or "do grant." This isn't just a wish for future help, but an urgent, immediate plea for God to act and continue the saving and prosperity He's already begun.
This verse bursts forth as a fervent cry during a triumphal procession, likely celebrating a king's victory or coronation. It follows the people's insistence on opening the gates of righteousness, and anticipates the king's own declaration of praise. The plea isn't just for a one-time rescue, but for ongoing divine favor and success in the King's reign, reflecting a deep dependence on God's continued help.
Ever feel like you're just barely hanging on, hoping God will step in? This verse captures that exact feeling, but with a powerful twist.
The repeated phrase "Save us, we pray" (or "Hosanna") isn't just a polite request; it's an urgent cry born out of a deep understanding of our own limitations. The people are acknowledging that their well-being, their very survival, is entirely dependent on God's active intervention.
Constant Need
It highlights a fundamental truth: even when things seem to be going well, or after God has already done great things, humanity's need for divine help is constant. It's not just for moments of crisis, but a continuous reliance on God's saving power to navigate life.
'Now' Means Urgency
The word often translated as 'now' here isn't about time, but about the intensity of the plea. It’s like saying, 'Save us, please, right now, with all our might!' It’s a plea for immediate, decisive action.
We often wish our leaders or even ourselves 'good luck.' But this verse prays for something far more profound and specific.
The second part of the verse, 'O LORD, we pray, give us success!' is tied to the context of a king or a leader being established or facing challenges. The prayer isn't for random good fortune, but for God to actively cause success.
Divine Enablement
'Success' here means God enabling the king to achieve his God-appointed tasks. It's about God’s blessing on righteous endeavors, ensuring victory over enemies and the prosperity of His people under that leadership.
A Pattern for Christ
This prayer finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. His 'success' is the spread of His kingdom, the salvation of souls, and His ultimate reign. When we pray for success in this sense, we're echoing the ancient prayer that God’s purposes would be accomplished through His chosen King.
Understand the original words
yasha · Hebrew Verb
An urgent plea for divine intervention, deliverance, or rescue; famously echoed in the New Testament as 'Hosanna' (Hoshana).
na · Hebrew Particle (interjection)
An earnest request or petition, often directed toward God, acknowledging dependence on His favor and sovereign will.
tsalach · Hebrew Verb
To experience divine favor, breakthrough, or the successful outcome of an endeavor through God's blessing rather than human merit alone.
The cry "Save us, O LORD!" and "Send us success!" from Psalm 118 isn't just a general plea; it's deeply rooted in Israel's history of hardship, exile, and rebuilding. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the crowds were invoking this very song, seeing in Him the hope for national deliverance and God's ongoing favor.
c. 1000 BC
David United as King
After a long struggle, David was finally acknowledged as king over all Israel, a time of national unity and hope.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Dedicated
The magnificent Temple in Jerusalem was dedicated, symbolizing God's presence with His people and a focal point for worship and national identity.
722 BC
Northern Kingdom of Israel Falls
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom, scattering its people and serving as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire began deporting Judean elites to Babylon, marking the start of the exile and a time of national crisis.
This passage directly connects the cry of 'Hosanna' in the streets of Jerusalem to this very plea in Psalms, showing how ancient prayers for salvation and success echo in the life of Jesus.
John 12:13This verse further reinforces the link to the Palm Sunday event, highlighting the crowd's use of 'Hosanna' as they recognized Jesus' coming, echoing the petition for divine intervention and blessing.
Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah's prayer for success in rebuilding Jerusalem uses almost identical phrasing ('prosper now your servant'), demonstrating a deep-seated biblical theme of asking God for success in His work through His people.
Jeremiah 31:7This prophetic passage calls for 'singing with gladness' for the remnant saved by the LORD, connecting the idea of salvation with joyful praise and a prayer for continued well-being.
Ezra 3:11The builders of the second temple shouted praises and thanksgivings to the LORD, linking the completion of God's work with acclamations of salvation and prosperity, echoing the spirit of Psalm 118:25.
pulpitPsalms 118:25: "Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity."
Verse 25. - Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord; or, "we beseech thee." The interjectional אנא is as suitable to the several speakers as to one. O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity; i.e. continue to save, continue to send prosperity. Israel feels its constant dependence upon God, and that if the Divine care were remitted for a day, or for an hour, all would be lost. Tears, as Professor Cheyne ob…
clarkePsalms 118:25: "Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity."
Save now, I beseech thee - These words were sung by the Jews on the feast of tabernacles, when carrying green branches in their hands; and from the הושיעה נא hoshiah nna, we have the word hosanna. This was sung by the Jewish children when Christ made his public entry into Jerusalem. See Matthew 21:9 (note), and see the note there, in which the word and the circumstance are both explained.
What's easily missed here is that the word translated as "now" isn't about time at all; it's a particle of intense pleading, like saying "please" or "do grant." This isn't just a wish for future help, but an urgent, immediate plea for God to act and continue the saving and prosperity He's already begun.
This verse bursts forth as a fervent cry during a triumphal procession, likely celebrating a king's victory or coronation. It follows the people's insistence on opening the gates of righteousness, and anticipates the king's own declaration of praise. The plea isn't just for a one-time rescue, but for ongoing divine favor and success in the King's reign, reflecting a deep dependence on God's continued help.
This verse bursts forth as a fervent cry during a triumphal procession, likely celebrating a king's victory or coronation. It follows the people's insistence on opening the gates of righteousness, and anticipates the king's own declaration of praise. The plea isn't just for a one-time rescue, but for ongoing divine favor and success in the King's reign, reflecting a deep dependence on God's continued help.
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586 BC
Fall and Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to the exile of most of the remaining population and a profound spiritual low point.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
After returning from exile, the Jewish people, under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah, rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Public Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus entered Jerusalem welcomed by crowds shouting "Hosanna!" (Save now!), a phrase directly echoing this Psalm and linking it to messianic hopes.
"Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!" — What's easily missed here is that the word translated as "now" isn't about time at all; it's a particle of intense pleading, like saying "please" or "do grant." This isn't just a wish for future help…