Psalms 118:15

KJV

The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

KJV (with Strong's)

The voice {H6963} of rejoicing {H7440} and salvation {H3444} is in the tabernacles {H168} of the righteous {H6662}: the right hand {H3225} of the LORD {H3068} doeth {H6213} valiantly {H2428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sound of rejoicing and victory is heard in the tents of the righteous: "ADONAI's right hand struck powerfully!

Berean Standard Bible

Shouts of joy and salvation resound in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the LORD performs with valor!

American Standard Version

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 118:15 resounds as a triumphant declaration of the profound joy and victorious salvation that permeate the dwellings of those who live in faithful relationship with God. It paints a vivid auditory and spatial picture of celebratory praise and thanksgiving, directly attributing this exultation to the mighty, decisive, and unwavering actions of the Lord's powerful right hand, underscoring His sovereign intervention and faithfulness in delivering His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 118 serves as the grand finale of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118), a collection of psalms traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals, most notably Passover. This psalm, likely a communal or royal psalm of thanksgiving, chronicles a powerful journey from deep affliction and encirclement by enemies to glorious deliverance and triumphant praise. The preceding verses vividly depict the psalmist's desperate cry to the Lord from a place of confinement and the Lord's swift, liberating response, emphasizing His unfailing help against formidable adversaries ([Psalm 118:5-7](/psalms/118-5-7 "Psalm 118:5-7 - The Lord's Deliverance from Distress")). Therefore, Psalms 118:15 emerges as the joyful culmination and public testimony of God's powerful intervention, a celebratory anthem echoing the victory secured after a period of intense struggle and oppression, building upon the declaration that "The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation" ([Psalm 118:14](/psalms/118-14 "Psalm 118:14 - The Lord as Strength and Salvation")). The verse thus marks a transition from the experience of distress to the public proclamation of God's saving acts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 118 is deeply rooted in Israel's foundational experiences of divine deliverance. The "Egyptian Hallel" itself commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, a monumental act of salvation where God's "right hand" was famously displayed in overwhelming power against Pharaoh and his army ([Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand in Victory")). The "tabernacles" (Hebrew: _’ōhel_) in this context refer to the private dwellings or homes of the people, not exclusively the Mosaic Tabernacle or the later Temple. This highlights that God's salvation is not merely a national or public event confined to sacred spaces but permeates and transforms the personal, domestic spheres of believers' lives, making every home a potential sanctuary of praise. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the "right hand" was universally recognized as the symbol of strength, authority, honor, and effective action. Thus, "the right hand of the LORD" is a powerful anthropomorphism signifying God's direct, irresistible, and victorious power in action, a concept immediately understood by the original audience as a demonstration of divine omnipotence.
* **Key Themes:** Several profound themes converge and find expression in Psalms 118:15. Central among them is the theme of **Divine Deliverance and Salvation**, which is the direct and undeniable cause of the "voice of rejoicing." God's intervention is not passive but active, decisive, and complete, bringing about comprehensive rescue. This is intrinsically linked to the theme of **God's Sovereign Power**, specifically manifested through "the right hand of the LORD," which symbolizes His omnipotence and His ability to overcome any obstacle, ensuring triumph. The phrase "doeth valiantly" underscores His heroic, effective, and successful deeds, affirming His active role in history. Furthermore, the verse highlights **Joy and Thanksgiving as a Righteous Response** to God's saving acts. The "voice of rejoicing" signifies a communal and individual outpouring of praise, gratitude, and worship that fills the homes of the faithful. Finally, the mention of "the tabernacles of the righteous" emphasizes that God's blessings and the resultant joy are specifically experienced and celebrated within the lives and homes of those who walk in covenant faithfulness with Him, making their dwellings places of testimony to His saving power, as seen in the broader call to trust in the Lord found throughout the psalm ([Psalm 118:8-9](/psalms/118-8-9 "Psalm 118:8-9 - Trusting in the Lord Rather Than Man")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tabernacles (Hebrew, _ʼôhel'_):** From H168, this word primarily refers to "a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent." In the context of Psalms 118:15, "tabernacles" signifies the private dwellings or homes of individuals. This choice of word emphasizes that the joy and salvation proclaimed are not restricted to public worship or national gatherings but pervade the private, everyday lives and domestic spheres of God's people. It suggests a pervasive atmosphere of divine blessing and celebration within the family unit and household, making each home a place of testimony.
* **Right hand (Hebrew, _yâmîyn'_):** From H3225, this term denotes "the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south." When applied to the LORD, "right hand" functions as a powerful **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic to God. It symbolizes His active, effective, and irresistible power, His sovereign might that accomplishes His purposes and brings about victory and salvation. It is a vivid metaphor for His omnipotence and decisive intervention, not a literal physical attribute.
* **Valiantly (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** From H2428, this word describes "a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength; able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily)." When used in conjunction with God's right hand, "valiantly" describes His deeds as heroic, effective, and triumphantly successful. It implies a powerful, decisive, and successful intervention that overcomes all opposition and secures a complete victory, bringing about the desired outcome of salvation and deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous:"**: This clause sets the scene, establishing the atmosphere and location of the post-deliverance celebration. The "voice" indicates an audible, communal expression of profound joy and gratitude, signifying open and uninhibited praise. This joy is directly linked to "salvation" (Hebrew: _yᵉshûwʻâh_), which encompasses deliverance, rescue, aid, victory, and welfare. The source of this jubilant sound is found "in the tabernacles of the righteous," meaning the homes and private dwellings of those who are in right relationship with God, living justly and faithfully. It paints a vivid picture of homes filled with the sounds of praise and testimony to God's saving acts, a domestic echo of public worship and national deliverance.
* **"the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly."**: This clause provides the theological explanation and ultimate cause for the rejoicing described in the first part of the verse. The "right hand of the LORD" is the divine agent, symbolizing God's active power, sovereign authority, and irresistible might. The verb "doeth" (Hebrew: _ʻâsâh_) signifies to "do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application," indicating active accomplishment. The adverb "valiantly" (Hebrew: _chayil_) describes the nature of God's actions: they are powerful, courageous, effective, and decisively triumphant. This affirms that the salvation and joy experienced by the righteous are not coincidental or self-generated but are the direct, intentional, and mighty work of God Himself, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His people and His ability to secure victory against all odds.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 118:15 employs several impactful literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in "the right hand of the LORD," attributing a human body part to God to powerfully convey His active, personal, and irresistible strength and authority. This is not meant literally but serves as a vivid metaphor for His omnipotence and decisive intervention in human affairs. **Metonymy** is evident in "the voice of rejoicing and salvation," where "voice" stands for the people who are expressing these emotions, and "salvation" represents the experience of being saved and the resulting state of well-being. The verse also utilizes strong **Imagery**, painting a vibrant auditory and spatial picture of homes resounding with celebratory sounds, contrasting with the unseen but powerfully active "right hand" of God. While not a strict parallelism, there is a clear **Cause-and-Effect Relationship** established: the valiant acts of the Lord's right hand are the direct cause of the rejoicing and salvation found in the dwellings of the righteous, creating a theological chain of divine action leading to human response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the direct and undeniable link between God's mighty acts of salvation and the resultant joy and praise in the lives of His people. It underscores that true rejoicing is not a superficial emotion but a deep, Spirit-wrought response to the tangible reality of God's delivering power. The "tabernacles of the righteous" become sanctuaries of celebration, testifying to a God who actively intervenes on behalf of those who trust and obey Him, transforming their private spaces into arenas of public testimony. This passage invites believers to recognize God's ongoing work in their lives, fostering an atmosphere of profound gratitude that extends from corporate worship into the very fabric of their homes and daily existence, demonstrating that God's presence brings not only security but also an overflowing, uncontainable joy that cannot be silenced.

* [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand in Victory")
* [Psalm 20:6](/psalms/20-6 "Psalm 20:6 - God Saves by His Right Hand")
* [Psalm 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 118:15 serves as a profound and challenging reminder that our homes and personal lives are meant to be vibrant centers of praise and testimony to God's saving power. It calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's sovereignty and to actively cultivate an atmosphere where His mighty acts are acknowledged, celebrated, and declared. In a world often filled with anxiety, despair, and division, this verse compels us to intentionally infuse our dwellings with the "voice of rejoicing and salvation," making them beacons of hope, gratitude, and divine presence. It encourages us to trust implicitly in the "right hand of the LORD" even in the face of daunting challenges, knowing that His power is not theoretical but demonstrably "doeth valiantly" in our lives, bringing about deliverance and victory. Let our personal spaces become living testaments to God's faithfulness, echoing with the sounds of His praise, transforming our everyday experiences into opportunities for worship and witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I more intentionally cultivate a "voice of rejoicing and salvation" within my own home and personal life, making it a place of consistent praise?**
* **In what specific, tangible ways have I recently witnessed the "right hand of the LORD" act valiantly in my circumstances or the lives of those around me?**
* **What does it truly mean for my dwelling to be a "tabernacle of the righteous," and how can I better align my daily choices and family life with this description?**
* **How does the certainty of God's valiant power, as described in this verse, impact my response to current struggles, anxieties, or perceived limitations?**

### FAQ

**What does "tabernacles of the righteous" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In Psalms 118:15, "tabernacles" (Hebrew: _’ōhel_) refers to the private dwellings or homes of individuals, rather than the specific Mosaic Tabernacle or the later Temple. The phrase "tabernacles of the righteous" therefore denotes the homes or habitations of those who live in right relationship with God—those who trust Him, obey His commands, and seek to live according to His will. It emphasizes that God's salvation and the resulting joy are not confined to public worship or national events but permeate the personal, domestic spheres of believers' lives. It signifies that the presence of God's blessing and the celebration of His deliverance are found within the very households of those who are faithful to Him, making their homes places where the "voice of rejoicing and salvation" is heard as a constant testimony to His goodness.

**How does God's "right hand" perform actions, as described here?**

Answer: The phrase "the right hand of the LORD" is a powerful biblical **anthropomorphism**, meaning it attributes a human characteristic (a hand) to God to describe His divine actions. It is not to be understood literally, as God is Spirit and does not have a physical body. Instead, the "right hand" symbolizes God's active power, strength, authority, and decisive intervention. In ancient cultures, the right hand was universally associated with power, honor, and effective action (e.g., [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - Not by Their Own Arm")). Therefore, when the Bible speaks of the "right hand of the LORD" acting valiantly, it signifies God's omnipotent and sovereign might being deployed to achieve His purposes, particularly in delivering His people, overcoming enemies, and securing victory. It underscores His direct, irresistible, and triumphant involvement in human affairs, as seen throughout scripture, from the parting of the Red Sea ([Exodus 15:12](/exodus/15-12 "Exodus 15:12 - God's Right Hand Swallows the Earth")) to the establishment of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 118:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "right hand of the LORD" that "doeth valiantly" points directly to the triumphant power of God manifested in the resurrection and exaltation of Christ. It was by the mighty power of God that Jesus was raised from the dead and seated at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places ([Ephesians 1:20](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20 - Christ Seated at God's Right Hand")), signifying His supreme authority and victory over sin, death, and all spiritual powers ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Exaltation of Christ")). The "salvation" celebrated in the tabernacles of the righteous is fully realized in Christ, who is our complete deliverance from the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Deliverance from Darkness")). Through faith in Him, believers are justified and reconciled to God, experiencing a peace and joy that the world cannot give ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace and Joy through Faith")). Moreover, the "tabernacles of the righteous" now find their spiritual reality in believers themselves, who, through Christ, become temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Thus, the "voice of rejoicing and salvation" is heard in the hearts and lives of all who are in Christ, as the Spirit bears witness to their adoption as children of God, filling them with an inexpressible and glorious joy ([1 Peter 1:8-9](/1_peter/1-8-9 "1 Peter 1:8-9 - Joy in Salvation")). The valiant acts of God's right hand culminate in the redemptive work of Christ, making every believer's life a dwelling place where the triumphant echoes of His finished work resound.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 89:13

Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, [and] high is thy right hand.

Acts 2:46

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Psalms 60:12

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.

Exodus 15:6

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Luke 1:51

He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Psalms 98:1

¶ A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.