Psalms 34:5

KJV

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

KJV (with Strong's)

They looked {H5027} unto him, and were lightened {H5102}: and their faces {H6440} were not ashamed {H2659}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They looked to him and grew radiant; their faces will never blush for shame.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

American Standard Version

They looked unto him, and were radiant; And their faces shall never be confounded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 34:5 offers a profound promise to those who seek the Lord: a transformative experience of divine illumination and deliverance from shame. It portrays a dynamic interaction where the act of turning one's gaze toward God results in an inner and outer radiance, signifying spiritual clarity, joy, and vindication, assuring believers that their trust in Him will never lead to disappointment or disgrace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 34 is a psalm of thanksgiving and wisdom, attributed to David. It follows the preceding verses (Psalms 34:1-4) where David personally testifies to the Lord's goodness and his own experience of seeking God and being answered. He declares his intention to bless the Lord at all times and invites others to magnify Him with him. Verse 5 then extends this personal testimony into a general principle, inviting all who look to God to experience the same deliverance and joy that David found. The psalm continues with an exhortation to fear the Lord and a description of the blessings that follow those who do, contrasting the righteous with the wicked.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalm 34 links it to David's feigning madness before Abimelech (Achish, king of Gath) as recounted in [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "David's Escape from Achish, King of Gath"). In a moment of extreme peril, David, rather than relying on his own strength or cunning, turned to God, and God delivered him. The psalm, therefore, emerges from a crucible of fear and desperation, transforming into a song of profound gratitude and a public declaration of God's faithfulness. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, "shame" was a powerful social and personal concept, often associated with public disgrace, failure, or being exposed as weak or foolish. To be "not ashamed" meant to be vindicated, honored, and to hold one's head high, reflecting a restored reputation and divine approval.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 34 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is the **sovereignty and faithfulness of God** in delivering those who trust Him. It underscores the **power of seeking God** through prayer and dependence, emphasizing that God is responsive to the cries of the afflicted, as seen in David's own testimony in [Psalms 34:4](/psalms/34-4 "David's Testimony of Seeking the Lord"). The theme of **divine illumination** is also prominent, with "lightened" symbolizing spiritual understanding, joy, and guidance that dispels the darkness of distress. Finally, the promise of **vindication and freedom from shame** highlights God's commitment to upholding the righteous and ensuring that those who put their hope in Him will not be disappointed or disgraced, echoing the broader biblical promise that [whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame](/romans/10-11 "Romans 10:11 - Belief and No Shame").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lightened (Hebrew, _nāhar'_):** The verb נָהַר (_nāhar_) means "to stream, to flow, to shine, to be radiant." It conveys the idea of an outward emanation of light or brightness. In this context, it suggests an internal transformation that manifests externally, indicating joy, clarity, understanding, or even a divine glow that comes from encountering God's presence. It implies being enlightened by God's truth, having burdens lifted, and experiencing a sense of hope and clarity that dispels the darkness of distress or confusion.
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _ḥāp̄ēr'_):** The verb חָפֵר (_ḥāp̄ēr_) means "to be confounded, disappointed, put to shame, or disgraced." It denotes a state of humiliation, often public, resulting from failure, exposure, or unmet expectations. The negation "not ashamed" therefore signifies the opposite: vindication, honor, confidence, and the fulfillment of hope. It implies that those who look to God will not be left in a state of disgrace but will find their trust affirmed and their integrity upheld.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They looked unto him":** This phrase describes an active, intentional turning towards God. It implies a posture of faith, dependence, and expectation, where individuals direct their gaze, their hopes, and their supplications towards the divine. It is an act of seeking God's presence, help, and guidance, acknowledging His sovereignty and their own need. This "looking" is not a passive glance but a focused, earnest appeal.
* **"and were lightened":** As a direct consequence of looking to God, those who seek Him receive divine illumination. This "lightening" encompasses spiritual understanding, inner joy, a lifting of burdens, and a radiant countenance that reflects God's presence. It signifies a transformation from darkness to light, from confusion to clarity, and from despair to hope, as God's truth and favor shine upon them.
* **"and their faces were not ashamed":** This final clause describes the outcome of divine illumination and vindication. In ancient cultures, the face was often seen as a mirror of one's inner state and social standing. To be "not ashamed" means that their hopes were not dashed, their trust was not misplaced, and they were not publicly disgraced. Instead, their countenances would reflect confidence, honor, and joy, indicating that God had indeed responded to their cry and upheld their integrity, delivering them from potential humiliation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 34:5 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The verse utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second and third clauses expand upon or complete the thought of the first. "They looked unto him" is followed by "and were lightened," showing a cause-and-effect relationship, and then "and their faces were not ashamed" further elaborates on the positive outcome of this divine encounter. The concept of being "lightened" functions as a **Metaphor** for spiritual illumination, joy, and understanding, contrasting with the darkness of distress or ignorance. The phrase "their faces were not ashamed" uses **Synecdoche**, where "faces" represents the whole person, implying that their entire being, their reputation, and their standing before God and humanity would be vindicated. This also touches on **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (a face that can be ashamed or not) to the outcome of a spiritual experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's responsiveness to humanity's yearning. It affirms God as the source of all light, truth, and vindication for those who turn to Him in faith. The experience of being "lightened" connects to the broader biblical theme of God as light, who dispels darkness, reveals truth, and brings joy and understanding to His people. The assurance of "not ashamed" speaks to God's character as a faithful covenant partner who never disappoints those who trust in His promises, ensuring their ultimate honor and integrity. It underscores the divine principle that genuine reliance on God leads not to humiliation but to exaltation and confirmation of hope.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation")
* [Isaiah 45:17](/isaiah/45-17 "Israel will not be ashamed")
* [Romans 10:11](/romans/10-11 "Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 34:5 offers timeless encouragement for believers navigating life's challenges. It reminds us that our primary response in times of distress, confusion, or even public scrutiny should be to "look unto Him"—to fix our gaze on God through prayer, worship, and reliance on His Word. This active posture of faith is not merely a passive hope but an intentional turning of our hearts and minds towards the One who is our ultimate source of help. When we do so, we can anticipate a profound spiritual "lightening"—an infusion of divine clarity, inner peace, and joy that transcends our circumstances. This light not only illuminates our path but also transforms our countenance, dispelling the shadows of shame, fear, or disappointment. We are assured that our trust in God will never be in vain; He will uphold us, vindicate us, and ensure that our hope is ultimately fulfilled, allowing us to stand with confidence and radiating His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it practically mean for me to "look unto Him" in my current circumstances?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need God's "lightening" – clarity, joy, or understanding?**
* **Are there any areas where I feel shame or fear disappointment, and how can I apply the promise of "not ashamed" to those feelings?**
* **How does my countenance reflect my reliance on God, especially in challenging times?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to be "lightened" in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: To be "lightened" (Hebrew: *nahar*) in a spiritual sense means to receive divine illumination, understanding, and joy from God. It signifies a profound inner transformation where the darkness of confusion, despair, or spiritual blindness is dispelled by God's truth and presence. This can manifest as clarity in decision-making, a lifting of heavy burdens, an infusion of hope, or an outward radiance that reflects an inner peace and joy. It's akin to having a spiritual light switched on, allowing one to see God's perspective and experience His comforting presence, as highlighted in [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 34:5 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of the light and the one who removes all shame. He is the true "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")), and those who look to Him are indeed "lightened" by His truth, grace, and Spirit, receiving spiritual understanding and eternal life. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore the ultimate shame and disgrace of humanity, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "He became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God")). By looking to Him in faith, we are not only illuminated but also cleansed from sin and delivered from the condemnation and shame that sin brings. Our faces are not ashamed because our hope is in Him, the "cornerstone chosen and precious," and "whoever believes in him will not be put to shame" ([1 Peter 2:6](/1_peter/2-6 "Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame")). In Christ, we find complete vindication, honor, and the radiant glory of God, reflecting His light to the world.

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

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalms 123:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.

Psalms 123:2

Behold, as the eyes of servants [look] unto the hand of their masters, [and] as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes [wait] upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.

Psalms 25:3

Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

Psalms 18:28

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalms 36:9

For with thee [is] the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Psalms 97:11

Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.