Psalms 53:6

KJV

Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

KJV (with Strong's)

Oh that {H5414}{H8799)} the salvation {H3444} of Israel {H3478} were come out of Zion {H6726}! When God {H430} bringeth back {H7725}{H8800)} the captivity {H7622} of his people {H5971}, Jacob {H3290} shall rejoice {H1523}{H8799)}, and Israel {H3478} shall be glad {H8055}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If only salvation for Isra'el would come out of Tziyon! When God restores his people's fortunes, what joy for Ya'akov! what gladness for Isra'el!

Berean Standard Bible

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!

American Standard Version

Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Then shall Jacob rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 53:6 articulates a fervent prayer and profound longing for God's redemptive intervention on behalf of His people, Israel. Following a stark depiction of widespread human depravity, this verse dramatically shifts to a hopeful anticipation that divine salvation will powerfully emanate from Zion. It envisions a future where God decisively restores His people from their state of distress or "captivity," culminating in universal joy and gladness for Jacob and Israel, thereby underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness as the ultimate source of deliverance and comprehensive restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 53 stands as a near-duplicate of Psalm 14, with the most notable distinction being its consistent use of "Elohim" (God) for the divine name, as opposed to "Yahweh" (the LORD) in Psalm 14, alongside minor textual variations. Both psalms are wisdom psalms, traditionally ascribed to David, and commence with the stark, unsettling declaration: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (as seen in [Psalm 53:1](/psalms/53-1 "Psalm 53:1 - The Fool's Declaration")). The preceding verses (53:1-5) paint a grim, comprehensive picture of humanity's moral decay, universal apostasy, and profound corruption, portraying a world deeply estranged from God. This bleak assessment of human rebellion and spiritual desolation establishes a critical backdrop for verse 6. This final verse serves as a dramatic and hopeful pivot, transforming the psalm from a lament over human sinfulness into an impassioned plea for God's direct, decisive, and redemptive intervention, offering a stark contrast to the surrounding narrative of spiritual barrenness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm is attributed to David, the "captivity" referenced in verse 6 should not be narrowly confined to a single historical event like the Babylonian exile. Instead, it functions as a broader, metaphorical reference to any state of distress, oppression, subjugation, or hardship experienced by God's covenant people throughout their history. Israel frequently found itself under the dominion of foreign powers, facing internal strife, or enduring periods of national calamity, leading to a recurring, deep-seated longing for divine liberation. The mention of "Zion" (Jerusalem) carries immense historical and cultural significance, as it was divinely chosen as the dwelling place of God's presence, the site of the Temple, and the symbolic epicenter of God's covenant relationship with Israel. Culturally, the expectation was deeply ingrained that ultimate salvation, deliverance, and divine justice would originate from this holy mountain, where God's power and faithfulness were believed to be uniquely and powerfully manifest.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly encapsulates several overarching and interconnected themes that resonate throughout the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. The foremost theme is **Divine Deliverance**, powerfully asserting the conviction that true and lasting salvation originates solely from God's sovereign hand, entirely independent of human effort, political maneuvering, or military might. This is intrinsically linked with the theme of **Restoration and Hope**, as the psalmist articulates a confident anticipation of a future reversal of adverse circumstances, where God will "bring back the captivity" of His people, thereby transforming their sorrow, suffering, and lament into profound joy and flourishing. The emphasis on **Zion as the Source of Salvation** underscores the foundational theological truth that God's redemptive help and intervention emanate directly from His holy dwelling place, signifying His active presence, covenant faithfulness, and sovereign rule over His people and all creation. Finally, the anticipated outcome of **Joy and Gladness** for "Jacob" and "Israel" (terms used synonymously to represent the entire covenant community) highlights the comprehensive and transformative impact of God's redemptive work, echoing the glorious promises of restoration and exultation found in prophetic literature, such as [Isaiah 60:1-3](/isaiah/60-1 "Isaiah 60:1-3 - The Glory of Zion") and [Jeremiah 30:3](/jeremiah/30-3 "Jeremiah 30:3 - Restoration of Fortunes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** This rich and multifaceted Hebrew term (H3444), derived from the root *yasha* (to save, deliver), signifies far more than mere spiritual deliverance. As a feminine passive participle, it denotes "something saved" or "deliverance." In the context of Psalms 53:6, _yᵉshûwʻâh_ encompasses a comprehensive sense of rescue, liberation, victory, and welfare. It denotes a complete and holistic deliverance from all forms of distress, oppression, danger, and affliction—whether physical, political, or spiritual—leading to a state of well-being, peace, and prosperity for the community. It implies God's decisive and powerful intervention to bring about a state of flourishing and security for His people.
* **Bringeth back the captivity (Hebrew, _shûwb shᵉbûwth'_):** This is a common and idiomatic Hebrew phrase, literally meaning "to turn back (H7725, _shûwb_) the captivity (H7622, _shᵉbûwth_)." While it can certainly refer to a literal return from exile, as seen in the Babylonian captivity, its broader and more frequent use in prophetic and poetic literature signifies a complete and dramatic reversal of fortunes. It denotes a restoration from any state of calamity, hardship, or distress—be it economic ruin, national subjugation, or spiritual bondage—to a state of blessing, prosperity, and freedom. This idiom emphasizes God's sovereign power to transform dire circumstances into abundant blessing, highlighting His capacity to restore what was lost or broken.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion!":** This opening clause functions as an impassioned, fervent cry, an interjection expressing a deep and earnest longing. The psalmist wishes for God's comprehensive deliverance (_yᵉshûwʻâh_) for His people, Israel, to visibly and powerfully manifest from Zion. Zion, as God's holy mountain and the site of His temple, represents the very presence of God and the epicenter of His covenant activity. The plea is that God's saving power would visibly and powerfully emanate from His dwelling place, unequivocally demonstrating His sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people.
* **"When God bringeth back the captivity of his people,":** This clause articulates the condition or the anticipated timing for the fulfillment of the psalmist's fervent longing. It speaks of God's direct, sovereign action to "bring back the captivity," employing the idiomatic phrase _shûwb shᵉbûwth_. This signifies a complete and dramatic reversal of the adverse circumstances afflicting God's people, whether it be literal exile, political oppression, economic ruin, or any form of distress that holds them in a state of bondage. It is a confident declaration that God alone possesses the power, the will, and the faithfulness to restore His people from their brokenness and hardship.
* **"Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.":** These concluding parallel clauses vividly describe the glorious and comprehensive outcome of God's redemptive act. "Jacob" and "Israel" are used synonymously to refer to the entire covenant community, emphasizing that the joy and gladness will be universal, profound, and all-encompassing among God's people. The terms "rejoice" (H1523, _gîyl_) and "be glad" (H8055, _sâmach_) convey profound exultation, celebration, and deep inner contentment, indicating that God's deliverance will bring about a state of profound well-being, spiritual delight, and communal flourishing, transforming their lament into triumphant praise.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 53:6 masterfully employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of fervent hope and anticipated divine deliverance. The opening phrase, "Oh that...", functions as an **Interjection** or **Exclamation**, immediately signaling the psalmist's intense longing, passionate prayer, and profound desire. This rhetorical device effectively draws the reader into the emotional depth and urgency of the plea. The verse also prominently utilizes **Parallelism**, particularly in its concluding clauses: "Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad." This is a classic example of **Synonymous Parallelism**, where two lines express the same fundamental idea using different but equivalent terms ("Jacob" and "Israel" referring to the same covenant people; "rejoice" and "be glad" conveying similar states of profound joy and exultation). This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty, universality, and comprehensive nature of the anticipated joy. Furthermore, the concept of "captivity" can be understood as a powerful **Metaphor** for any state of distress, oppression, or bondage, extending far beyond literal physical confinement to encompass spiritual, emotional, or national hardship, thereby broadening the verse's applicability and resonance. Finally, the mention of "Zion" functions as potent **Theological Imagery**, symbolizing God's active presence, His sovereign rule, and the designated source of His divine help and salvation, grounding the hope firmly in God's specific promises and His holy dwelling place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 53:6 stands as a profound testament to God's immutable character as the sovereign Deliverer and faithful Restorer of His people. It powerfully underscores the foundational theological truth that humanity's deepest need for salvation—a comprehensive rescue from sin, suffering, and all forms of bondage—can only be met by divine intervention, not by human strength, wisdom, or political maneuvering. The fervent cry for salvation to come "out of Zion" reinforces the consistent biblical understanding that God's help, justice, and redemptive power emanate directly from His holy presence, signifying His unwavering covenant faithfulness and His ultimate commitment to His chosen people. This verse beautifully illustrates the eschatological hope embedded throughout Scripture: that despite present suffering, widespread depravity, or dire circumstances, God will ultimately act decisively to reverse the fortunes of His people, bringing them from bondage to freedom, from sorrow to profound joy, and from despair to exultation. It is a prayer that anticipates God's ultimate kingdom reign, where righteousness, peace, and unfettered joy will prevail eternally.

* [Psalms 14:7](/psalms/14-7 "Psalm 14:7 - Parallel Cry for Salvation")
* [Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - Law Going Out From Zion")
* [Jeremiah 30:3](/jeremiah/30-3 "Jeremiah 30:3 - God Restores Fortunes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often mirrors the spiritual and moral decay lamented in the opening verses of Psalm 53, this concluding verse offers an enduring beacon of hope and a profound call to prayer and trust. When we witness or experience personal distress, societal brokenness, spiritual oppression, or the pervasive effects of sin, Psalm 53:6 powerfully reminds us that our ultimate deliverance and lasting joy originate solely from God. It encourages us to direct our fervent prayers, deepest longings, and most earnest petitions not towards fleeting human solutions, temporary comforts, or political ideologies, but towards the sovereign Creator who alone is able to "bring back the captivity" in our individual lives, in our communities, and in our world. Like the psalmist, we are called to cultivate a posture of expectant anticipation for God's powerful and decisive intervention, trusting implicitly that He is faithful to His promises and eternally capable of transforming even the most dire and seemingly hopeless circumstances into occasions for profound rejoicing. This verse deeply strengthens our faith in God's unfailing commitment to His people, assuring us that true help, comprehensive salvation, and ultimate restoration ultimately come from Him, from His holy dwelling place, bringing about a profound and lasting transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's fervent longing for salvation from Zion resonate with your own prayers for deliverance in times of personal or societal distress?**
* **In what ways do you perceive "captivity" (whether literal, spiritual, or metaphorical) at play in your life or in the broader world today, and how does this verse encourage your hope for God's intervention and restoration?**
* **What does the anticipated joy of Jacob and Israel teach us about the ultimate, comprehensive outcome of God's redemptive work for His people?**
* **How can focusing on God as the sole and ultimate source of salvation profoundly impact your approach to life's challenges and deepen your practice of prayer and worship?**

### FAQ
**Why is Psalm 53 almost identical to Psalm 14?**

Answer: Psalm 53 is indeed strikingly similar to Psalm 14, with only minor textual variations. The most significant difference lies in their use of divine names: Psalm 14 predominantly uses "Yahweh" (the LORD), the personal covenant name of God, while Psalm 53 consistently uses "Elohim" (God), a more general term for God. Scholars propose several theories for this duplication, including that one psalm might be a revision of the other for liturgical purposes, perhaps reflecting different theological schools or periods where one divine name was preferred. It could also indicate that both psalms were derived from an earlier common source, or that they were both popular and adapted for different congregational uses. Despite the textual similarities, both psalms convey the same core message about human depravity and the ultimate hope in God's salvation.

**What does "bringeth back the captivity" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: While the phrase "bringeth back the captivity" (Hebrew: _shûwb shᵉbûwth_) can certainly refer to a literal return from exile, such as the Babylonian captivity (as seen in [Jeremiah 29:14](/jeremiah/29-14 "Jeremiah 29:14 - Return from Exile")), its meaning in Psalms 53:6 and many other poetic and prophetic texts is broader and often metaphorical. It functions as an idiom for a complete reversal of fortunes, a comprehensive restoration from any state of calamity, distress, oppression, or hardship to a state of blessing, prosperity, and freedom. It encompasses national restoration, economic recovery, spiritual renewal, and liberation from any form of bondage. The emphasis is on God's sovereign power to transform dire circumstances into abundant blessing, highlighting His ability to restore what was lost or broken for His people.

**Why is Zion emphasized as the source of salvation?**

Answer: Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, holds profound theological significance in the Old Testament. It was chosen by God as the site for His Temple and the dwelling place of His presence (e.g., [Psalms 9:11](/psalms/9-11 "Psalm 9:11 - Sing Praises to the LORD, Enthroned in Zion")). Therefore, it became the symbolic center from which God's rule, justice, and salvation were expected to emanate. When the psalmist cries for salvation to come "out of Zion," it is a plea for God's direct, powerful, and visible intervention from His holy abode. It signifies that true and lasting help does not come from human armies or political alliances, but directly from the sovereign Lord, whose power and faithfulness are uniquely manifest from His chosen city. This concept is foundational to understanding God's covenant relationship with Israel and His ultimate redemptive plan for the world, as seen in prophetic visions of God's law going out from Zion ([Isaiah 2:3](/isaiah/2-3 "Isaiah 2:3 - Law Going Out From Zion")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 53:6, with its fervent prayer for the "salvation of Israel" to come "out of Zion" and the promise of profound joy upon God's restoration of His people, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Hebrew word for "salvation," _yᵉshûwʻâh_, is directly linked to the very name "Jesus" (_Yeshua_ in Hebrew), meaning "Yahweh saves." Thus, the deep longing for _yᵉshûwʻâh_ expressed by the psalmist is, at its core, a longing for Christ Himself, who is the living embodiment of God's saving power and the sole source of true deliverance. He is the one who truly brings back the "captivity" of humanity, not merely from physical or political oppression, but from the far more devastating and universal bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Through His atoning death on the cross and His victorious resurrection, Jesus delivers His people from spiritual slavery, making them truly free and reconciled to God ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")). The "Zion" from which this ultimate salvation comes is ultimately fulfilled in the heavenly Jerusalem, the new covenant community where Christ reigns supreme as King and High Priest ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - Mount Zion, the City of the Living God")). When God brings back the spiritual captivity of His people through the redemptive work of Christ, the result is indeed profound and unending joy and gladness for all who believe, a joy that anticipates the full redemption of all things and the eternal presence of God with His redeemed people in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")). In Jesus Christ, the ancient prayer of the psalmist is answered in a way far grander, more comprehensive, and eternally significant than could have been imagined, securing not just temporal relief but eternal salvation and unending rejoicing for the true Israel of God—His church.

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 14:7

Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

Jeremiah 30:18

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

Isaiah 12:6

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great [is] the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Psalms 126:1

¶ A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Psalms 126:4

¶ Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.

Psalms 106:46

He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

Psalms 106:48

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the LORD.