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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist expresses longing for God's salvation and restoration of His people from exile.
Context
The psalm concludes with urgent prayer for God's salvation and restoration of Israel.
What Does Psalms 14:7 Mean?
The exclamation 'Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!' voices urgent prayer for God's deliverance. Zion, Jerusalem's sacred hill, represents the seat of God's rule and the source from which salvation flows. The psalmist yearns for God's saving intervention on behalf of His covenant people, perhaps during a time of exile, oppression, or distress.
'When the LORD bringeth back the captivity' speaks of restoration—God returning His people from exile to their land and to full relationship with Him. 'Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad' envisions the joy that salvation brings. The move from diagnosis of universal corruption (verses 1-3) to hope in restoration affirms that despite human failure, God's purposes for His people remain unshaken.
In the Original Language
shub (שׁוּב), 'bringeth back' — to return or restore, often describing both literal return from exile and spiritual restoration to covenant relationship.