Bible Strands
Psalms 34:5
Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David, fresh from being delivered from fear (v. 4), addresses the congregation with an imperative invitation to look to the LORD. The verse sits between his personal testimony and the poor man's cry, functioning as a communal exhortation.
The words — הִבִּיטוּ (hi.Bi.tu) is a plural imperative: "Look!" — a command, not a suggestion. נָהָרוּ (na.Ha.ru) means "they glow/radiate," a vivid image of light breaking through rather than a generic "they are happy."
The thread — The act of fixing one's gaze on God as the source of light runs through Psalms 18:28 (God lighting the lamp) and Psalms 123:1 (lifting eyes to the enthroned One), and Paul picks it up in Hebrews 12:2 ("fix your eyes on Jesus"). The common thread is that looking to God is what produces the radiance, not the other way around.
Why it lands — The verse is an imperative first: look. The radiance and freedom from shame are presented as the result of that sustained attention, not as a separate blessing to be requested.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Psalms 123:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven.
- Psalms 18:28 For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.
- Psalms 25:3 Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who engage in treachery without cause will be disgraced.
- Psalms 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
- Isaiah 60:5 Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.
- Psalms 97:11 Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.
- Psalms 13:3 Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death,
- Isaiah 45:22 Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
- Esther 8:16 For the Jews it was a time of light and gladness, of joy and honor.