Psalm 125:4
New International Version
LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.

New Living Translation
O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you.

English Standard Version
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!

Berean Standard Bible
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to the upright in heart.

King James Bible
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

New King James Version
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.

New American Standard Bible
Do good, LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

NASB 1995
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

NASB 1977
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do good, O Yahweh, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

Amplified Bible
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

Christian Standard Bible
Do what is good, LORD, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do what is good, LORD, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright.

American Standard Version
Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts.

Contemporary English Version
Let's ask the LORD to be kind to everyone who is good and completely obeys him.

English Revised Version
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those whose motives are decent.

Good News Translation
LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who obey your commands.

International Standard Version
LORD, do good to those who are good, and to those who are upright in heart.

Majority Standard Bible
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to the upright in heart.

NET Bible
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to the morally upright!

New Heart English Bible
Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.

Webster's Bible Translation
Do good, O LORD, to those that are good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

World English Bible
Do good, Yahweh, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do good, O YHWH, to the good, "" And to the upright in their hearts.

Young's Literal Translation
Do good, O Jehovah, to the good, And to the upright in their hearts.

Smith's Literal Translation
Do good, O Jehovah, to the good and to the upright in their hearts.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do good, O Lord, to the good and to the upright of heart.

New American Bible
Do good, LORD, to the good, to those who are upright of heart.

New Revised Standard Version
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to them who are upright in their hearts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do good, LORD JEHOVAH, to the good, those who are right in their heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Do good, O LORD, unto the good, And to them that are upright in their hearts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Do good, O Lord, to them that are good, and to them that are upright in heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD Surrounds His People
3For the scepter of the wicked will not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to injustice. 4Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to the upright in heart. 5But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.…

Cross References
Proverbs 10:6
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Isaiah 3:10
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Psalm 7:9
Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.

Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

Psalm 37:27-28
Turn away from evil and do good, so that you will abide forever. / For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 92:12-15
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. / Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. / In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, ...

Isaiah 26:7
The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.

Isaiah 32:17
The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 13:43
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Romans 2:7
To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 John 3:7
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.


Treasury of Scripture

Do good, O LORD, to those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

do good

Psalm 41:1-3
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble…

Psalm 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 73:1
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

upright

Psalm 32:2
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psalm 119:80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

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Psalm 125
1. The safety of such as trust in God
4. A prayer for the godly, and against the wicked














Do good, O LORD
This phrase is a heartfelt petition directed towards God, invoking His benevolent nature. The Hebrew root for "do good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which encompasses a broad spectrum of goodness, including moral, physical, and practical well-being. In the context of the Psalms, this plea reflects a deep trust in God's character as inherently good and just. Historically, the Israelites often called upon God to act in accordance with His nature, especially during times of distress or uncertainty. This invocation is not merely for personal benefit but aligns with the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where His goodness is a source of hope and assurance.

to those who are good
The phrase "to those who are good" refers to individuals who align themselves with God's will and commandments. The Hebrew word for "good" here is also "טוֹב" (tov), indicating a moral and ethical alignment with God's standards. In the biblical context, being "good" is not about perfection but about a heart oriented towards God, striving to live righteously. This reflects the biblical principle that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him and live according to His ways. The historical context of the Psalms often contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, emphasizing God's justice and the blessings that come from living a life pleasing to Him.

and to those who are upright in heart
The term "upright in heart" is a profound description of inner integrity and sincerity. The Hebrew word for "upright" is "יָשָׁר" (yashar), which means straight, level, or right. It conveys the idea of moral rectitude and honesty. The "heart" in Hebrew thought is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Thus, being "upright in heart" suggests a deep, internal commitment to God's ways, beyond mere external compliance. This phrase underscores the biblical theme that God values the condition of the heart and that true righteousness stems from an inner transformation. Historically, this reflects the emphasis in the Hebrew Scriptures on internal devotion as the foundation for ethical behavior and community life.

Verse 4. - Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good. Give them their deservings. For their "goodness" repay them with "goodness." And to them that are upright in their hearts. Exegetical of the preceding clause. Only the "upright in heart" are really "good."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do good,
הֵיטִ֣יבָה (hê·ṭî·ḇāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

to [those who are] good,
לַטּוֹבִ֑ים (laṭ·ṭō·w·ḇîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and to the upright
וְ֝לִֽישָׁרִ֗ים (wə·lî·šā·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in heart.
בְּלִבּוֹתָֽם׃ (bə·lib·bō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3826: The heart


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OT Poetry: Psalm 125:4 Do good Yahweh to those who (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 125:3
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