Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
Parallel translations
- WEB Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
- KJV Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
- BSB Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart.
- NASB Light is sown like seed for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
- NLT Light shines on the godly, and joy on those whose hearts are right.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Light and gladness are sown for the righteous and upright. God promises a sure harvest of joy for those who walk with Him.
Overview
The agricultural image of sowing suggests that present obedience and faithfulness will yield future blessing, even if delayed. 'Light' signifies salvation, favor, and well-being, while 'gladness' speaks of lasting joy. This hope is secured in Christ, the Light of the world, in whom the upright find ultimate gladness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Jas 5:7–11Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
- John 12:46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.
- Prov 4:18But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.
- Isa 60:1–2“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you.
- Job 22:28You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you. Light shall shine on your ways.
- Ps 112:4Light dawns in the darkness for the upright, gracious, merciful, and righteous.
- Ps 126:5–6Those who sow in tears will reap in joy.
- Mic 7:9I will bear the indignation of Yahweh, because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my case, and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light. I will see his righteousness.
- Rev 21:23The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
- Ps 18:28For you will light my lamp, Yahweh. My God will light up my darkness.
- Gal 6:8For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
- Esth 8:16The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor.
- Rev 22:5There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.
- Isa 62:1For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning lamp.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 97:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.