Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Hebrew word translated as "solitary" in this verse appears twelve times in the Bible. As an adjective, it is the same word (for example) that God used in Genesis 22:2 when He commanded Abraham to sacrifice his "only" son Isaac, and it is used in that same sense in the majority of other verses in which it appears, such as referring to the Israelite judge Jephthah's "only" child, whom Jephthah was forced to sacrifice as a result of a vow that he had made to God (Judges 11:29-40). 

As a substantive noun (such as, for example, in a reference to "the solitary", as in the verse cited in the question), it refers to those who are alone or lonely, with no one else in their lives.

April 04 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is meant by solitary? (Psalm 68:6 NKJV)

NKJV: 6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

In other words, a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others.

A solitary life is a lifestyle centred on living alone, minimising social interaction, and embracing solitude for independence, reflection, or spiritual growth. It is characterised by self-sufficiency and intentional detachment from frequent social engagements, often chosen for introspection or peace, rather than solely due to loneliness. 

A solitary life is fundamentally about choosing to be and finding fulfilment in being in one's own company. 

On October 27, 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva, Switzerland. Guillaume Farel​—the executioner and vicar of John Calvin—​warned the onlookers: “[Servetus] is a wise man who doubtless thought he was teaching the truth, but he fell into the hands of the Devil.... Be careful the same thing does not happen to you!” 

At the age of 16, Servetus went to study law at the University of Toulouse in France. There, he saw a complete Bible for the first time. Although reading the Bible was strictly forbidden, Servetus did so in secret. After completing his first reading, he vowed to read it “a thousand times more.” Probably, the Bible that Servetus studied in Toulouse was the Complutensian Polyglot, a version that enabled him to read the Scriptures in the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) as well as the Latin translation.

Servetus discreetly left his employment with Quintana and began his solitary search for the truth. He believed that Christ’s message was not intended for theologians or philosophers but for common people who would grasp it and put it into practice. Thus, he resolved to consult the Bible text in the original languages and to reject any teaching at odds with the Scriptures. Interestingly, the word “truth” and its derivatives appear more often than any other word in his writings.

It was a solitary quest for the truth.

While in prison, Servetus signed his last letter with these words: “Michael Servetus, alone, but trusting in Christ's most sure protection.”

Sometimes we can go into solitude, which can also help us find the truth in scripture.

Just as Michael Servetus and many others pursued a life of self-discovery, creativity, and spiritual growth, we also can do the same:

February 02 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Chett, good question! God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes; 1 he frees prisoners and grants them prosperity. 2 But sinful rebels live in the desert. 3 

NET © Notes	
1 tn Heb “God causes the solitary ones to dwell in a house.” The participle suggests this is what God typically does."
In the sentence "God settles those who have been deserted in their own homes," the participle is:

"deserted" (as in "have been deserted").

It is a past participle used as part of the passive perfect verb phrase "have been deserted" (helping verb have been + past participle deserted).

Note: The NET footnote refers to "God causes the solitary ones to dwell" — there, "solitary" is an adjective, not a participle, and "causes" is a finite verb. The participle in your quoted verse is deserted.

It is just like God who loves us to typically set the lonely in families. This verse above all others comforted me right after I met Jesus for the first time. I was placed in the greatest family of all, the family of God. It was a new "home" for me. I came from a broken home, but now I'm in the best home! 

Do you want to be adopted into a new home, the greatest family of all? All you have to do is trust Jesus, the Perfect Man who knew no sin and paid the death penalty for your sins (Romans 3:23; 6;23). Trust that Jesus paid it all (for you and for me). It was a demo of God's love. "God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Ask Jesus to save you, and He will. Just say, "Jesus, I need You, and I trust your payment for my penalty. Come into my life now, and make me the kind of person that You want me to be." And then thank Him for it. Find a good church that lifts up Jesus and preaches the Bible as truth, and start reading your Bible and praying to God everyday. Tell others what has happened to you!

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report