Psalms119
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 Aleph are those whose is , who in the of the Lord!
2 are those who his , who him with their ,
3 who , but in his !
4 You have your to be .
5 my may be in your !
6 Then I shall be , having my on your .
7 I will you with an , when I your .
8 I will your ; do me!
9 Beth can a his ? By it according to your .
10 With my I you; let me your !
11 I have your in my , I might against you.
12 are you, O Lord; me your !
13 With my I the of your .
14 In the of your I as much as .
15 I will on your and fix my on your .
16 I will in your ; I will your .
17 Gimel your , that I may and your .
18 my , that I may of your .
19 I am a on the ; your me!
20 My is with for your at .
21 You the , , who your .
22 me and , I have your .
23 though against me, your will on your .
24 Your are my ; they are my .
25 Daleth My to the ; according to your !
26 When I of my , you me; me your !
27 Make me the of your , and I will on your .
28 My for ; me according to your !
29 far me and me your !
30 I have the of ; I your before me.
31 I to your , O Lord; let me be !
32 I will in the of your when you my !
33 He me, O Lord, the of your ; and I will it to the .
34 Give me , that I may your and it with my .
35 in the of your , I in it.
36 my to your , and to !
37 my at ; and in your .
38 to your your , you may be .
39 Turn the I , for your are .
40 , I for your ; in your !
41 Waw Let your to me, O Lord, your according to your ;
42 then shall I have an for him who me, I in your .
43 And the of of my , my is in your .
44 I will your , and ,
45 and I shall in a , I have your .
46 I will also of your and shall be ,
47 for I find my in your , I .
48 I will my toward your , I , and I will on your .
49 Zayin your to your , you have made me .
50 is my in my , your .
51 The me, but I do your .
52 When I of your of , I take , O Lord.
53 me of the , who your .
54 Your have been my in the of my .
55 I your in the , O Lord, and your .
56 blessing has fallen to me, I have your .
57 Heth The Lord is my ; I to your .
58 I your with my ; be to me according to your .
59 When I on my , I my to your ;
60 I and do to your .
61 Though the of the me, I do your .
62 At I to you, of your .
63 am a of who you, of those who your .
64 The , O Lord, is of your ; me your !
65 Teth You have your , O Lord, according to your .
66 me and , I in your .
67 I was I , but I your .
68 You are and do ; me your .
69 The me with , but with my I your ;
70 their is like , but I in your .
71 It is for me I was , I might your .
72 The of your is to me of and pieces.
73 Yodh Your have and me; give me that I may your .
74 Those who you shall me and , I have in your .
75 I , O Lord, your are , and that in you have me.
76 your me according to your to your .
77 Let your to me, that I may ; your is my .
78 Let the be , they have me with ; as for , I will on your .
79 Let those who you to me, that they may your .
80 May my be in your , I may be !
81 Kaph My for your ; I in your .
82 My for your ; I , will you me?
83 I have become like a in the , yet I have your .
84 must your endure? will you those who me?
85 The have for me; do live according to your .
86 your are ; they me with ; me!
87 They have made an of me on , but have your .
88 In your , that I may the of your .
89 Lamedh , O Lord, your is in the .
90 Your endures to ; you have the , and it .
91 By your they this , things are your .
92 If your had been my , I would have in my .
93 I will your , by them you have .
94 am yours; me, I have your .
95 The lie in to me, but I your .
96 I have a to , but your is .
97 Mem Oh I your ! It is my the .
98 Your makes me my , it is with me.
99 I have my , your are my .
100 I more the , I your .
101 I my , in to your .
102 I do your , you have me.
103 are your to my , sweeter to my !
104 your I get ; I .
105 Nun Your is a to my and a to my .
106 I have sworn an and it, to your .
107 I am ; , O Lord, according to your !
108 my freewill of , O Lord, and me your .
109 I hold my in my , but I do your .
110 The have a for me, but I do your .
111 Your are my , they are the of my .
112 I my to your , to the .
113 Samekh I the , but I your .
114 You are my and my ; I in your .
115 me, you , that I may the of my .
116 me according to your , that I may , and let me be in my !
117 Hold me , that I may be and have for your !
118 You who go your , their is in .
119 the of the you like , I your .
120 My of you, and I am your .
121 Ayin I have what is and ; do me to my .
122 your a of ; let the me.
123 My for your and for the of your promise.
124 with your according to your , and me your .
125 am your ; give me , that I may your !
126 It is for the Lord to , for your has been .
127 I your , .
128 I your to be ; I .
129 Pe Your are ; my them.
130 The of your ; it imparts to the .
131 I my and , I for your .
132 to me and be to me, as is your with those who your .
133 my according to your , and let over me.
134 me , that I may your .
135 your upon your , and me your .
136 My of , people do your .
137 Tsadhe are you, O Lord, and are your .
138 You have your in and in .
139 My me, my your .
140 Your is , and your it.
141 I am and , yet I do your .
142 Your is , and your is .
143 and have , but your are my .
144 Your are ; give me that I may .
145 Qoph With my I ; me, O Lord! I will your .
146 I to you; me, that I may your .
147 I rise and cry for ; I in your .
148 My are awake the watches of the , that I may on your .
149 my according to your ; O Lord, according to your .
150 They draw who ; they are your .
151 But you are , O Lord, and your are .
152 have I from your you have them .
153 Resh on my and me, I do your .
154 my and me; according to your !
155 is the , they not your .
156 is your , O Lord; according to your .
157 are my and my , but I do your .
158 I at the with , they do your .
159 I your ! according to your .
160 The of your is , and one of your .
161 Sin and Shin me , but my stands in of your .
162 I at your like one who .
163 I and , but I your .
164 a I you for your .
165 have those who your ; can make them .
166 I for your , O Lord, and I your .
167 My your ; I them .
168 I your and , my are you.
169 Taw Let my you, O Lord; give me according to your !
170 Let my you; me according to your .
171 My will , you me your .
172 My will of your , your are .
173 Let your be ready to me, I have your .
174 I for your , O Lord, and your is my .
175 Let my and you, and let your me.
176 I have gone like a ; your , I do your .
Study
Psalms 119Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 119. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter:
vv1-8
This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.
vv9-16
To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.
vv17-24
If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.
Key Words
אֶשֶׁר: happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
תָּמִים: entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
תּוֹרָה: a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
עֵדָה: testimony
דָּרַשׁ: properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
Cross References
Psalms 119Both open with a beatitude regarding those who walk in the law of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Direct thematic parallel: the commandment is a lamp and the law is light.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus exemplifies being consumed by zeal for God's house/word, fulfilling the pattern in v139.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Contrast of transient physical creation with God's everlasting salvation and righteousness, aligning with verse 142.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct New Testament echo of going astray like sheep and returning to the Shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhortation for believers as strangers and pilgrims on the earth to abstain from fleshly lusts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Explicitly echoes the confession of being a stranger and a sojourner in the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct linguistic parallel to "my soul cleaveth unto the dust" describing intense physical and spiritual depression.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Illustrates the key theological concept of an "enlarged heart" as a work of divine grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illuminates 'the house of my pilgrimage' with the NT hope of heavenly strangers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct verbal echo of the phrase 'The Lord is my portion' expressing satisfaction in Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul and Silas singing praises to God at midnight, demonstrating the practice in action.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Description of the wicked whose hearts are closed, fat, and unresponsive to God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Affliction yielding the peaceable fruit of righteousness, reflecting the goodness of the Psalmist's trials.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Poole notes the failing of the eyes from intense waiting, matching David's distress in Psalm 69.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel showing that the word of the Lord, settled in heaven, endures forever.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallels the description of God's judgments being sweeter than honey.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The prophetic word is a light shining in a dark place.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identical Hebrew idiom: taking one's life/soul in one's hand amid danger.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Jesus is the ultimate surety of a better covenant, fulfilling the cry in v122.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Hezekiah cries out with similar phrasing, 'O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake [be surety] for me.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct theological parallel declaring God's word and law as absolute, objective truth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Internal echo emphasizing that God's testimonies and righteous judgments are established and endure forever.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The peace promised to those who love God's law matches Christ's bequest of peace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The classic Old Testament prophetic confession of all people going astray like lost sheep.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Zacharias and Elizabeth walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Sanctification and cleansing through God's word, which is absolute truth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels hiding or treasuring up God's commandments deep within one's heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Exhorts believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Cross-reference within the psalm linking the prayer for spiritual revival ("quicken thou me") with seeking God's way.
Supported by JFB
Jesus' warning against covetousness aligns with the prayer to incline the heart to God's testimonies instead.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the petition "quicken thou me" within the immediate alphabetical stanzas (Beth/Daleth/He).
Supported by JFB
The NT parallel of setting one's mind on things above, rather than earthly vanity.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects walking at liberty with the perfect law of liberty and diligent searching.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels spiritual freedom ('walk at liberty') through knowing and seeking God's truth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels not being ashamed of God's truth before worldly authorities and kings.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB