Psalms119
New King James Version
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.
25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.
46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.
49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself.
53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.
57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.
65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed.
81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.
113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God!
116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.
121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.
137 Righteous are You, O Lord, And upright are Your judgments.
138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded, Are righteous and very faithful.
139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.
145 I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.
148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.
151 You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
153 Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
158 I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
161 Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.
169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
171 My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O Lord, And Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.
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