Keraia
Psalm 119

Psalm 119:4

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet · Psalm 119:1–176
Read Psalm 119

Translations

Modern
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
Traditional
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Literal
You have commanded Your precepts, to be kept diligently.
Latin
Tu mandasti mandata tua custodiri nimis.

Original

Hebrew
English
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

Notes

Psalms 119:4

To keep God’s commandments means to guard them by obeying them.

Psalms 119:1–4

Wise people are happy. They have integrity (see Psalm 84:11) and follow God's guidance. They obey God's teachings and seek them with complete devotion (see Psalm 27:7; 119:10, 45, 94, 155). They reject all evil forms. Compare Psalm 1:1–2.

Psalms 119:1–8

Aleph (א) is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 119 is written as an acrostic poem. Each section has eight verses, and every verse in that section begins with the same Hebrew letter. The first section begins with Aleph.

God, the author of these instructions, commands that his followers live by them. The psalmist prays to be given the grace to live by that revelation.

Psalms 119:1–176

This psalm blends wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. It often uses eight Hebrew words translated as:

  • “Instructions”

  • “law”

  • “words”

  • “commandments”

  • “statutes”

  • “judgments”

  • “promises”

  • “precepts“

These words encourage love for and obedience to God's instructions in the Scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17). A deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm.

Glossary

Acrostic Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Music Poetry, Biblical Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

Instruction: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Law: General Scriptures Concerning Obedience: General Scriptures Concerning