Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
Parallel Translations
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Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
-
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
Show all 3 translations
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Let my tongue sing of Thy word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness.
Let Thy hand be ready to help me; for I have chosen Thy precepts.
I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; and Thy law is my delight.
Cross-references (47)
- Psalms 119:166-167 (v174) I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments. My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
- Romans 7:14 (v172) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
- Ephesians 4:29 (v172) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to…
- Psalms 37:30 (v172) The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
- Psalms 119:16 (v174) I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
Show all 46 cross-references
- Matthew 12:34-35 (v172) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man…
- Romans 7:12 (v172) Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
- Psalms 119:111 (vv173–174) I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
- Psalms 1:2 (v174) but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.
- Psalms 119:47 (v174) I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
- Psalms 119:138 (v172) You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
- Psalms 119:142 (v172) Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
- Psalms 119:162 (v174) I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
- Isaiah 41:10-14 (v173) Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will…
- Joshua 24:22 (v173) Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen Yahweh yourselves, to serve him.” They said, “We are…
- Psalms 40:9-10 (v172) I have proclaimed glad news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not seal my lips, Yahweh, you know. I have not hidden…
- Psalms 119:13 (v172) With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
- Psalms 119:86 (v172) All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
- Romans 7:22-25 (v174) For I delight in God’s law after the inward man, but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing…
- Romans 8:23-25 (v174) Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption,…
- Philippians 1:23 (v174) But I am hard pressed between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
- Colossians 4:6 (v172) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
- Genesis 49:18 (v174) I have waited for your salvation, Yahweh.
- Deuteronomy 30:19 (v173) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore…
- 2 Samuel 23:5 (v174) Isn’t my house so with God? Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation,…
- Psalms 78:4 (v172) We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds…
- Psalms 119:24 (v174) Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
- Psalms 119:46 (v172) I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
- Psalms 119:77 (v174) Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
- Psalms 119:81 (v174) My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
- Proverbs 13:12 (v174) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 (v172) and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and…
- Joshua 24:15 (v173) If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the…
- 1 Kings 3:11-12 (v173) God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself,…
- Psalms 37:24 (v173) Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
- Psalms 119:30 (v173) I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
- Psalms 119:35 (v173) Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
- Psalms 119:40 (v173) Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
- Psalms 119:94 (v173) I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
- Psalms 119:117 (v173) Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
- Proverbs 1:29 (v173) because they hated knowledge, and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
- Song of Solomon 5:8 (v174) I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, that you tell him that I am faint with love.
- Mark 9:24 (v173) Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
- Luke 10:42 (v173) but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (v173) He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in…
- Philippians 4:13 (v173) I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
46 distinct cross-references across this passage (47 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (13 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv172–174 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word. Here…
172. My tongue shall speak of thy word. Here the Psalmist says, that when he shall have profited in God’s law he will also employ himself in teaching it to others. This order is undoubtedly to be observed, That divine truth take root in our hearts before we engage in the work of teaching it to others. Yet every man, according to the measure of his faith, ought to communicate to his brethren what he has received, that the doctrine, whose use and fruit God ‘would have to be displayed for the common edification of the Church, may not be buried. There is added the reason which ought to stir up all the godly to declare the law of God — namely, because by this means righteousness is spread abroad through the whole world. When the Prophet honors the commandments of God with the title of righteousness, he does not simply express his approbation of them, but he indirectly shows, that, until this rule bear sway in governing mankind, the whole world is one scene of sad and horrible confusion. Yet, let my readers judge whether the word answer or witness, which the Hebrew verb ענה, anah, properly signifies, is not more suitable in this place than speak; bringing out this sense — “My tongue shall bear witness or answer to thy word; because the true knowledge of righteousness is to be sought only in the word;” but in that case, it will be necessary to supply the letter ל, lamed, in the word אמרתך, imrathecha, that it may read — to thy word.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv172–174 Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word:…
Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness.
Ver. 172. My tongue shall speak] True goodness is diffusive; charity is no churl.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv172–174 Shall speak, Heb. shall pour forth, freely and abundantly,…
Shall speak, Heb. shall pour forth, freely and abundantly, like a fountain. Of thy word; in praise of it, for its righteousness, as it here follows, its truth, and purity, and other excellencies.
Thy commandments; even those which to men of corrupted minds seem harsh and unjust.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv172–173 Observe here, 1. The good knowledge David had of…
Observe here, 1. The good knowledge David had of the word of God; he knew it so well that he was ready to own, with the utmost satisfaction, that all God's commandments are not only righteous, but righteousness itself, the rule and standard of righteousness. 2. The good use he resolved to make of that knowledge: My tongue shall speak of thy word, not only utter praise for it to the glory of God, but discourse of it for the instruction and edification of others, as that which he himself was full of (for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak) and as that which he desired others also might be filled with. The more we see of the righteousness of God's commandments the more industrious we should be to bring others acquainted with them, that they may be ruled by them. We should always make the word of God the governor of our discourse, so as never to transgress it by sinful speaking or sinful silence; and we should often make it the subject-matter of our discourse, that it may feed many and minister grace to the hearers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv172–173 Verse 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word]…
Verse 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word] There is a curious distinction here. In the preceding verse he says, "My lips shall utter;" here no reference is made to articulate sounds, except as affixed to musical notes. In this verse he says, "My tongue shall speak; " here articulate and intelligible words are intended. He first utters sounds connected with words expressive of his grateful feelings; in the second he speaks words, principally those which God himself had spoken, containing promises of support, purposes relative to the redemption of his people, and denunciations against their enemies.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v172 Psa 119:172-175. My tongue shall speak of — Shall…
TAU.
Psa 119:172-175. My tongue shall speak of — Shall freely and abundantly, like a fountain, pour forth, as תעןsignifies; thy word — The truths, precepts, and other contents of it. For all thy commandments are righteousness — Even those which, to men of corrupt minds, seem severe and unjust. Let thy hand help me — Let thy divine power, therefore, succour me in this weak and distressed condition wherein I am. For I have chosen, &c. — For I rely on it alone, having resolved to be guided wholly by thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation — That thou wouldest save me completely, not only from my troubles, but also from my sins, and from all inclination to decline from thy ways, and that at last thou wouldest crown me with eternal salvation in thy kingdom. Let my soul live — That is, let my natural life be prolonged, that I may live to thy glory. Or, let my soul possess spiritual life in union and communion with thee; and it shall praise thee — Shall have both inclination and power so to do, with fervency and delight. Let thy judgments help me — Thy providential dispensations, whereby thou rulest and judgest the world, punishing the wicked, and protecting and delivering the godly: or rather, thy ordinances and testimonies, (as the word judgments commonly signifies in this Psalm,) which are the only ground of my confiding in thee for help.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv172–174 My tongue shall speak of thy word - It…
My tongue shall speak of thy word - It shall speak of it in the language of praise; it shall speak of it in making it known to others.
For all thy commandments are righteousness - I see this; I feel it; and, therefore, I will speak of it. My impression that thy commandments are all righteous is so deep, that I cannot but speak of them. I must vindicate them; I must praise thee for them.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On v173 173. Let thine hand be ready to help me…
173. Let thine hand be ready to help me (R.V.).
for &c.] Psa_119:174 is best taken in close connexion with Psa_119:173 b. He pleads three reasons for an answer to his prayers:—he has deliberately resolved to obey God’s precepts (cp. Psa_119:30; Deu_30:19); he has long been waiting eagerly for deliverance from the hindrances to obedience which surround him (cp. Psa_119:40; Psa_119:166); his devotion has been no grudging service, but his constant delight (Psa_119:24 &c.).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v172 (172) My tongue shall speak of Thy word.—Rather, My…
(172) My tongue shall speak of Thy word.—Rather, My tongue shall make response to Thy word, that all Thy commandments are true.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv172–174 My tongue shall speak of thy Word; or, "let…
My tongue shall speak of thy Word; or, "let my tongue respond to thy promise return praise, i.e., for the fulfillment of thy promise. For all thy commandments are righteousness. And therefore are worthy objects of praise.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles H. Spurgeon 1885 · Public Domain On vv172–174 Ver. 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word.…
Ver. 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word. When he had done singing he began preaching. God's tender mercies are such that they may be either said or sung. When the tongue speaks of God's word it has a most fruitful subject; such speaking will be as a tree of life, whose leaves shall be for the healing of the people. Men will gather together to listen to such talk, and they will treasure it up in their hearts. The worst of us is that for the most part we are full of our own words, and speak but little of God's word. Oh, that we could come to the same resolve as this godly man, and say henceforth, "My tongue shall speak of thy word." Then should we break through our sinful silence; we should no more be cowardly and half hearted, but should be true witnesses for Jesus. It is not only of God's works that we are to speak, but of his word. We may extol its truth, its wisdom, its preciousness, its grace, its power; and then we may tell of all it has revealed, all it has promised, all it has commanded, all it has effected. The subject gives us plenty of sea room; we may speak on for ever: the tale is for ever telling, yet untold.
For all thy commandments are righteousness. David appears to have been mainly enamoured of the preceptive part of the word of God, and concerning the precept his chief delight lay in its purity and excellence. When a man can speak this from his heart, his heart is indeed a temple of the Holy Ghost. He had said aforetime (Ps 119:138), "Thy testimonies are righteous, "but here he declares that they are righteousness itself. The law of God is not only the standard of right, but it is the essence of righteousness. This the Psalmist affirms of each and every one of the precepts without exception. He felt like Paul "The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." When a man has so high an opinion of God's commandments it is little wonder that his lips should be ready to extol the ever glorious One.
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Ver. 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word. One duty of thankfulness promised by David is, to speak of God's words for the edification of others. Every Christian man, as he is a priest to offer sacrifice unto God, so is he a prophet to teach his brethren; for unto us all stands that commandment, "Edify one another in their most holy faith." But, alas, ye shall see many Christians now, who at their tables, and in their companies, can speak freely upon any subject; only for spiritual matters, which concern the soul, there they are dumb, and cannot say with David, "My tongue shall speak of thy word." William Cowper.
Ver. 172.
1. The orator: "My tongue shall speak."
2. His chosen theme: "of thy word."
3. His inward impulse: "for all thy commandments are righteousness."
Ver. 172. Savoury Speech.
1. A resolution all believers should make.
2. The qualification all believers should seek (Ps 45:1; Mt 7:34, 35)
3. The edification believers would thus secure.
C.A.D.
Psalms 119:173*
Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv173–174 Let Thine hand help me; for I have chosen…
Psa_119:173-175
Let Thine hand help me; for I have chosen Thy precepts.
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The character and requests of a truly godly man
I. His character.
1. His choice is the precepts of God.
2. His object of desire is Gods salvation. With respect to earthly things, nature is contented with a little, and grace with less. Not so in spiritual things. Here grace is insatiable; the more it has received, the more it desires.
3. His source of joy is Gods law. Here he chooses the term law for denoting the whole revelation of Gods will, to remind us of the inseparable connection between privilege and duty, faith and obedience, holiness and comfort; and to teach us that we ought to be thankful to God for the direction tie hath given us in the road to heaven, no less than for the promises by which we are assured of the possession of it.
II. His leading requests. He prays--
1. For strengthening and upholding grace. Let Thine hand help me.
2. For quickening grace. Let my soul live. This was the life for which David prayed; a confirmed sense of pardoning mercy, larger measures of sanctifying grace, communion with his God in a present world, and the full and everlasting enjoyment of Him in heaven. The life for which he prays is no other than the salvation for which he longed. He had tasted of its sweetness, and he thirsted for more. Let my soul live, saith he; to which he subjoins, and it shall praise Thee.
III. The ultimate end for which David was so earnest in his requests for help and life, and the improvement he proposed to make of both. He prayed for upholding and quickening grace, that he might be better qualified for the service of his God, to whom he had devoted himself and his all. Thus he prays (Psa_51:12; Psa_51:18; Psa_51:15). And the principal reason for which he was desirous to obtain Divine consolation appears from the use he intended to make of it (verse 32). (R. Walker.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v173 May your hand help me
May your hand help me
The hand is a synecdoche for the whole person. AT: "Please help me" (See: Synecdoche)
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have chosen
"have chosen to obey"
for your rescue
"you to rescue me"
your law is my delight
The abstract noun "delight" can be stated as a verb. "I very much enjoy obeying your law" (See: Abstract Nouns)
translationWords
hand
law
delight
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.