So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
Parallel Translations
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So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
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So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Show all 3 translations
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So shall I observe Thy law continually for ever and ever;
And I will walk at ease, for I have sought Thy precepts;
I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Cross-references (34)
- Psalms 119:133 (v45) Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
- Psalms 119:94 (v45) I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
- Proverbs 4:12 (v45) When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble.
- James 1:25 (v45) But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be…
- John 8:30-36 (v45) As he spoke these things, many believed in him. Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then…
Show all 34 cross-references
- John 5:39 (v45) “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
- Romans 1:16 (v46) For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first,…
- 2 Peter 2:19 (v45) promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
- Ephesians 5:17 (v45) Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- James 2:12 (v45) So speak and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.
- Psalms 119:162 (v45) I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
- Matthew 10:18-19 (v46) Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you…
- Luke 4:18 (v45) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to…
- Acts 26:1-2 (v46) Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. “I think myself happy, King…
- Psalms 119:19 (v45) I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
- Psalms 119:33-34 (v44) Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey…
- Psalms 119:71 (v45) It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
- Psalms 119:148 (v45) My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
- Proverbs 18:1 (v45) A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
- Ecclesiastes 1:13 (v45) I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given…
- Revelation 22:11 (v44) He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness…
- Proverbs 2:4-5 (v45) if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures: then you will understand the fear of Yahweh, and find the knowledge…
- Mark 8:38 (v46) For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him,…
- Revelation 7:15 (v44) Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his…
- Psalms 138:1 (v46) I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
- Daniel 3:16-18 (v46) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it happens, our God…
- Daniel 4:1-3 (v46) Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. It has seemed…
- Daniel 4:25-27 (v46) that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and…
- Acts 26:24-29 (v46) As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” But he said,…
- Philippians 1:20 (v46) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will…
- 2 Timothy 1:8 (v46) Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the…
- 1 Peter 4:14-16 (v46) If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is…
- 2 Timothy 1:16 (v46) May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain,
- 1 John 2:28 (v46) Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv44–46 44. I will keep thy law continually He resolves…
44. I will keep thy law continually He resolves to devote himself to the study of the law, not for a short time only, but even to the termination of his life. The employing of three synonymous words, תמיד, tamid, עולם, olam, עד, ed, so far from being viewed as a superfluous accumulation of terms, contains an implied indication, that, unless the faithful make a strenuous and steady opposition, the fear of God may be gradually effaced from their minds by various temptations, and they will lose the affection which they bear for the law. In order, therefore, that he may be the better prepared for meeting these trials, he alludes to the difficulty and danger connected with them.
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.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv45–46 They that simply walk after God’s word, have no…
They that simply walk after God’s word, have no lets to entangle them, whereas they that do contrary, are ever in nets and snares.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv44–46 Psa 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually…
Psa 119:44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually] If thou please to give me to believe with the heart, and to confess with the mouth, I shall surely persevere in the profession and practice of the truth.
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 vv44–46 So shall I be obliged and encouraged to the…
So shall I be obliged and encouraged to the constant and perpetual study and observation of thy laws.
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 v45 We may observe in these verses, 1. What David…
We may observe in these verses, 1. What David experienced of an affection to the law of God: "I seek thy precepts, Psa 119:45. I desire to know and do my duty, and consult thy word accordingly; I do all I can to understand what the will of the Lord is and to discover the intimations of his mind. I seek thy precepts, for I have loved them, Psa 119:47, Psa 119:48. I not only give consent to them as good, but take complacency in them as good for me." All that love God love his government and therefore love all his commandments. 2. What he expected from this. Five things he promises himself here in the strength of God's grace: - (1.) That he should be free and easy in his duty: "I will walk at liberty, freed from that which is evil, not hampered with the fetters of my own corruptions, and free to that which is good, doing it not by constraint, but willingly." The service of sin is perfect slavery; the service of God is perfect liberty. Licentiousness is bondage to the greatest of tyrants; conscientiousness is freedom to the meanest of prisoners, Joh 8:32, Joh 8:36; Luk 1:74, Luk 1:75. (2.) That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings. Before David came to the crown kings were sometimes his judges, as Saul, and Achish; but, if he were called before them to give a reason of the hope that was in him, he would speak of God's testimonies, and profess to build his hope upon them and make them his council, his guards, his crown, his all. We must never be afraid to own our religion, though it should expose us to the wrath of kings, but speak of it as that which we will live and die by, like the three children before Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 3:16; Act 4:20. After David came to the crown kings were sometimes his companions; they visited him and he returned their visits; but he did not, in complaisance to them, talk of every thing but religion, for fear of affronting them and making his conversation uneasy to them. No; God's testimonies shall be the principal subject of his discourse with the kings, not only to show that he was not ashamed of his religion, but to instruct them in it and bring them over to it. It is good for kings to hear of God's testimonies, and it will adorn the conversation of princes themselves to speak of them. (3.) That he should be cheerful and pleasant in his duty (Psa 119:47): "I will delight myself in thy commandments, in conversing with them, in conforming to them. I will never be so well pleased with myself as when I do that which is pleasing to God." The more delight we take in the service of God the nearer we come to the perfection we aim at. (4.) That he should be diligent and vigorous in his duty: I will lift up my hands to thy commandments, which denotes not only a vehement desire towards them (Psa 143:6) - "I will lay hold of them as one afraid of missing them, or letting them go;" but a close application of mind to the observance of them - "I will lay my hands to the command, not only to praise it, but practise it; nay, I will lift up my hands to it, that is, I will put forth all the strength I have to do it." The hands that hang down, through sloth and discouragement, shall be lifted up, Heb 12:12. (5.) That he should be thoughtful and considerate in his duty (Psa 119:48): "I will meditate in thy statutes, not only entertain myself with thinking of them as matters of speculation, but contrive how I may observe them in the best manner." By this it will appear that we truly love God's commandments, if we apply both our minds and our hands to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv44–46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings,....…
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings,.... As very likely he did before Saul and his courtiers, before the king of Achish and the princes of the Philistines, when as yet he was not a king himself; and when he was come to the throne, such kings as came to visit him, instead of talking with them about affairs of state, he spoke of the Scriptures, and of the excellent things they bear witness of; and such a practice he determined to pursue and continue in;
and will not be ashamed; of the testimonies of God, and of the truths contained in them; and of speaking of them and for them; or of being reproached and vilified on that account. So the Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the name of Christ before kings; nor was he ashamed to speak of him and of his Gospel before Nero the Roman emperor, Agrippa king of the Jews, and before Felix and Festus, Roman governors; nor ashamed of the reproaches and afflictions he endured on that account.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v45 At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in…
At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv45–46 Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed…
Verse 45. I will walk at liberty] When freed from the present bondage, we shall rejoice in obedience to thy testimonies; we shall delight to keep all thy ordinances.
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 v45 Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty —…
Psa 119:45-48. And I will walk at liberty — Having then no such encumbrances upon me as I now have in these straits and difficulties which beset and burden me, I shall enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways, and will do my duty with cheerfulness and joy. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings — Who commonly entertain all godly discourses with scorn and contempt. I will delight myself, &c. — Whereas other princes place their delight in the glories and vanities of this world, and the study and practice of religion are generally irksome and disagreeable to them, thy law shall be my chief delight and pleasure. My hands also will I lift up — To receive and embrace thy precepts and promises, by faith and love, and cheerfully and vigorously to put them in practice.
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 vv44–46 So shall I keep thy law continually forever and…
So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever - At all times and in all places; in this world and the world to come. This indicates a purpose to do it, and an assurance that he would do it, if God should enable him to retain even the slightest hold on the truth.
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 vv44–46 44. So shall I observe thy law] This is…
44. So shall I observe thy law] This is his desire and purpose, if God will grant him grace.
continually for ever and ever] Unceasingly to the end of his life. Or does he merge his own personality in that of the nation, and look forward to the service of the generations to come?
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 vv45–46 (45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place.…
(45) At liberty.—See margin. Literally, in a large place. (See Psa_119:32; comp. Pro_4:12.)
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 vv44–46 So shall I keep thy Law continually forever and…
So shall I keep thy Law continually forever and ever. God"s mercy will draw forth the psalmist"s gratitude, and make his obedience perfect and perpetual.
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 vv44–46 Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually…
Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. Nothing more effectually binds a man to the way of the Lord than an experience of the truth of his word, embodied in the form of mercies and deliverances. Not only does the Lord's faithfulness open our mouths against his adversaries, but it also knits our hearts to his fear, and makes our union with him more and more intense. Great mercies lead us to feel an inexpressible gratitude which, falling to utter itself in time, promises to engross eternity with praises. To a heart on flame with thankfulness, the "always, unto eternity and perpetuity, "of the text will not seem to be redundant; yea, the hyperbole of Addison in his famous verse will only appear to be solid sense:
"Through all eternity to thee
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A joyful song I will raise;
But oh! eternity's too short
To utter all thy praise." Addison.
God's grace alone can enable us to keep his commandments without break and without end; eternal love must grant us eternal life, and out of this will come everlasting obedience. There is no other way to ensure our perseverance in holiness but by the word of truth abiding in us, as David prayed it might abide with him.
The verse begins with "So, "as did Ps 119:42. When God grants his salvation we are so favoured that we silence our worst enemy and glorify our best friend. Mercy answereth all things. If God doth but give us salvation we can conquer hell and commune with heaven, answering reproaches and keeping the law, and that to the end, world without end.
We may not overlook another sense which suggests itself here. David prayed that the word of truth might not be taken out of his mouth, and so would he keep God's law: that is to say, by public testimony as well as by personal life, he would fulfil the divine will, and confirm the bonds which bound him to his Lord for ever. Undoubtedly the grace which enables us to bear witness with the mouth is a great help to ourselves as well as to others: we feel that the vows of the Lord are upon us, and that we cannot run back.
Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually, etc. The Lord's keeping our heart in faith, and our mouth and outward man in the course of confession and obedience, is the cause of our perseverance. David Dickson.
Ver. 44. So shall I keep. Mark, the promise of obedience is brought in by way of argument; "So shall I keep, ""so, "that is, this will encourage me, this will enable me.
First, The granting of his requests would give him encouragement: when God answers our hope and expectation, gratitude should excite and quicken us to give all manner of obedience. If he will give us a heart, and a little liberty to confess his name, and serve him, we should not be backward or uncertain, but walk closely with him.
Secondly, This would give him assistance and strength. If God do daily give assistance, we shall stand; if not, we fall and falter; this will be a means of his perseverance, not only to engage and oblige him, but to help him to hold on to the end.
Then mark the consistency of this obedience, "Continually, and for ever and ever." David would not keep it for a fit, or for a few days, or a year, but always, even to the end of his life. Here are three words to the same sense: "continually, ""for ever, ""and ever." And the Septuagint expresses it thus: "I shall keep thy law always, and for ever, and for ever, and ever; "four words there. This heaping of words is not in vain.
1. It shows the difficulty of perseverance: unless believers do strongly persist in the resistance of temptation, they will soon be turned out of the way; therefore David binds his heart firmly: we must do it now, yea, always, unto the end.
2. He expresses his vehemence of affection: those that are deeply affected with anything are wont to express themselves as largely as they can. As Paul, who had a deep sense of God's power: "Exceeding greatness of his power, according to the working of his mighty power" (Eph 1:19). He heaps up several words, because his sense of them was so great: so David here doth heap up words "continually, and for ever, and ever, and ever."
3. Some think the words are so many, that they may express not only this life, but that which is to come. I will keep them continually, and for ever, and ever; that is, all the days of my life, and in the other world. So Chrysostom, "I will keep them continually, "etc., points out the other life, where there will be pure and exact keeping of the law of God. Here we are every hour in danger, but then we shall be put out of all danger, and without fear of sinning, we shall remain in a full and perfect righteousness; we hope for that which we have not attained unto, and this doth encourage us for the present: so would he make David express himself.
4. If we must distinguish these words, I suppose they imply the continuity and perpetuity of obedience; the continuity of obedience, that he would serve God continually, without intermission; and the perpetuity of obedience, that he would serve God for ever and ever, without defection or revolt, at all times, and to the end. Constancy and perseverance in obedience is the commendation of it. Thomas Manton.
Ver. 44. So shall I keep thy law continually. That is, if thou wilt not take the word of thy truth out of my mouth, "I will alway keep thy law." "Yea, unto age, and age of age:" he showeth what is meant by alway. For sometimes by "alway" is meant, as long as we live here; but this is not, "unto age, and age of age." For it is better thus translated than as some copies have, "to eternity, and to age of age, "since they could not say, and to eternity of eternity. That law therefore should be understood, of which the apostle saith, "Love is the fulfilling of the law." For this will be kept by the saints, from whose mouth the word of truth is not taken, that is, by the church of Christ herself, not only during this world, that is, until this world is ended; but for another world which is styled world without end. For we shall not there receive the commandments of the law, as here, to keep them, but we shall keep the fulness of the law itself without any fear of sinning; for we shall love God the more fully when we shall have seen him; and our neighbour too; for "God will be all in all"; nor will there be room for any false suspicion concerning our neighbour, where no man will be hidden to any. Augustine.
Ver. 44. Continually, for ever and ever. The language of this verse is very emphatic. Perfect obedience will constitute a large proportion of heavenly happiness to all eternity; and the nearer we approach to it on earth, the more we anticipate the felicity of heaven. Note in Bagster's Comprehensive Bible.
Ver. 44. The perpetuity of gracious living. On what it is conditioned: "So." How entirely it is consistent with free agency: "I
keep." How continuous it is, and how eternal.
Ver. 44. Heaven begun below.
1. The present life of the believer keeping God's law.
2. The continual care of the believer to keep God's law.
3. The eternal prospect of the believer keeping God's law for ever and ever. C.A.D.
Psalms 119:45*
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 vv44–46 So shall I keep Thy law continually for ever…
Psa_119:44-48
So shall I keep Thy law continually for ever and ever.
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A noble resolution
I. To be constantly obedient (verse 44). What is obedience? Not conformity to the letter of the law, but the incarnation of the spirit of the law It is to have the Divine will not only written in the heart, hut living and reigning in the heart.
II. To be morally free (verse 45). Soul liberty is not mere freedom to act, not licence; it is the spontaneous action of love. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. A reigning love for God breaks all the shackles of the soul, and dispreads a sphere of action as wide as immensity.
III. To he heroic in teaching (verse 46).
1. Here is a resolution--
(1) To speak truth,
(2) To speak it in the highest circles,
(3) With the greatest boldness. Will not he ashamed.
2. We should be bold in speaking out truths
(1) Because it is Divine,
(2) Because it is rational,
(3) Because it is powerful,
(4) Because it is restorative,
(5) Because it is universal.
IV. To be happy in duty (verse 47). You cannot be happy by merely resolving to be happy, but you can by resolving to obey with a loving heart. Happiness, like a deep crystal stream, follows every step in the path of true obedience. All the creatures in the universe that obey the laws of their natures are happy.
V. To be devout in life (verse 48).
1. Religious love is devout. I have loved.
2. Religious love is contemplative. I will meditate.
3. True living is devotion. (Homilist)
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 v45 I will walk securely
I will walk securely
To walk securely is to live one's life securely. AT: "I will live securely in God" (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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I seek your instructions
To "seek" is to perceive, or gain understanding of God's instructions as if one can see them. (See: Idiom)
solemn commands before kings
"serious commands to kings" or "instructions to kings"
translationWords
walk
command
king
shame
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v44 119:44-46 The psalmist is determined to obey the Lord.
119:44-46 The psalmist is determined to obey the Lord.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.