Psalms 119:4
Psalms 119:4 in Multiple Translations
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.
You have ordered us to follow your instructions carefully.
Thou hast commanded to keepe thy precepts diligently.
Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently,
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.
Yahweh, you have given us ◄your principles of behavior/all the things that you have declared that we should do►, and you told us to obey them carefully.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַ֭תָּה
צִוִּ֥יתָה
פִקֻּדֶ֗י/ךָ
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
מְאֹֽד
אַ֭תָּה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
צִוִּ֥יתָה
tsâvâh
H6680
to command
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
פִקֻּדֶ֗י/ךָ
piqqûwd
H6490
precept
N-mp | Suff
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:4
אַ֭תָּה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
צִוִּ֥יתָה
tsâvâh
H6680
"to command"
V-Piel-Perf-2ms
To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded
Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.
פִקֻּדֶ֗י/ךָ
piqqûwd
H6490
"precept"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a precept or commandment from God, like a law or statute. It appears in the Bible as a mandate or instruction, and is translated in the KJV as commandment, precept, or statute, emphasizing its importance as a divine instruction.
Definition: precept, statute
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: commandment, precept, statute. See also: Psalms 19:9; Psalms 119:87; Psalms 103:18.
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
מְאֹֽד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
- Sermons on Psalms 119:4
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
3They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.
4You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
5Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 John 5:3 | For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, |
| 2 | John 14:21 | Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” |
| 3 | Matthew 28:20 | and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 28:1–14 | “Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, as well as the produce of your land and the offspring of your livestock— the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you in one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand; the LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. The LORD will establish you as His holy people, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you. The LORD will make you prosper abundantly—in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land—in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you will only move upward and never downward, if you hear and carefully follow the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am giving you today. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 7:23 | but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. |
| 6 | John 14:15 | If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 12:32 | See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it. |
| 8 | Philippians 4:8–9 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 30:16 | For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. |
| 10 | Joshua 1:7 | Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. |
Psalms 119:4 Summary
This verse reminds us that God has given us rules to follow, and He wants us to obey them carefully. It's like a parent giving instructions to a child - we need to listen and follow them to stay safe and happy. By keeping God's precepts diligently, we show that we love and respect Him, as seen in Psalms 119:4 and supported by verses like John 14:15, which says 'If you love Me, keep My commandments.' We can start by reading and learning what God's precepts are, and then making a conscious effort to obey them every day, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of scriptures like Galatians 5:16-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have precepts ordained by God?
This means that God has established and decreed certain principles and commands that are to be followed by His people, as seen in Psalms 119:4 and supported by Deuteronomy 4:2, which emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commands.
How can we keep God's precepts diligently?
To keep God's precepts diligently, we must first know what they are, and then make a conscious effort to obey them, as encouraged in Joshua 1:8 and Matthew 22:37-40, which emphasize the importance of knowing and obeying God's Word.
Why is it important to keep God's precepts?
Keeping God's precepts is important because it shows our love and obedience to Him, and it also helps us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as stated in John 14:15 and 1 John 5:3, which highlight the connection between love, obedience, and keeping God's commands.
How does this verse relate to my everyday life?
This verse reminds us that our daily choices and actions should be guided by God's precepts, and that we should strive to obey them diligently, just as Psalm 119:5 expresses a desire to be committed to keeping God's statutes, and Psalm 119:6 looks forward to the blessing of not being ashamed when considering all God's commandments.
Reflection Questions
- What are some specific precepts or commands from God's Word that I need to focus on obeying more diligently in my life?
- How can I practically apply the principle of keeping God's precepts diligently in my relationships, work, and daily choices?
- What are some common obstacles or challenges that I face in keeping God's precepts, and how can I overcome them with the help of God's Word and the Holy Spirit?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love and commitment to God by keeping His precepts, as expressed in this verse and supported by other scriptures like John 14:23-24?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently. Here, and in the following verses, the psalmist expresses his great regard to the precepts, commandments, statutes, and judgments of God; and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently - as a most precious deposit committed to us. Translate wholly: see note, Psalms 119:8.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
Nor is it strange that thy people do so exactly and diligently observe and practise thy precepts, because they are commanded so to do by thee their sovereign Lord.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.Ver. 4. Thou hast commanded us, &c.] These are verba vivenda, non legenda, words to be lived, and not read only, as one well saith of this whole psalm; neither is it enough that we understand or ponder God’ s precepts, but we must practise them, if we would be happy. To keep thy precepts diligently] Nimis, valde, vehementer. Odi nimium diligentes, saith one; but where the business is weighty, and the failing dangerous, one can hardly be too diligent. Let a man here do his utmost, be shall not overdo.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
Verse 4. Thy precepts diligently.] מאד meod, "superlatively, to the uttermost." God has never given a commandment, the observance of which he knew to be impossible. And to whatsoever he has commanded he requires obedience; and his grace is sufficient for us. We must not trifle with God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:4
4. Thou hast commanded thy precepts, That (men) should observe them diligently. This verse calls attention to the Author of the law (Thou is emphatic), and to the purpose of its enactment. Cp. Deuteronomy 4:2. On ‘precepts’ see above, p. 704.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commanded - All this is here traced to the command of God; to the fact that he has required it.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:4
à, Aleph.1-8. Blessed are the undefiled—This, the first division, contains a general declaration of the blessing of faithfulness to the divine law.
Sermons on Psalms 119:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Precept and Prayer by James Smith | James Smith preaches on the importance of diligently keeping God's precepts, emphasizing the command to obey them as a rule of conduct and guide in life, recognizing that God is th |
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I Give Myself Unto Prayer by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the power and necessity of prayer, urging believers to bring their empty hearts to God, who transforms their sorrow into sweet incense through the sacri |
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Faith to Fulfill All of God's Will by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of doing more and giving more in order to have God's presence in our lives. He uses the example of Zacchaeus, who went above a |
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(Christian Leadership) Faith to Fulfill All of God's Will by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of trying and failing in order to learn valuable lessons. He draws parallels to the Israelites who tried and failed for fifte |
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The Greatest Promise by Manley Beasley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of money in our lives. He acknowledges that while there is more to life than just money, it still holds importance as we sp |
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The Blessing of Obedience by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the nature of the Bible as both a human and divine book. He explains that the Bible contains human words and can be analyzed like any other b |
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(Revelation) Revelation 14:13-16:18 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of both faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the commandments as essential marks of a New Testament saint. He emphasizes tha |