Psalms 119:5
Psalms 119:5 in Multiple Translations
Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!
If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules!
May I be reliable in the way I keep your rules!
Oh that my waies were directed to keepe thy statutes!
O that my ways were prepared to keep Thy statutes,
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of cedar:
I desire that I will faithfully/always obey all ◄your statutes/that you have said that we should do►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:5
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 119:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַ֭חֲלַי
יִכֹּ֥נוּ
דְרָכָ֗/י
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
חֻקֶּֽי/ךָ
אַ֭חֲלַי
ʼachălay
H305
O that!
Part
יִכֹּ֥נוּ
kûwn
H3559
to establish
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
דְרָכָ֗/י
derek
H1870
way
N-cp | Suff
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
חֻקֶּֽי/ךָ
chôq
H2706
statute
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:5
אַ֭חֲלַי
ʼachălay
H305
"O that!"
Part
O that expresses a strong desire or wish, like saying oh that or would God, as seen in many biblical passages. It is used to convey a sense of longing.
Definition: Oh that...!; oh would that!; ah that!
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: O that, would God. See also: 2 Kings 5:3; Psalms 119:5.
יִכֹּ֥נוּ
kûwn
H3559
"to establish"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
This verb means to set something up or establish it, like setting up a tent or appointing someone to a position, as seen in Isaiah 7:14.
Definition: : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be established, be fastened 1c2) to be prepared, be ready 1d) (Polel) 1d1) to set up, establish 1d2) to constitute, make 1d3) to fix 1d4) to direct 1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared 1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed. See also: Genesis 41:32; Job 18:12; Psalms 5:10.
דְרָכָ֗/י
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cp | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
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.
חֻקֶּֽי/ךָ
chôq
H2706
"statute"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a decree or law given by God, like the Ten Commandments. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy, guiding the Israelites' actions. This concept is essential to understanding God's expectations.
Definition: : decree 1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due 1a) prescribed task 1b) prescribed portion 1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve 1d) prescribed due 1e) prescribed limit, boundary 1f) enactment, decree, ordinance 1f1) specific decree 1f2) law in general 1g) enactments, statutes 1g1) conditions 1g2) enactments 1g3) decrees 1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task. See also: Genesis 47:22; Nehemiah 1:7; Psalms 2:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
- Sermons on Psalms 119:5
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
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. 7I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. |
| 2 | 2 Thessalonians 3:5 | May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. |
| 3 | Hebrews 13:21 | equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 31:33 | “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. |
| 5 | Romans 7:22–24 | For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? |
| 6 | Psalms 119:36 | Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain. |
| 7 | Psalms 119:32 | I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart. |
| 8 | Psalms 119:173 | May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. |
| 9 | Psalms 119:159 | Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD; give me life according to Your loving devotion. |
| 10 | Psalms 119:44–45 | I will always obey Your law, forever and ever. And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts. |
Psalms 119:5 Summary
This verse is a prayer from the psalmist, asking God to help them live according to His laws and principles. They want their daily actions and decisions to be guided by and submitted to God's will, as seen in Psalms 119:5. This is similar to what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 22:37-40, where we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. By committing our ways to keeping God's statutes, we can live a life that is pleasing to Him and avoid shame, as expressed in Psalms 119:6, and as seen in the life of Joseph, who chose to obey God's commands even in difficult circumstances, as told in Genesis 39:1-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have our ways committed to keeping God's statutes?
This means that our daily actions and decisions are guided by and submitted to God's laws and principles, as seen in Psalms 119:5, and is in line with the teachings of Deuteronomy 10:12-13, where we are called to fear God, walk in His ways, and serve Him with all our heart and soul.
Why would the psalmist want their ways to be committed to keeping God's statutes?
The psalmist desires this because they understand the importance of obedience to God's commands, and they want to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as expressed in Psalms 119:5, and is similar to the desire expressed in Matthew 22:37-40, where Jesus teaches us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.
How can we, like the psalmist, commit our ways to keeping God's statutes?
We can do this by studying and meditating on God's Word, as seen in Psalms 1:2-3, and by seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment to live according to God's will, as taught in Galatians 5:16-25.
What is the relationship between keeping God's statutes and not being ashamed?
As seen in Psalms 119:5-6, keeping God's statutes is closely tied to not being ashamed, because when we obey God's commands, we can stand confidently before Him, knowing that we are living according to His will, as also expressed in Proverbs 28:18, where it is written that the one who walks blamelessly will be delivered.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I struggle to keep God's statutes, and how can I commit those areas to Him?
- How would my relationships with others change if I were to fully commit my ways to keeping God's statutes?
- In what ways can I, like the psalmist, express my desire to keep God's statutes, and what role does prayer play in this process?
- What are some specific statutes or commands from God's Word that I need to focus on committing to, and how can I make them a part of my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!] The psalmist, sensible of his own inability, as every good man is, to keep the commands of God, prays for grace, direction, and assistance in it;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:5
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! O that my ways were directed - `confirmed,' (Hengstenberg: cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
My desires answer thy commands. Directed, or established, to wit, by thy grace and Holy Spirit; for the direction of God’ s word he had already.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
Psalms 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!Ver. 5. O that my ways were directed, &c.] David can wish well to that perfection which he cannot attain unto. The whole life of a good Christian is a holy desire, saith Austin; and this is always seconded with endeavour; without the which, affection is like Rachel, beautiful but barren.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
(5) Directed . . .—So LXX. and Vulg. The He brew is perhaps slightly different, established, or settled. (See Proverbs 4:26.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
Verse 5. O that my ways were directed] "I wish that my way may be confirmed to keep thy statutes." Without thee I can do nothing; my soul is unstable and fickle; and it will continue weak and uncertain till thou strengthen and establish it.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:5
5. Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes! (R.V.) The thought of God’s Will expressed in Psalms 119:4 naturally evokes a prayer that in his whole life and conduct he may fulfil God’s Will, not fitfully and uncertainly, but constantly and consistently. For established cp. Proverbs 4:26.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:5
O that my ways were directed ... - Indicating the desire of the pious heart. That desire - a prevailing, constant, uniform desire - is to keep the law of God.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:5
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 119:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
K-443 the Law of God (1 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of authentic praise and integrity in the worship of God. He highlights the need for praise to come from a genuine heart that s |
|
Matthew 12:46 to End. He Describes Who Are His Mother and His Brethren. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer reflects on the profound privilege of being considered family by Jesus, emphasizing that spiritual connection to Him is more significant than physical relations |
|
Psalm 119:5-6 by Brent Yim | Brent Yim emphasizes the importance of seeking divine guidance and assistance in obeying God's commandments, recognizing the inherent tendency of the human heart to wander and stra |
|
Crusade 1957 by Billy Graham | This sermon emphasizes the importance of examining and surrendering our hearts to God. It delves into the sinful, wicked, rebellious, and hardened nature of the human heart, highli |
|
Hell-Shaking Prayer by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer, focusing on the story of Daniel who prayed fervently despite facing opposition and the threat of the lion's den. It highlights the |
|
A Pure Heart - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher shares various stories and examples to emphasize the importance of being careful with our actions and choices. He highlights the concept of reaping wha |
|
|
Accountability to God - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the urgency of accountability to God, arguing that if believers truly believed in the imminent return of Jesus, their lives would reflect that belief t |