Psalms 103:18 — Word Study
WLCלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י בְרִית֑וֹ וּלְזֹכְרֵ֥י פִ֝קֻּדָ֗יו לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם׃
BSAto those who keepshâmar [obey, protect, and guard] His covenantbᵉrîyth [promise, agreement, or treaty] and rememberzâkar [recall, mark, or call to mind] to obeyʻâsâh [follow, or carry out] His preceptspiqqûwd [commandments, laws, or statutes]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י | to [those who] keep | Preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| בְרִית֑וֹ | covenant his | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וּלְזֹכְרֵ֥י | and to [those who] remember | Conjunction, preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| פִ֝קֻּדָ֗יו | precepts his | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם׃ | to do them | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts. |
| KJV | To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. |
| ASV | To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them. |
| YLT | To those keeping His covenant, And to those remembering His precepts to do them. |
| WEB | to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts. |
| BBE | If they keep his agreement, and have his laws in mind to do them. |
Where they part company is זָכַר — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb, two phrases elaborating on the actions of keeping and remembering. The structure emphasizes the connection between obedience and God's covenant.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 103:18
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Love and Righteousnessgenerated
Psalms 103:18 emphasizes the importance of keeping God's covenant and remembering His precepts. This verse highlights the relationship between God's love and the obedience of His people. It follows a declaration of God's everlasting devotion and righteousness, which extends to those who honor His commands. The surrounding verses reinforce the theme of divine faithfulness and the call for human response.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 25:10 | All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees. |
| 2 | Psalm 132:12 | If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.” |
| 3 | Genesis 17:9–10 | God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you. |
| 4 | Exodus 19:5 | Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. |
| 5 | Exodus 24:8 | So Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁמַר, le.sho.me.Reigenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, attending to, or watching over something. In this verse, it refers specifically to keeping God's covenant, indicating a commitment to obedience and faithfulness.
The participle form here, shomrei, indicates ongoing action — those who continually keep or guard the covenant. This reflects a lifestyle of vigilance and dedication to God's commands, as well as a reciprocal relationship where God’s promises are linked to human faithfulness.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in this verse is שֹׁמְרֵ֥י, those who keep, which governs the entire structure. It is followed by a series of phrases that elaborate on the subjects of the keeping: the covenant and the precepts.
The sentence structure emphasizes the actions of the subjects: keeping the covenant and remembering the precepts. This reflects a clear relationship between the actions and the blessings that follow from God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁמַר with φυλάσσουσιν, which means 'to guard' or 'to protect'. This choice highlights the active responsibility of the faithful to safeguard their relationship with God.
The use of μεμνημένοις for זָכַר indicates a more reflective aspect of remembering, suggesting that it involves not just recalling but also acting upon that memory.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 103:18 speaks about those who keep God's covenant and remember to obey His commands. It emphasizes the relationship between God's love and the obedience of His people. This verse encourages faithfulness to God's instructions as a way to receive His blessings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep God's covenant means to faithfully observe and uphold the promises and agreements made between God and His people, demonstrating commitment and obedience.
Remembering God's precepts is crucial because it helps individuals stay aligned with His will and act according to His commandments, fostering a deeper relationship with God.
You can actively keep God's commands by studying His Word, praying for guidance, and consciously making choices that reflect His teachings in your daily life.
Examples of God's covenants include His covenant with Noah after the flood, His covenant with Abraham regarding his descendants, and the covenant given at Mount Sinai with the Israelites.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some specific ways I can keep God's covenant in my daily life?
- How does remembering God's precepts influence my decisions and actions?
- In what ways can I encourage others to uphold God's commands?
- How can I deepen my understanding of the covenants God has made with His people?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers have commented on this verse, discussing the implications of keeping God's commands and the importance of remembering them in the life of faith.
"And His righteousness upon children's children" [Psalms 103:18].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 103 →
Applicable to this difference is what has been written: "And to those who retain his commandments in memory, that they may do them." For many retain them in memory that they may despise them or even deride and attack them.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 103 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 103:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo such as keep his covenant,.... The covenant of grace, which is peculiarly the Lord's covenant, as distinct from man's; and which he keeps himself, and is ever mindful of it.
Read John Gill on Psalms 103 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAs for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 103 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTo such as keep his covenant; to them that perform the condition of God’ s covenant, that sincerely love and obey him. Such restrictions are oft added, as in the general to overthrow the presumptuous hopes of ungodly men, so particularly to admonish the Israelites not to rest too much upon the privileges of their parents, or the covenant made with them, nor to expect any benefit by it, but upon condition of their continuance in God’ s covenant. That remember his commandments to do them; that have them much in their thoughts, and practise them in the course of their lives.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 103 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 103:18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.Ver. 18. To such as keep his covenant] For else they shall know God’ s breach of promise, as it is Numbers 14:3-4. Neither shall it benefit them to have been born of godly parents. To those that remember his commandments] That resolve to do them, though in many things they fail, Qui faciunt praecepta etiamsi non perficiant, that wish well to that which they can never compass, Psalms 119:4-5. If they cannot open the door, yet if they give a pluck at the bolt or a lift of the latch, there is comfort.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 103 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. To such as keep his covenant] The spirit of which was, I will be your GOD; WE will be thy PEOPLE. From the covenant came the commandments, and their obligation to remember and do them; and on such keepers of the covenant, and doers of the commandments, God promises to pour out his mercy through all generations.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 103 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. his commandments] R.V. his precepts.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 103 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTo such as keep his covenant - To such as adhere to the arrangements of his covenant, or who are faithful on their part.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 103 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts.
to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
to those who keep his covenant, who are careful to obey his commands.
Tyndale line
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them.
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his precepts to do them.
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
Vnto them that keepe his couenant, and thinke vpon his commandements to doe them.
Strictly literal
To such as keep his covenant and to those that remember his precepts to do them.
To those keeping His covenant, And to those remembering His precepts to do them.
To those keeping His covenant, || And to those remembering His precepts to do them.
To such as keep his covenant, and to those who remember his precepts to execute them.
They keep his covenant and remember to obey his instructions.
From the Latin
The high hills are a refuge for the harts, the rock for the irchins.
Simplified
to those who keep his agreement and who remember to follow his commandments.
If they keep his agreement, and have his laws in mind to do them.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in this verse, with all five words matched. This consistency indicates a shared understanding of the importance of keeping God's covenant and remembering His precepts.
לְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י בְרִית֑וֹ וּלְזֹכְרֵ֥י פִ֝קֻּדָ֗יו לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 103:18
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--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).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: 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
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
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)
Prep | V-Qal — Preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHR/Vqrmpc
בְּרִית (berith) means 'covenant' and encompasses agreements between individuals, such as treaties and alliances, as well as divine covenants between God and humanity. It is derived from a root meaning 'to cut,' suggesting the seriousness of such agreements. The term appears in various contexts, including friendships, marriages, and formal ordinances.
בְּרִית 285 n.f. covenant
between men.
treaty, alliance, league
constitution, ordinance, between monarch and subjects
agreement, pledge
alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan
alliance of marriage
between God and man.
alliance of friendship
covenant, as a divine constitution or ordinance with signs or pledges
Phrases.
covenant making
covenant keeping
covenant violation
base
H1285 בְּרִית covenant . between men. . treaty, alliance, league
. constitution, ordinance, between monarch and subjects
. agreement, pledge
. alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan
. alliance of marriage
. between God and man. . alliance of friendship
. covenant, as a divine constitution or ordinance with signs or pledges
. Phrases. . covenant making
. covenant keeping
. covenant violation
1285 briyth ber-eeth'
from 1262 (in the sense of cutting (like 1254)); a compact
(because made by passing between pieces of
flesh):--confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league.
see HEBREW for 01262
see HEBREW for 01254
בְּרִית (be.rit) — covenant.
1) covenant, alliance, pledge
1a) between men
1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
1a4) alliance (of friendship)
1a5) alliance (of marriage)
1b) between God and man
1b1) alliance (of friendship)
1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)
2) (phrases)
2a) covenant making
2b) covenant keeping
2c) covenant violation
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3ms
The Hebrew word זָכַר (zakar) means 'to remember' and is built from a primitive root implying recognition. It covers a range of meanings, including recalling thoughts, commemorating days, and causing others to remember. The entries also note its use in various grammatical forms, such as being remembered or making a memorial.
זָכַר vb. remember
Qal
Human subj.
remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
remember persons (human subj.)
remember י׳
remember
think of or on, call to mind something present or future
remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
remember, with implied mention of, obj.
Subj. י׳ (אלהִם)
remember persons
remember the distress of his servants
their devotion
remember his own covenant (with them)
his mercy
extenuating circumstances
remember sins, idolatries
Niph.
be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
Hiph.
cause to remember, remind
cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
mention
record, only pt.
of sacrifice, make a memorial
base
H2142 זָכַר remember .. Human subj. . remember, recall, call to mind, usu. as affecting present feeling, thought or action
. remember persons (human subj.)
. remember י׳
. remember
. think of or on, call to mind something present or future
. remember a day, to observe, commemorate it
. remember, with implied mention of, obj.
. Subj. י׳ (אלהִם) . remember persons
. . remember the distress of his servants
. their devotion
. . remember his own covenant (with them)
. his mercy
. extenuating circumstances
. remember sins, idolatries
. . be brought to remembrance, remembered, thought of, usu. c. neg.
. neg. be not remembered = no longer exist, of name of Israel, as nation
. be remembered, of particular days, in order to be observed, commemorated
. . cause to remember, remind
. cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
. mention
. record, only pt.
. of sacrifice, make a memorial
2142 zakar zaw-kar'
a primitive root; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized),
i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; also (as
denominative from 2145) to be male:--X burn (incense), X
earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount,
record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call,
come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X
well.
see HEBREW for 02145
זָכַר (za.khar) — to remember.
1) to remember, recall, call to mind
1a) (Qal) to remember, recall
1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to remember, remind
1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance
1c3) to mention
1c4) to record
1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance
Conj | Prep | V-Qal — Conjunction · preposition · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHC/R/Vqrmpc
פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or mandate, specifically one that is appointed by God. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint and is used in a plural form to collectively denote commandments or statutes within the Law.
[פִּקּוּד] 24 n.m. precept
base
H6490 [פִּקּוּד] precept
6490 piqquwd pik-kood'
or piqqud {pik-kood'}; from 6485; properly, appointed, i.e. a
mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the
Law):--commandment, precept, statute.
see HEBREW for 06485
פִּקּוּד (piq.qud) — precept.
precept, statute
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp3mp