Psalms 119:151 — Word Study
WLCקָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְֽכָל־ מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃
BSAYouʼattâh [are present with me, near] are nearqârôwb O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the covenant God] and allkôl [every one of] Your commandmentsmitsvâh [laws, teachings] are trueʼemeth [faithful, trustworthy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| קָר֣וֹב | [are] near | Adj |
| אַתָּ֣ה | you | Pronoun |
| יְהוָ֑ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| וְֽכָל־ | and all | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ | commandments your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| אֱמֶֽת׃ | [are] truth | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true. |
| KJV | Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. |
| ASV | Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth. |
| YLT | Near [art] Thou, O Jehovah, And all Thy commands [are] truth. |
| WEB | You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth. |
| BBE | You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true. |
The translations agree on the meanings of קָרֹוב and אֱמֶת — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a predicate that affirms the truth of God's commandments.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַתָּה
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 119:151
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 — Meditation on God's Lawgenerated
Psalm 119:151 reflects the psalmist's assurance of God's nearness and the reliability of His commandments. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the nature of God's law, emphasizing the contrast between the wicked and the faithful. The psalmist finds comfort in knowing that God is always present, guiding his life through His commandments, which are described as true and trustworthy.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. |
| 2 | Psalm 75:1 | We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. The people declare Your wondrous works. |
| 3 | Psalm 139:2 | You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. |
| 4 | Psalm 145:18 | The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 4:7 | For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — קָרֹוב, ka.Rovgenerated
The word קָרֹוב (qarowb) means 'near' and indicates proximity in various contexts, whether in place, time, or relationships. In this verse, it highlights the closeness of God to the psalmist, suggesting an intimate relationship.
This adjective is derived from a root that implies approaching or being allied. Its frequent use in the Hebrew Bible, including familial contexts, underscores the significance of God's presence in the life of the believer.
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 finite verb structure is simple, with the subject אַתָּה (attah) 'you' directly addressing God, followed by two predicates: קָרֹוב (qarowb) and אֱמֶת (emeth). This structure emphasizes God's immediate presence and the reliability of His commandments.
The word order in Hebrew places the subject first, establishing a direct address to God, followed by affirmations of His nearness and the truth of His commandments.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, קָרֹוב is translated as ἐγγὺς (engus), meaning 'near.' This translation maintains the sense of proximity found in the Hebrew.
The choice of ἀλήθεια (alētheia) for אֱמֶת emphasizes the truthfulness and reliability of God's commandments, aligning closely with the Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:151 tells us that God is near and that all His commandments are true. This verse reassures the believer of God's presence and the reliability of His laws, which guide their life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies that God is present and accessible to those who seek Him, providing comfort and guidance.
God's commandments are considered true because they reflect His character and are reliable for guiding moral and ethical behavior.
One can experience God's nearness through prayer, meditation on His word, and obedience to His commandments.
The commandments represent God's guidance and moral law, which are essential for living a life aligned with His will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I feel God's presence in my daily life?
- How can I ensure that I am following God's commandments faithfully?
- What does it mean for me to trust in the truth of God's teachings?
- How can I share the assurance of God's nearness with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse includes a quote from Augustine of Hippo, who reflects on the truth of God's ways as expressed in this psalm.
Lastly, it follows, "You are near at hand, O Lord, and all Your ways are truth" [Psalms 119:151].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:151 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThou [art] near, O Lord,.... This was the comfort of the psalmist, that though his enemies drew nigh with a mischievous design upon him, yet his God was also near, and nearer than they; he was near
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments (are) truth - (Psalms 119:142.) My enemies draw near (Psalms 119:150), but thou art far
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 151. Thou art near to me. Thou art as ready and present to succour me as they are to molest me. Thy commandments; considered with the promises and threatenings, which are frequently annexed to them. Or, the promises, as this word seems to be used, , and elsewhere in this Psalm. And God is said to command not only his precepts, or the observation thereof, but also his covenant, 111:9, which is a collection or body of the promises; and his loving-kindness, , which is the fountain of the promises; and his blessing, , which is the fruit of his promises; and deliverances, , which are the things promised. And therefore it is not strange if he promises be sometimes called commandments.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:151 Thou [art] near, O LORD; and all thy commandments [are] truth.Ver. 151. Thou art near, O Lord] To counterwork and control the enemy; as also to safeguard and support thy people.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(150, 151) Near.—Notice the antithesis. They, the wicked, are near with their temptation to sin and their hindrances to virtue. Thou art near with the aid and support of Thy law.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 151. Thou art near] As they are near to destroy, so art thou near to save. When the enemy comes in as a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges145–152. Qôph. Unceasing prayer to be kept faithful in the midst of faithlessness is the rule of the Psalmist’s life.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThou art near, O Lord - God was present with him; he was ready to hear his cry; he was at hand to save him. Compare Psalms 145:18.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 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
You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.
You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
You are near, O Lord, and all your commands are reliable.
Tyndale line
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth.
Thou art nigh, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Thou art neere, O Lord: for all thy commandements are true.
Strictly literal
Thou, Jehovah, art near, and all thy commandments are truth.
Near [art] Thou, O Jehovah, And all Thy commands [are] truth.
You [are] near, O YHWH, || And all Your commands [are] truth.
Near art thou, O Lord; and all thy commandments are the truth.
You are near, Yahweh, and all your commandments are trustworthy.
Simplified
But you, Lord, are close beside me; all your commandments are true.
You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true.
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 on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of this verse across multiple ancient witnesses.
קָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְֽכָל־ מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃
6 of the 6 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.
קרוב אתה יהוה וכול מצוותי׳כה אמת
6 words on the leather.
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 119:151
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.
קָרֹב (qarowb) means 'near' and can refer to proximity in place, time, or personal relationships, including kinship. It is derived from the root meaning to approach or be allied. The term appears in various contexts, such as describing the nearest city or a neighbor, as well as in relation to God.
קָרֹב, קָרוֹב 78 adj. near;—
of city, the nearest
of pers.:
the nearest to; his neighbour.
abs.
of near relationship
near to י׳
near to י׳ in ceremon. function
of God (י׳)
of word
of time
base
H7138 קָרֹב, קָרוֹב near
7138 qarowb kaw-robe'
or qarob {kaw-robe'}; from 7126; near (in place, kindred or
time):--allied, approach, at hand, + any of kin,
kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is)
next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly).
see HEBREW for 07126
קָרֹב (qa.rov) — near.
1) near
1a) of place
1b) of time
1c) of personal relationship
1c1) kinship
Adj — AdjHAamsa
אַתָּ֫ה (attah) is a second-person pronoun in Hebrew, used to address someone directly. It has masculine and feminine forms: אַתָּה for singular masculine, אַתְּ for singular feminine, אַתֶּם for plural masculine, and אַתֵּן for plural feminine. The entries indicate variations in form and usage, reflecting the pronoun's grammatical complexity.
אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou
base
אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.)
base
אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.)
base
אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.)
base
אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
base
H859a אַתָּ֫ה, אָ֑תָּה pron. 2 s. m. thou H859b אתי, i.e. אתִּי, the older & more original form of אַתְּ thou (fem.) H859c אַתְּ, אָ֑תְּ pron. 2 s. f. thou (fem.) H859d אַתֶּם pron. 2 m. pl. you (masc.) H859e אַתֵּן pron. 2 f. pl. you (fem.)
859 'attah at-taw'
or (shortened); aatta {at-taw'}; or wath {ath}; feminine
(irregular) sometimes nattiy {at-tee'}; plural masculine attem
{at- tem'}; feminine atten {at-ten'}; or oattenah
{at-tay'naw}; or fattennah {at-tane'-naw}; a primitive pronoun
of the second person; thou and thee, or (plural) ye and
you:--thee, thou, ye, you.
אַתָּ֫ה (at.tah) — you(m.s.).
you (second pers. sing. masc.)
אתִּי (ti) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתְּ (at.te) — you(f.s.).
you (second pers. sing. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
אַתֶּם (at.tem) — you(m.p.).
you (second pers. pl. masc.)
Aramaic equivalent: an.tun (אַנְתּוּן "you" H0608)
אַתֵּן (at.ten) — you(f.p.).
you (second pers. pl. fem.)
A grammatical form of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
Pron — PronounHPp2ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.
מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment
base
H4687 מִצְוָה commandment
4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'
from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,
the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.
1) commandment
1a) commandment (of man)
1b) the commandment (of God)
1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
אֱמֶת (emeth) encompasses concepts of firmness, faithfulness, and truth. It signifies reliability and stability, often in the context of ethical or religious knowledge. The word can also function as an adverb meaning 'in truth' or 'truly.' There is a consistent emphasis on its meanings related to certainty and trustworthiness across the entries.
אֱמֶת n.f. firmness, faithfulness
reliability, sureness
stability, continuance
faithfulness, reliableness
truth
adv. in truth, truly
base
H571 אֱמֶת firmness, faithfulness . reliability, sureness
. stability, continuance
. faithfulness, reliableness
. truth
. adv. in truth, truly
571 'emeth eh'-meth
contracted from 539; stability; (figuratively) certainty,
truth, trustworthiness:--assured(-ly), establishment,
faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
see HEBREW for 0539
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: faithful.
: faithful
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: true.
: true
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
1d3) of divine instruction
1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge
1d5) true doctrine
adv
2) in truth, truly
אֱמֶת (e.met) — truth: certain.
: certain/fixed
1) firmness, faithfulness, truth
1a) sureness, reliability
1b) stability, continuance
1c) faithfulness, reliableness
1d) truth
1d1) as spoken
1d2) of testimony and judgment
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
trooth (`emeth, emunah, primary idea of "firmness," "stability" (compare Ex 17:12), hence "constancy," "faithfulness," etc.; the Septuagint's Apocrypha and the New Testament, aletheia (Ro 3:7), pistis (Ro 3:3); in adjectival and adverbial sense, "in truth," "of a truth," "faithful," etc.; alethos (Lu 21:3; Joh 6:14; 7:40; 1Th 2:13); alethinos (Joh 17:3); ontos (1Co 14:25); pistos (1Ti 3:1); in the King James…
Truth
Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called “the truth of the gospel” (Gal. 2:5), “the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, “I am the way, and the truth” (John 14:6).
- God is a God of
- Christ is
Joh 14:6; 7:18
- Christ was full of
- Christ spoke
- The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of