Psalms 119:4 — Word Study
WLCאַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃
BSA◂Youʼattâh [the Lord] have ordainedtsâvâh■ [commanded, given orders] Your preceptspiqqûwd [instructions, divine laws] that we should keep themshâmar [obey, guard, with care] diligentlymᵉʼôd [very carefully, with great attention]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַ֭תָּה | you | Pronoun |
| צִוִּ֥יתָה | you have commanded | Verb, Piel, perfect second person masculine singular |
| פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לִשְׁמֹ֥ר | to keep | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| מְאֹֽד׃ | exceedingly | Adv |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. |
| KJV | Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. |
| ASV | Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently. |
| YLT | Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently, |
| WEB | You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them. |
| BBE | You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care. |
Where they part company is צִוִּ֥יתָה — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with two subordinate phrases, indicating the purpose and manner of keeping the precepts.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַתָּה
verbצָוָה
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 119:4
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 — The Importance of God's Preceptsgenerated
Psalms 119:4 emphasizes the significance of God's commands, highlighting the psalmist's recognition of their divine origin and the responsibility to observe them. This verse is part of a larger meditation on God's law, where the psalmist expresses a desire to walk in obedience, as seen in the surrounding verses, including Psalm 119:3 and Psalm 119:5.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 4:1–9 | Hear now, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and may enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 5:29–33 | If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 6:17 | You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 11:13–22 | So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 12:32 | See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — צִוִּ֥יתָה, tzi.Vi.tahgenerated
The verb צִוִּ֥יתָה (tzi.Vi.tah) is a perfect form in the Piel stem, indicating a completed action of commanding or giving orders. It conveys a sense of authority and intention, showing that God has established His precepts with the expectation of obedience.
This command is not merely a suggestion; it carries the weight of divine authority, underscoring the importance of adhering to God's instructions as a fundamental aspect of faith.
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 צִוִּ֥יתָה (you have commanded) governs the entire sentence, with a noun phrase as its object and an infinitive phrase indicating the purpose of the command. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's recognition of God's authority and the resulting obligation to obey.
The order of the Hebrew words highlights the direct address to God, placing emphasis on the relationship between the psalmist and the divine command.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates צִוִּ֥יתָה as ἐνετείλω (enetēlō), which carries a similar meaning of commanding. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of the authority behind the commands, emphasizing their binding nature.
The use of the Greek word indicates a direct correlation to the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the concept of divine instruction that requires adherence.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 119:4 states that God has commanded His people to keep His precepts diligently. This reflects the importance of following divine instructions carefully, as emphasized throughout the psalm.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep God's precepts diligently means to obey and guard His commandments with great care and attention, reflecting a serious commitment to following His guidance.
Following God's commands is important because they are seen as divine instructions that lead to a fulfilling and righteous life.
One can ensure they are keeping God's commandments by studying Scripture, praying for guidance, and seeking to live in accordance with His will.
The word 'precepts' signifies God's specific instructions or laws that are meant to guide His people in their daily lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I be more diligent in keeping God's commandments in my life?
- How do I understand the authority behind God's precepts?
- What practices can help me remind myself of God's instructions daily?
- How can I encourage others to observe God's laws with care?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, referenced this verse to discuss the importance of diligently keeping God's commandments.
What means, "You have charged that we shall keep Your commandments too much"? [Psalms 119:4].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
You have commanded your commandments to be kept most diligently. O! that my ways may be directed to obey your decrees. Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all your commandments.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThou 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
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThou 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleNor 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 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.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 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.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. 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.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThou hast commanded - All this is here traced to the command of God; to the fact that he has required it.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleà, Aleph.1-8. Blessed are the undefiled—This, the first division, contains a general declaration of the blessing of faithfulness to the divine law.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →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
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
You demand that your precepts be carefully kept.
Tyndale line
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Thou hast commanded to keepe thy precepts diligently.
Strictly literal
Thou hast enjoined thy precepts, to be kept diligently.
Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently,
You have commanded us to diligently keep Your precepts,
Thou thyself hast commanded us thy precepts, that we might keep [them] diligently.
You have commanded us to keep your instructions so that we should carefully observe them.
From the Latin
The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.
Simplified
You have ordered us to follow your instructions carefully.
You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.
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 reads אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃, while the Septuagint matches all five words, indicating a strong agreement in the core message. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some damage, with two words intact and three supplied by an editor, but the essence remains aligned with the Masoretic Text.
אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃
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.
את [צויתה] [פקודי׳כה] [לשמור] מואד׳ה
2 words on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
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 119:4
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.
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
צָוָה (tsavah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to command or give orders. It is built from a primitive root and primarily used in the Piel form, indicating actions like appointing or charging someone with a task. The entries highlight its various applications, including laying charges and sending messengers. There are no noted disagreements among the lexicons.
[צָוָה] 485 vb. Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
base
H6680 צָוָה Pi. lay charge (upon), give charge (to), charge, command, order
6680 tsavah tsaw-vaw'
a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute,
enjoin:--appoint, (for-)bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give
in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put,
(set) in order.
צָוָה (tsa.vah) — to command.
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
V-Piel-Perf-2ms — Verb · Piel · perfect second person masculine singularHVpp2ms
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/Sp2ms
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-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or
without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,
speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,
especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
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
Adv — AdvHAcmsa