Psalms 119:56 — Word Study
WLCזֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
BSA◂Thiszôʼth [what I have always done, my practice] is my practicehâyâh■ forkîy [because, since] I obeynâtsar■ [keep, watch over, guard] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands, statutes, divine principles]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֹ֥את | this | Particle |
| הָֽיְתָה־ | it has belonged | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| לִּ֑י | to me | Preposition, suffix |
| כִּ֖י | that | Particle |
| פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ | I have observed | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts. |
| KJV | This I had, because I kept thy precepts. |
| ASV | This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts. ח HHETH. |
| YLT | This hath been to me, That Thy precepts I have kept! |
| WEB | This is my way, that I keep your precepts. HETH |
| BBE | This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart. CHETH |
Where they part company is כִּי — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and a causal clause, indicating the reason for the practice.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectזֹאת
verbהָיָה
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 119:56
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 Commitment to God's Lawgenerated
Psalm 119:56 reflects the psalmist's deep commitment to God's commands. He emphasizes that his practice of obedience is not a fleeting action but a consistent part of his life. This verse sits within a larger meditation on the beauty and importance of God's law, as seen in the surrounding verses that express the psalmist's devotion and desire to follow God's ways.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:165 | Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble. |
| 2 | Psalm 18:18–22 | They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support. |
| 3 | 1 John 3:19–24 | And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פִּקּוּד, piqqudgenerated
The word פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or commandment from God, emphasizing its role as a divine instruction. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint, indicating that these are not arbitrary rules but specific mandates given by God.
In this verse, the use of פִּקּוּד highlights the importance of adhering to God's statutes as a foundational aspect of the psalmist's life, reflecting a commitment to live according to divine principles.
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 the verse is נָצָֽרְתִּי, I have observed, which governs the structure. It is preceded by a subject זֹ֥את (this) and followed by a prepositional phrase לִּ֑י (to me) and a clause explaining the reason for the action.
The word order emphasizes the psalmist's declaration of his practice, with the finite verb concluding the thought and linking it back to his obedience to God's commands.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates פִּקּוּד as ἐντολὰς (entolas), meaning 'commands.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning but broadens the implication to include all divine instructions.
The Greek word αὕτη (hautē) for זֹ֥את emphasizes the specific nature of the psalmist's declaration, indicating a clear and direct reference.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:56 expresses the psalmist's commitment to obeying God's commands as a consistent practice in his life. He emphasizes that this obedience is not just a one-time act but a continual part of his relationship with God.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is stating that his ongoing commitment to obey God's commands is a regular part of his life.
Obedience to God's precepts is essential for living a life that aligns with His will and purpose.
You can reflect on your own practices and consider how you can make obedience to God's commands a consistent part of your daily life.
God's precepts are His commands and guidelines for living, which are meant to guide believers in their actions and decisions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I make obedience to God's commands a regular practice in my life?
- What specific precepts of God do I find most challenging to follow?
- How can reflecting on God's commands help me grow in my faith?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am consistently observing God's precepts?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:56 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis I had, because I kept thy precepts. Either the comfort he had from the word, the pleasure and delight he had in it, being his songs in his pilgrimage, Psalms 119:50; see Psalms 119:165; or this
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThis I had, because I kept thy precepts. This I had, because I kept thy precepts - "this" good I have had as my reward (namely, that thy statutes are "my songs in my pilgrimage," and that "I remember
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis I had, this comfortable and profitable remembrance and contemplation of thy name and statutes, of which he spoke ,55, because I kept thy precepts; which if I had wilfully and wickedly broken, the remembrance of these things would have been sad and frightful to me, as now it is comfortable, because I kept them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.Ver. 56. This I had] This comfort, or this remembrance, or this ability to keep thy law. Because I keep thy precepts] A strange reason, I kept it because I kept it; but every new act of obedience fitteth for a following act, Romans 6:19. As in sin, so in grace, Mark 4:24, acts increase habits, and facilitate the work.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(56) This I had, because . . .—Literally, This was to me, &c, i.e., this consoling recollection of the mercies of God, of His covenant grace, was to him, happened, or came to him, in consequence of his habitual obedience. Virtue is indeed then most its own reward, in times of quiet reflection, like the night, when to the guilty come remorse and apprehension, but to the good man “calm thoughts regular as infant’s breath.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.] Though thou didst leave us under the power of our enemies, yet thou hast not left us without the consolations of thy Spirit. ANALYSIS OF LETTER ZAIN. - Seventh Division In this part the psalmist - I. Prays. II. Shows his trust in God, notwithstanding his discouragements. III. Commends the word of God, by showing what blessed effects it had produced in him. I. 1. He prays: "Remember;" accomplish and perfect thy promise. God's promises are made to prayer and faith; if men do not exert these, God will not fulfil the others. 2. "Made to thy servant:" The promises are made to the obedient. It is in vain to desire God to remember his promises…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges56. Either, This I have had, all this comfort and steadfastness and joy in the midst of the trials and sorrows of life have been mine, because I have kept thy precepts: or, This I have had, that I have kept thy precepts;—whatever advantages others may have had which I have not enjoyed, this supreme privilege has been mine, the keeping of Thy precepts. If this is the meaning, it strikes the keynote of the next stanza.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThis I had, because I kept thy precepts - literally, “This was to me;” that is, This has happened to me; this has occurred.
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
This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
This is my way, that I keep your precepts. HETH
This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
This has been my practice, for I observe your precepts.
Tyndale line
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts. ח HHETH.
This I have had, because I kept thy precepts.
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
This I had because I kept thy precepts.
Strictly literal
This I have had, because I have observed thy precepts.
This hath been to me, That Thy precepts I have kept!
This has been to me, || That I have kept Your precepts!
This came to pass unto me, because I had kept thy precepts.
This has been my practice because I have observed your instructions.
Simplified
For this is how I live my life—by following your principles. Heth
This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart. CHETH
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, "זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃" which translates to "This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in meaning, as all six words correspond, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q10) contain a partially restored text with some words intact, indicating that it aligns closely with the Masoretic Text, though it shows evidence of restoration and some supplied words by an editor. Overall, the core message remains consistent across these witnesses, affirming the practice of obedience to God's precepts.
זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־ לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
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.
[זאת] [היתה] [ל׳י] כי פקדי׳ך [נצרתי]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 4 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 119:56
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.
זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2063 zo'th zothe'
irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--
hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,
so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),
thus.
see HEBREW for 02089
זֹאת (zot) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Pron — ParticleHTm
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
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
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
