Psalms 119:63 — Word Study
WLCחָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכָל־ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְרֵא֑וּךָ וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
BSAIʼănîy [personally, as an individual] am a friendchâbêr [companion, fellow worshiper] to allkôl [every one, everything] whoʼăsher fear Youyârêʼ■ [revere, stand in awe of] and to those who keepshâmar [people, individuals, obey, protect] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands, divine instructions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| חָבֵ֣ר | [am] a companion | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| אָ֭נִי | I | Pronoun |
| לְכָל־ | of all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אֲשֶׁ֣ר | [those] who | Particle |
| יְרֵא֑וּךָ | they fear you | Verb qal perfect third person common plural, suffix |
| וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י | and of [those who] keep | Conjunction, preposition, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. |
| KJV | I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. |
| ASV | I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts. |
| YLT | A companion I [am] to all who fear Thee, And to those keeping Thy precepts. |
| WEB | I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts. |
| BBE | I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory. |
All translations agree on the meaning of חָבֵר as 'friend' or 'companion.'
The main clause is supported by two relative clauses that define the groups of people the psalmist identifies with.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
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 119:63
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 — A Reflection on Friendship with the Godlygenerated
Psalm 119:63 highlights the psalmist's connection with those who fear God and keep His commandments. This verse emphasizes the value of companionship among those who share a common reverence for God. The surrounding verses reflect a deep commitment to God's laws and a desire for community with like-minded individuals, reinforcing the importance of mutual support in faith.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:79–115 | May those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies. |
| 2 | Psalm 16:3 | As for the saints in the land, they are the excellence in whom all my delight resides. |
| 3 | Psalm 101:6 | My eyes favor the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way of integrity shall minister to me. |
| 4 | Psalm 142:7 | Free my soul from prison, that I may praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because of Your goodness to me. |
| 5 | Proverbs 13:20 | He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָבֵר, cha.Vergenerated
The word חָבֵר (cha.Ver) is a noun that means 'companion' or 'fellow worshiper.' It denotes someone who is united with others, often in a spiritual or communal context. This term emphasizes the bonds formed through shared beliefs and practices.
In this verse, the psalmist identifies himself as a friend to all who fear God, indicating a deep sense of belonging and solidarity with those who revere divine authority. The parsing as a masculine singular noun highlights the personal nature of this companionship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the essential meaning of חָבֵר as 'friend' or 'companion.' The BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE all reflect this understanding, emphasizing the psalmist's connection with those who fear God.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the finite verb יְרֵא֑וּךָ, they fear You, with two phrases hanging off it: a prepositional phrase identifying the psalmist as a friend and a participial phrase describing those who keep God's commands. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's relationship with both God and fellow believers.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the psalmist's identity as a friend, followed by the qualities of those he associates with, indicating the importance of shared reverence and obedience to God's instructions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew חָבֵר is rendered as μέτοξος (metoxos), which also conveys the idea of companionship or fellowship. This choice underscores the communal aspect of faith shared among those who fear God.
The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the importance of unity among worshipers, aligning with the original Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:63 shows the psalmist declaring that he is a friend to everyone who fears God and keeps His commandments. This verse highlights the importance of community among those who share a reverence for God and a commitment to His teachings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To fear God means to have a deep respect and reverence for Him, recognizing His power and authority.
Companionship with those who fear God encourages mutual support in faith and strengthens one's commitment to God's commands.
God's precepts are His commandments and divine instructions that guide believers in their moral and spiritual lives.
Being a friend to those who fear God involves supporting and encouraging one another in faith, sharing in worship, and living according to God's teachings.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How can I cultivate friendships with those who share my reverence for God?
- What role do God's commandments play in my relationships with others?
- In what ways can I support fellow believers in their walk with God?
- How does my understanding of God's precepts influence my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, have commented on this verse, interpreting it in the context of fellowship with God and His commandments.
For I imagine that what follows, "I am a companion of all them that fear You, and keep Your commandments" [Psalms 119:63], does relate to the Head Himself,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:63 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI [am] a companion of all [them] that fear thee,.... Not of the rich and mighty, much less of the wicked and ungodly; but of such who had the true fear of God upon their hearts, and before their
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. 'A man is known by his companions' (Amos 3:3; Malachi 3:16-17).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleNot excepting the poorest and meanest, whose society other princes disdain.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:63 I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.Ver. 63. I am a companion of all them] Though never so mean, if there be aliquid Christi in them. Grace is of a uniting property, and purgeth out partiality, James 2:1-2. That keep thy precepts] The best proof of true fear of God, Psalms 103:13 Acts 10:35.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 63. I am a companion] This was the natural consequence of his own conversion; he abandoned the workers of iniquity, and associated with them that feared the Lord.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges57–64. Chçth. The Psalmist’s devotion to Jehovah and His law.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI am a companion of all them that fear thee - I find my associates and friends among those who worship thee; not with the profane and the wicked.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleç, Cheth.57-64. Thou art my portion—Having found in the statutes of the Lord the joy and solace mentioned in the last division, the writer now earnestly prays that, as the highest good, he may have a
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
I am a friend to all your loyal followers, and to those who keep your precepts.
Tyndale line
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, And of them that observe thy precepts.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that observe thy precepts.
I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
I am companion of all them that feare thee, and keepe thy precepts.
Strictly literal
I am the companion of all that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
A companion I [am] to all who fear Thee, And to those keeping Thy precepts.
I [am] a companion to all who fear You, || And to those keeping Your precepts.
An associate am I unto all that fear thee, and unto those that keep thy precepts.
I am a companion of all who honor you, to all who observe your instructions.
Simplified
I identify with all those who follow you, those who do what you tell them.
I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.
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, with all words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of this verse across different manuscripts.
חָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכָל־ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְרֵא֑וּךָ וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃
7 of the 7 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.
חבר אני לכול אשר יראו׳כה ולשומרי פקודי׳כה
7 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 119:63
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.
חָבֵר (chaber) refers to a companion or associate, emphasizing the idea of being united or knit together. It can denote a fellow worshipper or someone who shares a bond with others. The term appears in contexts that highlight companionship and unity.
חָבֵר adj. and n.m. united, associate, companion
adj. united
n. associate, fellow
companion at a particular time
base
H2270 חָבֵר united, associate, companion
2270 chaber khaw-bare'
from 2266; an associate:--companion, fellow, knit together.
see HEBREW for 02266
חָבֵר (cha.ver) — companion.
adj
1) united
n m
2) associate, fellow, worshippers
3) companion
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
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)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
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).
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Rel — ParticleHTr
יָרֵא (yare') is a Hebrew verb meaning to fear or be afraid, encompassing a range of meanings from reverence and honor to causing terror. It appears in various forms, including Qal (to fear), Niphal (to be fearful), and Piel (to terrify). The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions, emphasizing awe and respect, particularly in relation to the divine.
יָרֵא vb. fear
Qal
fear, be afraid
stand in awe of
fear, reverence, honour
Niph.
be fearful, dreadful
cause astonishment and awe
inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
Piel. make afraid, terrify
base
H3372 יָרֵא fear .. fear, be afraid
. stand in awe of
. fear, reverence, honour
. . be fearful, dreadful
. cause astonishment and awe
. inspire reverence, godly fear, and awe
. make afraid, terrify
3372 yare' yaw-ray'
a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to
frighten:--affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in)
fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), X see,
terrible (act, -ness, thing).
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear.
: frightening(DANGER)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
יָרֵא (ya.re) — to fear: revere.
: awesome(god)
1) to fear, revere, be afraid
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to fear, be afraid
1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed
1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared
1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe
1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe
1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify
2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Also means: ya.re (יָרֵא ": frightening" H3372)
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff — Verb qal perfect third person common plural · suffixHVqp3cp/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)
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/Sp2ms
