King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Complete Jewish Bible:
My soul observes your instruction, and I love it so much!
Berean Standard Bible:
I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly.
American Standard Version:
My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
My soul{H5315} hath kept{H8104} thy testimonies{H5713}; and I love{H157} them exceedingly{H3966}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Romans 7:22
- For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Psalms 40:8
- I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
Hebrews 10:16
- This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Psalms 119:97
- ¶ MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day.
John 15:9
- ¶ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15:10
- If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Psalms 119:159
- ¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
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Commentary for Psalms 119:167
Psalm 119:167 is part of the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, which is an acrostic poem extolling the virtues of God's law, statutes, and commandments. Each of its 22 stanzas begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the verses within each stanza start with that same letter. This structure was meant to aid in memorization and to reflect a comprehensive and systematic adherence to the divine word.
The verse itself, "My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly," expresses a deep personal commitment and affection for God's commandments. The psalmist declares that their innermost being—their soul—has not only obeyed but also cherished God's instructions. This speaks to an intimate relationship with God, where adherence to divine law is not merely an external observance but a matter of heartfelt devotion.
In the historical context, the emphasis on keeping God's testimonies would resonate with the Jewish understanding of the Torah, the Law of Moses, which was central to Israelite religious and social life. The psalmist's love for God's law reflects the high regard in which the Torah was held within ancient Israelite society. This verse, like the rest of Psalm 119, would have served as a meditation on the spiritual blessings that come from a life lived in accordance with God's will, as well as a didactic tool to encourage others in their faithfulness to the covenant.
In summary, Psalm 119:167 encapsulates the psalmist's profound reverence for and joy in God's commandments, emphasizing an internalized obedience that goes beyond rote ritual to a place of sincere love and devotion. This verse, within the larger context of Psalm 119, underscores the significance of God's law in the life of the faithful and serves as a testament to the spiritual discipline and affection that the psalmist, and by extension the readers, hold for the divine testimonies.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5315
There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
Transliteration: nephesh
Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. - Strong's Number: H8104
There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַר
Transliteration: shâmar
Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
Description: 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). - Strong's Number: H5713
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵדָה
Transliteration: ʻêdâh
Pronunciation: ay-daw'
Description: feminine of עֵד in its techn. sense; testimony; testimony, witness. Compare עֵדָה. - Strong's Number: H157
There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָהַב
Transliteration: ʼâhab
Pronunciation: aw-hab'
Description: or אָהֵב ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise); (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. - Strong's Number: H3966
There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְאֹד
Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
Pronunciation: meh-ode'
Description: from the same as אוּד; 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), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.