¶ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have refrained {H3607} my feet {H7272} from every evil {H7451} way {H734}, that I might keep {H8104} thy word {H1697}.
I keep my feet from every evil way, in order to observe your word.
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word.
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Proverbs 1:15
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: -
1 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: -
1 Peter 3:11
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. -
Psalms 119:104
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. -
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. -
1 Peter 2:1
¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, -
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Psalms 119:101 presents a powerful declaration of personal commitment to God's righteousness. The psalmist asserts a deliberate choice to avoid sin, not as an end in itself, but as a means to a greater spiritual purpose: to uphold and live by God's divine word.
Context
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, a majestic acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 sections, comprising eight verses, begins with a successive letter. This entire psalm is a profound meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and power of God's Law (often translated as "word," "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "judgments," "ordinances," "testimonies," and "ways"). Verse 101 falls within the 'Kaph' section (verses 93-104), which continues the theme of the psalmist's deep devotion to God's word and his reliance on it for life and understanding. The declaration here is consistent with the psalm's overall message: true blessedness comes from delighting in and obeying God's instruction, which naturally leads one away from paths of evil.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase for "refrained my feet" is kālî’ṯî raḡlay (כָּלִ֥אתִי רַגְלַי֮), which literally means "I have held back my feet" or "I have kept my feet from proceeding." This conveys a strong sense of deliberate self-restraint and prevention. The term "evil way" (מִכָּל־אֹ֣רַח רָ֑ע – mikkol-’ōraḥ ra‘) refers to any path or course of conduct that is morally corrupt or contrary to God's standards, emphasizing a comprehensive commitment to avoiding all forms of wickedness.
Practical Application
This verse serves as a timeless reminder that our choices have direct consequences on our spiritual lives. To truly "keep God's word" – to understand it, embrace it, and live by it – we must actively and intentionally turn away from "every evil way." This means:
Psalms 119:101 encourages believers to cultivate a disciplined life, recognizing that freedom from sin is not merely about avoiding punishment, but about clearing the path for a deeper, more profound relationship with God and a more faithful adherence to His life-giving word.