I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, [even unto] the end.
I have inclined {H5186} mine heart {H3820} to perform {H6213} thy statutes {H2706} alway {H5769}, even unto the end {H6118}.
I have resolved to obey your laws forever, at every step.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end.
I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end. ס SAMEKH.
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Psalms 119:33
¶ HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it [unto] the end. -
Psalms 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. -
Psalms 119:44
So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. -
1 Kings 8:58
That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. -
Joshua 24:23
Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. -
Psalms 141:4
Incline not my heart to [any] evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. -
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.
Psalm 119:112 (KJV) declares the psalmist's profound and enduring commitment to God's divine law: "I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, [even unto] the end." This verse is a powerful statement of intentional, lifelong obedience to the Lord's commands.
Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem dedicating every one of its 176 verses to the praise and importance of God's Word. The psalmist uses various synonyms for God's law—such as statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and testimonies—to express a deep, consistent devotion. This particular verse reflects a deliberate act of will, a personal vow to live according to divine principles, not just for a season but for one's entire life. It stands as a testament to the psalmist's unwavering dedication amidst life's challenges, a recurring theme throughout the psalm.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase "inclined mine heart" comes from natah libbi (נָטָה לִבִּי). The verb natah means to stretch out, incline, or bend, implying a conscious and active turning of one's will. The "heart" (lev) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the core of one's being—intellect, will, and moral compass. Therefore, "inclined mine heart" means a deliberate decision of the inner person to align fully with God's commands. The term "statutes" (chuqqim) refers to God's engraved or prescribed ordinances, emphasizing their fixed and authoritative nature.
Practical Application
Psalm 119:112 challenges believers today to examine the depth of their own commitment to God's Word. Is our obedience a fleeting effort or a lifelong resolve? This verse encourages us to:
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is demonstrated through a consistent, heartfelt inclination to live according to God's perfect will.