Psalms 119:133

KJV

¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Order {H3559} my steps {H6471} in thy word {H565}: and let not any iniquity {H205} have dominion {H7980} over me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Guide my footsteps by your word; don't let any kind of sin rule me.

Berean Standard Bible

Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.

American Standard Version

Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:133 is a fervent prayer for divine direction and liberation from the oppressive power of sin. The psalmist expresses a profound desire for God to establish and guide his life according to the principles of His revealed Word, simultaneously pleading for protection against the enslaving influence of moral evil. It encapsulates a deep recognition of human dependence on God for righteous living and spiritual freedom, highlighting the transformative power of divine truth in the daily walk of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each letter. It is a profound meditation on, and celebration of, God's Torah (Law, Word, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, testimonies). This particular verse, Psalms 119:133, falls within the section corresponding to the Hebrew letter 'Pe' (פ), which spans verses 129-136. This section, like many others in the psalm, emphasizes the psalmist's deep love for God's testimonies, his desire for understanding, and his plea for divine intervention against oppression and sin. The preceding verses often express awe at God's precepts and a longing for their full comprehension, while the following verses continue the theme of seeking God's face and lamenting the transgression of others. The prayer for "ordered steps" and freedom from "iniquity's dominion" is a natural continuation of this overarching theme of devotion to God's Word and the pursuit of holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during a period of national or personal distress, Psalm 119 reflects the deep-seated importance of the Torah in ancient Israelite life. For the Israelites, God's "Word" (Torah) was not merely a set of rules but the very revelation of His character, His covenant, and His will for His people. It was the foundation of their identity, their moral compass, and their guide for communal and individual living. To "order steps in thy word" meant to live in accordance with this divine blueprint for life, acknowledging God's sovereignty over every decision and action. The concept of "iniquity having dominion" speaks to the pervasive reality of sin and its enslaving nature, a struggle deeply understood within the covenant community. The prayer is rooted in the Israelite understanding that true freedom and blessedness came from obedience to God's commands, while disobedience led to bondage and judgment, as seen throughout the narratives of [the Pentateuch](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and [the historical books](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings 1 - David's Final Days").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Guidance**, portraying God's Word as the indispensable compass for navigating life's complexities. The psalmist acknowledges that human wisdom alone is insufficient, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart"), which encourages trusting in the Lord for direction. Secondly, it underscores the **Authority and Sufficiency of God's Word**, presenting it not merely as a suggestion but as the ultimate standard for righteous living. The plea "in thy word" emphasizes that true guidance is always congruent with God's revealed truth, a sentiment reinforced by [Psalms 119:105](/psalms/119-105 "Psalms 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp"), which describes God's Word as a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. Thirdly, the verse addresses the **Struggle Against Sin**, revealing a profound awareness of sin's insidious power and a fervent desire for liberation from its dominion. This resonates with the New Testament's teaching on the enslaving nature of sin and the freedom found in Christ, as articulated in [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12 "Romans 6:12-14 - Sin Shall Not Have Dominion"). Finally, it embodies a deep **Prayer for Righteousness and Holiness**, reflecting a heart committed to living a life pleasing to God, free from the defilement and control of wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Order (Hebrew, כּוּן _kun_):** This verb means "to establish," "to set up," "to make firm," "to prepare," or "to direct." It implies more than just a casual suggestion; it's a prayer for God to firmly establish, stabilize, and direct the psalmist's every movement and decision. It suggests a desire for a secure, divinely-appointed path, free from wavering or stumbling. The nuance is one of divine superintendence and foundational stability.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, עָוֹן _ʿawon_):** This term refers to "perversity," "moral evil," "guilt," or "punishment for sin." It often carries the connotation of a twisting or deviation from what is right, a distortion of God's standard. It's not just a mistake but a deliberate turning away, implying culpability and the destructive consequences that follow. The psalmist is praying to be free from the very nature and power of this moral corruption.
* **Dominion (Hebrew, מָשַׁל _mashal_):** This verb means "to rule," "to reign," "to have power over," or "to govern." When applied to iniquity, it vividly portrays sin as a tyrannical master seeking to enslave and control. The prayer is against sin's ability to exert mastery, to dictate choices, and to lead the individual away from God's righteous path. It underscores the psalmist's desire for spiritual freedom from such oppressive rule.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Order my steps in thy word":** This is a profound plea for divine guidance and establishment. "My steps" is a common biblical metaphor for one's life course, actions, and decisions. The psalmist is asking God not merely to show him the way, but to actively "establish" or "make firm" his path, ensuring that every movement is aligned with God's revealed will. The phrase "in thy word" specifies the standard and source of this divine ordering. It is not arbitrary guidance but direction rooted in the unchanging, authoritative truth of God's commandments, statutes, and precepts. This emphasizes a life lived in conscious, continuous obedience to Scripture.
* **"and let not any iniquity have dominion over me":** This second clause reveals the spiritual struggle and the desire for liberation. Following the prayer for positive divine guidance, this is a negative plea for protection. The psalmist recognizes the pervasive and powerful nature of "iniquity" (moral evil, perversity) and prays that it would not gain "dominion" or mastery over his life. This acknowledges sin's potential to enslave and control human choices and actions. It is a prayer for spiritual freedom, for the ability to resist temptation and to live under God's benevolent rule rather than under the tyranny of sin.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:133 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Prayer**, as the entire verse is a direct address to God, expressing a heartfelt supplication. This highlights the psalmist's absolute dependence on divine intervention for both guidance and deliverance. **Metaphor** is also central, particularly in the phrase "Order my steps," where "steps" represents the entirety of one's life, actions, and moral conduct. Similarly, "iniquity have dominion over me" uses the metaphor of **Slavery or Tyranny** to describe the oppressive and controlling power of sin. The contrast between being "ordered in thy word" and "iniquity having dominion" creates a subtle **Antithesis**, emphasizing the two opposing forces vying for control over the psalmist's life: divine truth leading to freedom, versus sin leading to bondage. This juxtaposition underscores the critical choice and the need for divine assistance in navigating the spiritual battle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully articulates the core theological truth of human dependence on God for both righteous living and spiritual freedom. It underscores the active role of God's Word as the primary means by which He directs His people, transforming their inner desires and outward actions. The psalmist's prayer is not for a passive existence but for an empowered one, where God's truth establishes the path and His power breaks the chains of sin. This reflects a covenantal understanding of life, where obedience to God's revealed will is the pathway to blessing and liberation, while deviation leads to bondage. It anticipates the New Testament emphasis on walking by the Spirit, where divine empowerment enables believers to overcome the desires of the flesh and live in conformity to Christ.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12 "Romans 6:12-14 - Sin's Dominion Broken")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The Steps of a Good Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:133 offers a timeless model for the believer's daily walk, emphasizing a conscious, humble reliance on God's Word for every decision and a fervent commitment to resisting the pervasive pull of sin. It reminds us that true spiritual freedom is not found in autonomy but in joyful submission to God's benevolent rule. To have our steps "ordered in thy word" requires consistent, prayerful engagement with Scripture, allowing its truths to illuminate our path, correct our deviations, and shape our desires. Simultaneously, the plea against "iniquity having dominion" calls us to an active, Spirit-empowered resistance against temptation, recognizing that sin seeks to enslave and distort. This verse compels us to pray earnestly for God's guidance and strength, trusting that He will equip us to live lives that honor Him, marked by righteousness and genuine liberty in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need God to "order your steps" according to His Word?**
* **What specific "iniquities" or sinful patterns do you feel are vying for "dominion" in your life, and how can you actively pray against them?**
* **How does your daily engagement with God's Word contribute to the "ordering" of your steps and your resistance to sin's power?**
* **What does it mean practically to live a life where sin does not have dominion, but rather grace reigns through righteousness?**

### FAQ
**What does "order my steps in thy word" truly mean for daily life?**

Answer: "Order my steps in thy word" means to seek God's guidance and direction for every aspect of your life—your decisions, actions, thoughts, and relationships—by aligning them with the principles and commands found in the Bible. It's a prayer for God to establish and stabilize your path, ensuring that you walk in accordance with His revealed will. Practically, this involves daily prayer for wisdom, consistent study and meditation on Scripture, and a willingness to obey what God reveals, even when it's difficult. It means allowing God's Word to be the authoritative compass for your moral choices, career path, relationships, and even your inner attitudes, trusting that His way is always best for your life, as highlighted in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord").

**Why is the psalmist so concerned about "iniquity having dominion"?**

Answer: The psalmist is deeply concerned about "iniquity having dominion" because sin, or moral evil, is not merely a mistake but a powerful, enslaving force. The Hebrew word for "dominion" (מָשַׁל, _mashal_) implies rule or mastery. When iniquity has dominion, it means sin dictates one's choices, controls one's desires, and leads one away from God's righteous path. This results in spiritual bondage, guilt, and ultimately separation from God. The psalmist understands that true freedom and blessedness come from living under God's benevolent rule, not under the tyranny of sin. This concern foreshadows the New Testament's teaching on the struggle against the flesh and the freedom from sin's power offered through Christ, as seen in [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12 "Romans 6:12-12 - Sin Shall Not Have Dominion").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:133 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the Living Word of God and the perfect embodiment of a life lived in absolute obedience to the Father's will. The psalmist's longing for his "steps" to be "ordered in thy word" is perfectly realized in Jesus, who declared, "I always do what pleases him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). He is the true and faithful Lamb of God who perfectly walked in the Father's statutes, never allowing "any iniquity to have dominion" over Him, even to the point of death on a cross ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ breaks the dominion of sin for all who believe, fulfilling the psalmist's desperate plea. Believers are no longer enslaved to sin but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to "walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")) and to have their steps ordered by the Spirit, who guides them into all truth and enables them to live according to God's Word ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth"), [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit")). Thus, what the psalmist prayed for, Christ accomplished and now enables in His followers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

Psalms 19:13

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Psalms 119:116

¶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psalms 32:8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Samuel 2:9

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.