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“GIMEL: Seeking Life and Insight from the Law”· Psalms 119:17–24
Translation
King James Version
¶ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
American Standard Version
My soul breaketh for the longing That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
World English Bible Messianic
My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
In the KJVVerse 15,919 of 31,102 · 51.2%
LawLawHistoryHistPoetryPoetProphetsProphNew TestamentNT
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 119:20.
Passage under commentPsalms 119:20
20¶ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
David had prayed that God would open his eyes (Psa 119:18) and open the law (Psa 119:19); now here he pleads the earnestness of his desire for knowledge and grace, for it is the fervent prayer that avails much. 1. His desire was importunate: My soul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgments, or (as some read it) "It is taken up, and wholly employed, in longing for thy judgments; the whole stream of its desires runs in this channel. I shall think myself quite broken and undone if I want the word of God, the direction, converse, and comfort of it." 2. It was constant - at all times. It was not now and then, in a good humour, that he was so fond of the word of God; but it is the habitual temper of every sanctified soul to hunger after the word of God as its necessary food, which there is no living without.
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Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
7 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Post-Nicene
400
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
And what wonder is it the Spirit works life, who enlivens as does the Father and as does the Son? And who can deny that giving new life is the work of the eternal Majesty? For it is written, “Give life to your servant.” He, then, is enlivened who is a servant, that is, a person, who before he did not have life but received the privilege of having it.Let us then see whether the Spirit is enlivened, or himself giving life. Now it is written, “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” So, then, the Spirit enlivens.
But that you may understand that the enlivening of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is no separate work, read how there is a oneness of quickening also, since God gives life through the Spirit, for Paul said, “He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who dwells in you.”
God does not wish us merely to listen to the words and phrases contained in the Scriptures but to do so with a great deal of prudent reflection. Therefore, blessed David frequently prefixed to his psalms the expression “a meditation” and also said, “Open my eyes, and I will consider the wondrous things of your law.” And after him, his son also pointed out by way of instruction that one must seek for wisdom even as for silver, or, rather, to trade in it more than in gold.
Hear me, therefore, my fellow servant, my friend, my brother; give ear for a moment that I may tell you how you are to walk in the holy Scriptures. All that we read in the divine books, while glistening and shining without, is yet far sweeter within. “He who desires to eat the kernel must first break the nut.” “Open my eyes,” says David, “that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Now, if so great a prophet confesses that he is in the darkness of ignorance, how deep, do you think, must be the night of misapprehension with which we, mere babes and unweaned infants, are enveloped! Now this veil rests not only on the face of Moses but on the Evangelists and the apostles as well. To the multitudes the Savior spoke only in parables and, to make it clear that his words had a mystical meaning, said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Unless all things that are written are opened by him “who has the key of David, who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens,” no one can undo the lock or set them before you.
Now it was in the law and in the prophets that he was foreordained and prefigured. For this reason too the prophets were called seers, because they saw him whom others did not see. Abraham saw his day and was glad. The heavens that were sealed to a rebellious people were opened to Ezekiel. “Open my eyes,” David says, “that I may behold wonderful things out of your law.” For “the law is spiritual,” and a revelation is needed to enable us to comprehend it and, when God uncovers his face, to behold his glory.
This is true wisdom in a person: to know that he is imperfect; and, if I may say so, the perfection of all the just, living in the flesh, is imperfect. Whence, also, we read in Proverbs: “To understand true justice.” For unless there were also false justice, the justice of God would never be referred to as true justice. And the apostle continues in the same passage: “And if in any point you think otherwise, this also God will reveal to you.” It is a strange thing that I hear. He who but a moment ago had said “Not that I have already obtained it or have already been made perfect”; he, who was the chosen vessel, who dared to say with the confidence of Christ dwelling within him, “Do you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me?” and yet frankly confessed that he had not been made perfect, now ascribes to the multitude something that he specifically denied to himself, and he associates himself with the others and says, “Let us then, as many as are perfect, be of this mind.” But he explains in the following verses what he meant by this statement. Let us, he says, who wish to be perfect, according to the measure of human frailty, be of this mind, that we have not yet obtained it; that we have not yet laid hold of it; that we have not yet been made perfect. And because we have not yet been made perfect, and, perhaps, think otherwise than is demanded by true and perfect perfection, if we think of and understand anything that is different from what is consistent with the knowledge of God, this, also, God will reveal to us, so that we may pray with David and say, “Open my eyes, and I will consider the wondrous things of your law.”
The right will is, therefore, well-directed love, and the wrong will is ill-directed love. Love, then, yearning to have what is loved, is desire; and having and enjoying it, is joy; fleeing what is opposed to it, it is fear; and feeling what is opposed to it, when it has befallen it, it is sadness. Now these motions are evil if the love is evil; good if the love is good.What we assert let us prove from Scripture. The apostle "desires to depart, and to be with Christ." And, "My soul desired to long for Thy judgments;" or if it is more appropriate to say, "My soul longed to desire Thy judgments." And, "The desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom."
But what is loved by loving, if love itself be not loved? Whence by consequence that stranger upon earth, after praying that the commandments of God might not be hidden from him, wherein love is enjoined either solely or principally; declares that he desires to have a love for love itself, saying, "My soul has coveted to have a desire always after Your judgments" [Psalm 119:20]. This coveting is worthy of praise, not of condemnation....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Psalms 119:20 profoundly articulates the psalmist's overwhelming and unceasing spiritual yearning for God's divine instructions and righteous decrees. The verse conveys an intense, almost physically painful, desire for God's "judgments"—His perfect will and revealed truth—suggesting a soul so deeply devoted to divine wisdom that it feels as though it is breaking under the weight of its unfulfilled longing. This expression reveals a heart that not only highly values God's Word but craves it incessantly, recognizing it as the indispensable sustenance for a life of righteousness and spiritual vitality.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 119 stands as the longest psalm in the biblical canon, a masterful acrostic poem meticulously structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 sections comprises eight verses, with every verse within a given section commencing with the same Hebrew letter. The entire psalm functions as an expansive ode to the multifaceted excellence, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's revealed Word, referred to by a rich tapestry of synonyms such as law (Torah), statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, and judgments. Verse 20 is situated within the Daleth (ד) section (verses 17-24), where the psalmist earnestly pleads for God's gracious intervention, deeper understanding, and divine protection, underscoring a profound personal reliance on God's instruction. This particular verse intensifies the personal emotional connection, demonstrating that the psalmist's devotion is not merely intellectual assent but a deeply affective and consuming passion.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, God's "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim) were understood not merely as a collection of legalistic rules but as direct expressions of God's perfect justice, inherent wisdom, and unwavering covenant faithfulness. The Law (Torah) served as the foundational revelation of God's character and His divine will for His covenant people, providing comprehensive guidance for every facet of life—moral, social, and spiritual. Distinct from the often arbitrary or self-serving laws of surrounding pagan nations, God's judgments were perceived as intrinsically good, righteous, and meticulously designed for the holistic flourishing of His people. The psalmist's intense longing reflects a deep-seated cultural understanding that true wisdom, order, and abundant life were found in aligning oneself with the divine order established by God, standing in stark contrast to human-devised philosophies or the chaotic systems prevalent in the world. This profound yearning for God's decrees was, therefore, a hallmark of genuine piety and steadfast covenant fidelity in a world frequently hostile to divine truth.
Key Themes
Psalms 119:20 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights a Profound Spiritual Longing, depicting a hunger for God's truth so intense that the soul feels as though it is "breaking." This is not a casual interest but an overwhelming, consuming desire for divine righteousness, echoing the sentiment found in Psalm 42:1. Secondly, the verse underscores the Excellence and Sufficiency of God's Word. The object of this intense desire is God's "judgments," which represent His perfect decrees and instructions. The psalmist consistently views God's law not as a burdensome set of rules but as a source of life, wisdom, and profound delight, as highlighted in Psalm 1:2. Finally, the phrase "at all times" emphasizes Constant Devotion and Unceasing Pursuit. This longing is not fleeting or situational but a continuous, unwavering state of the heart, signifying a lifelong commitment to seeking and living by God's will and presence through His revealed Word, a theme found throughout Psalm 119.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
H5315 from נָפַשׁ; Properly, a breathing creature, but used here in a very wide sense to denote the innermost being, the seat of emotions, will, and life itself. When the psalmist declares, "My soul breaketh," it signifies that this intense longing affects the very core of his existence, his entire person, encompassing his desires, mind, and vitality. It is not merely a superficial emotion but a profound, all-enconsuming spiritual state.
H1638 a primitive root; to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve. The Hebrew verb גָּרַס (gâraç) literally means "to crush," "to grind," or "to scrape." Its metaphorical use here is highly evocative, portraying the psalmist's soul as being so overwhelmed by an intense, almost unbearable longing that it feels physically shattered or consumed. This powerful imagery communicates a profound spiritual ache, a deep yearning that is not merely emotional but affects the very core of one's being, indicating an all-consuming desire for God's truth.
H4941 from שָׁפַט; Properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective). The plural noun מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpâṭ) refers to God's righteous decrees, ordinances, or decisions. In Psalm 119, it is one of many synonyms for God's revealed Word, emphasizing its character as just, equitable, and perfectly ordered. These are not arbitrary rules but expressions of God's unchanging character, His perfect justice, and His divine wisdom, serving as the standard for righteous living and the means by which humanity can understand and align with His will.
Verse Breakdown
"My soul breaketh"
This opening clause immediately establishes the profound emotional and spiritual intensity experienced by the psalmist. "My soul" (נַפְשִׁי, nafshi), signifying the psalmist's entire inner being, is depicted as being in a state of "breaking" (גָּרַס, gâraç). This vivid verb conveys a sense of being crushed, consumed, or dissolved, not by despair or sorrow, but by an overwhelming, almost unbearable intensity of desire. It signifies a soul so passionately engaged and deeply affected that it feels a physical manifestation of its spiritual yearning.
"for the longing [that it hath]"
This phrase clarifies the cause of the soul's "breaking." It is not a breaking from pain or affliction, but from an insatiable "longing" (תָּאָבָה, taʼăbâh). This longing is portrayed as so powerful and persistent that it exerts immense pressure on the psalmist's inner being, demonstrating a spiritual hunger that demands satisfaction. The parenthetical "that it hath" in the KJV serves to clarify that this profound longing is an inherent and continuous state of the psalmist's soul.
"unto thy judgments"
This specifies the precise object of the psalmist's intense longing: God's "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpâṭ). This refers to the divine standard of righteousness, God's perfect decrees, ordinances, and judicial decisions. The psalmist's desire is not for fleeting worldly possessions, human approval, or ephemeral pleasures, but for the very essence of God's revealed will and righteous character as expressed in His Word. It underscores a profound desire for divine truth, moral clarity, and alignment with God's perfect order.
"at all times"
This concluding phrase emphasizes the unceasing and perpetual nature of this profound longing. It is not a sporadic, occasional, or situational desire but a constant, abiding state of the heart. The psalmist's devotion to God's Word is unwavering and continuous, indicating a lifelong, relentless pursuit of divine wisdom and righteousness throughout every moment and circumstance of life.
Literary Devices
Psalms 119:20 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Hyperbole, where the psalmist declares, "My soul breaketh," to express an intensity of longing that goes far beyond literal physical breakage. This exaggerated language effectively communicates the overwhelming, almost painfully consuming, nature of his spiritual desire for God's judgments. This hyperbole is further amplified by Personification, as the psalmist's "soul" is depicted as an entity capable of "breaking" and "longing," endowing it with human-like emotional capacity and agency. The phrase "at all times" functions as an Adverbial Phrase of Time, emphasizing the constant and unceasing nature of this desire, highlighting the psalmist's unwavering devotion and the perpetual presence of this spiritual hunger. Together, these devices create a vivid, emotionally charged, and deeply impactful portrayal of a heart consumed by an insatiable hunger for divine truth.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 119:20 stands as a profound testament to the supreme value of God's revealed Word and the appropriate human response to it: an unquenchable spiritual longing. Theologically, it affirms that God's "judgments" are not burdensome legalistic constraints but rather life-giving expressions of His righteous character, absolutely essential for human flourishing and spiritual vitality. This verse connects the intensity of one's desire for God's truth with the depth of one's spiritual health, suggesting that a soul not consumed by this longing may be spiritually malnourished or adrift. It underscores the biblical principle that true wisdom, guidance, and ultimate satisfaction are found in diligent, continuous, and passionate engagement with divine revelation, leading to a life profoundly aligned with God's perfect will. This intense yearning for righteousness is a hallmark of a truly devoted heart, recognizing God's Word as the ultimate source of guidance, comfort, and life itself.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 119:20 challenges believers to deeply examine the nature and intensity of their own desire for God's Word. Is our engagement with Scripture a casual habit, a burdensome duty, or a profound, soul-consuming longing? The psalmist's "breaking" soul serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to cultivate an insatiable hunger for God's "judgments," recognizing them as the very sustenance for our spiritual lives. In a world saturated with distractions, fleeting desires, and competing voices, this verse calls us to re-prioritize, to seek God's truth "at all times," allowing His Word to shape our thoughts, guide our decisions, and satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. It reminds us that true spiritual satisfaction, growth, and flourishing are intrinsically linked to our persistent and passionate pursuit of divine revelation. This longing is not a sign of weakness, but of profound spiritual health and a deep awareness of our utter dependence on God's perfect wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "My soul breaketh" mean in this context?
"My soul breaketh" is a powerful expression of intense, overwhelming longing rather than literal physical pain or despair. The Hebrew word for "breaketh" (גָּרַס, gâraç) means "to crush" or "to grind," conveying a feeling of being consumed or shattered by an insatiable desire. In this verse, it vividly portrays the psalmist's inner being as being so passionately and deeply affected by his yearning for God's righteous decrees that it feels as though his soul is being torn apart by the sheer intensity of this unfulfilled spiritual hunger. It signifies an all-consuming devotion and an urgent, desperate need for God's truth and presence.
Why does the psalmist long for "judgments" specifically? Aren't judgments usually associated with punishment?
In the context of Psalms 119 and much of the Old Testament, "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpâṭ) refers to God's righteous ordinances, decrees, and the divine decisions that reveal His character and guide humanity. While the term can indeed refer to divine justice and punishment, here it broadly encompasses God's perfect standards, laws, and the wisdom by which He governs the world and His people. The psalmist longs for these "judgments" because they are seen as expressions of God's perfect justice, inherent wisdom, and unchanging truth, providing the pathway to righteous living and true flourishing. They are not burdensome rules but divine instructions that bring light, life, and order, as seen throughout Psalm 119 and in verses like Psalm 19:9-10.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 119:20, with its profound longing for God's "judgments," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the living Word of God, the perfect embodiment of all God's righteous judgments and His complete will. While the psalmist yearned for written decrees and ordinances, believers now behold the very wisdom and righteousness of God incarnate in Jesus Christ. The longing expressed in this psalm for God's "judgments" is, at its core, a longing for perfect righteousness and divine truth—a righteousness that is fully revealed, perfectly lived out, and graciously imputed to us by Christ. He perfectly fulfilled the Law, not by abolishing it, but by bringing it to its intended completion and ultimate purpose (Matthew 5:17). Therefore, our deepest longing for God's truth and righteousness is supremely satisfied in knowing Christ, who has become for us "wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, God's laws are written on our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:10), transforming our desires to align with His perfect will, thus fulfilling the psalmist's perpetual yearning for God's judgments "at all times."