Psalms 119:35

KJV

¶ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

KJV (with Strong's)

Make me to go {H1869} in the path {H5410} of thy commandments {H4687}; for therein do I delight {H2654}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, for I take pleasure in it.

Berean Standard Bible

Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.

American Standard Version

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:35 is a profound prayer from the psalmist, expressing a deep yearning for divine guidance and enablement to walk in the path of God's commandments, not as a burdensome duty, but as the very source of his delight. It encapsulates the core theme of Psalm 119: that God's law is not merely a set of rules, but a gracious revelation of His will, leading to true joy, freedom, and flourishing for those who embrace it wholeheartedly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and 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 sustained meditation on the beauty, perfection, and life-giving power of God's Word, referred to by numerous synonyms such as "commandments," "statutes," "precepts," "judgments," "laws," and "testimonies." Verse 35 falls within the "Daleth" section (verses 25-32), where the psalmist has just expressed his soul cleaving to the dust, praying for revival according to God's word ([Psalms 119:25](/psalms/119-25 "Psalm 119:25 - My soul cleaveth unto the dust")). He has also prayed for understanding and strength to pursue God's ways, confessing his reliance on divine instruction and enablement ([Psalms 119:27-30](/psalms/119-27 "Psalm 119:27-30 - Understanding and Choosing God's Way")). Thus, verse 35 is a natural progression, moving from a general desire for revival and understanding to a specific plea for active guidance in the practical outworking of obedience, rooted in a deep affection for God's directives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of "walking in a path" or "way" (Hebrew: _derek_) was a pervasive metaphor in ancient Israelite thought, representing one's entire course of life, conduct, and destiny. Unlike the legal codes of surrounding nations, which often served primarily to maintain social order or appease deities, the Torah (God's Law) given to Israel through Moses was presented as a covenantal gift from a loving God to His chosen people ([Deuteronomy 4:5-8](/deuteronomy/4-5 "Deuteronomy 4:5-8 - God's Law, a gift to Israel")). It was intended to set them apart, guide them into a life of blessing, and foster a unique relationship with Yahweh. Obedience was not merely external compliance but an expression of loyalty and love for the covenant Lord. The psalmist, living within this covenant framework, understood that true flourishing and delight were found not in rebellion or self-determination, but in aligning one's life with the divine wisdom embedded in God's commandments, which were seen as a source of life, light, and truth ([Psalms 19:7-11](/psalms/19-7 "Psalm 19:7-11 - The Law of the LORD is perfect")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Guidance and Enablement**, recognizing human weakness and the absolute necessity of God's active intervention to lead and empower the believer to walk righteously. The psalmist does not presume self-sufficiency but humbly asks God to "make me to go," emphasizing reliance on divine grace. Secondly, it underscores the profound truth of **Joy in Obedience**. Contrary to a common misconception that God's commands are burdensome, the psalmist declares that his delight is _in_ them. This reveals that true pleasure and satisfaction are found in aligning one's will with God's, transforming duty into desire. This theme is echoed throughout the wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 3:13-18](/proverbs/3-13 "Proverbs 3:13-18 - Blessed is the one who finds wisdom"), which describes wisdom's ways as pleasant and her paths as peace. Finally, the verse speaks to **Volitional Surrender and Active Pursuit**. While seeking divine enablement, the psalmist also expresses a personal, heartfelt will to embrace God's path. The delight is not forced but arises from a heart that genuinely loves and values God's instructions, demonstrating a willing submission to His perfect will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Make me to go (Hebrew, _hadrikheni'_):** From the root _darakh_ (דָּרַךְ), meaning "to tread, to walk, to lead, to direct." In the Hiphil stem (causative), _hadrikheni_ means "cause me to walk" or "lead me." This emphasizes God's active role as the guide and enabler, highlighting the psalmist's dependence on divine power and direction to navigate life's path according to God's will. It is a prayer for both clear direction and the strength to follow it.
* **path (Hebrew, _netiybah'_):** This word (נְתִיבָה) refers to a well-trodden way, an established course, or a defined route. It suggests a clear, discernible way of life that God has laid out, in contrast to wandering aimlessly. The "path of thy commandments" is not a vague concept but a specific, revealed way of living that reflects God's character and purposes.
* **delight (Hebrew, _eḥpats'_):** From the root _chaphets_ (חָפֵץ), which means "to desire, to take pleasure in, to be pleased with." This is a strong word conveying deep, abiding pleasure, satisfaction, and a genuine inclination of the heart, not merely a fleeting emotion or a reluctant acceptance. It signifies an inner joy and contentment found in the very act of obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Make me to go in the path of thy commandments":** This opening clause is a fervent prayer for divine intervention. The psalmist acknowledges his own inability to consistently and perfectly walk in God's ways without God's active leading and empowerment. It's a recognition of both human frailty and the need for supernatural grace. The "path of thy commandments" signifies a life lived in accordance with God's revealed will, a life of moral integrity, spiritual wisdom, and covenant faithfulness. It is a plea for God to direct his steps, to illuminate the way, and to provide the strength necessary to follow it.
* **"for therein do I delight":** This second clause provides the profound motivation and reason for the prayer. The psalmist's desire to walk in God's commandments is not born out of fear, obligation, or a sense of duty alone, but out of a deep, intrinsic pleasure and joy found within the commandments themselves. This "delight" is a spiritual affection, a profound satisfaction that comes from aligning one's will with the divine will. It suggests that obedience is not a burden to be endured, but a privilege to be embraced, a source of true fulfillment and spiritual flourishing.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:35 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and emotional impact. The most prominent is **Prayer**, as the entire verse is framed as a direct address and petition to God. This highlights the psalmist's personal relationship with the divine and his reliance on God's active involvement in his life. The phrase "the path of thy commandments" is a powerful **Metaphor**, depicting God's laws not as static rules but as a dynamic, living "way" or course of life to be walked. This metaphor evokes imagery of guidance, journey, and destination, emphasizing that obedience is a progressive journey rather than a single act. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a form of **Causal Parallelism**, where the second clause provides the reason or motivation for the first: "Make me to go... _for_ therein do I delight." This structure underscores the deep, internal connection between the desire for guidance and the joy found in obedience, revealing a heart that truly loves God's ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully articulates the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, where the psalmist prays for God to enable his obedience, yet simultaneously expresses his personal delight in that very obedience. It reveals that true spiritual freedom is found not in autonomy from God's law, but in a willing submission to it, empowered by divine grace. The commandments are not restrictive chains but liberating pathways that lead to life and joy, reflecting God's good and perfect will for humanity. This perspective transforms obedience from a legalistic burden into a joyous pursuit, a participation in the very character of God.

* [Psalms 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Psalm 1:2 - Delight in the Law of the LORD")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God works in you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:35 offers a profound model for the believer's prayer life and a transformative perspective on obedience. It challenges the common misconception that God's commands are burdensome or detract from personal freedom. Instead, it invites us to cultivate a heart that genuinely delights in God's Word, recognizing that His ways are always for our ultimate good and deepest joy. This verse encourages us to actively seek God's guidance in every aspect of our lives, acknowledging our human limitations and relying on His divine enablement. It reminds us that true spiritual flourishing is found not in pursuing our own desires, but in aligning our will with the perfect will of God, a process that is both empowered by His grace and experienced with profound delight. When we pray "Make me to go," we are not asking for a forced march, but for a joyful journey on the path that leads to life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle to find delight in God's commandments, and what might be hindering that joy?**
* **How does the prayer "Make me to go" reflect my dependence on God's grace versus my own efforts in living a righteous life?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate a deeper delight in God's Word and His ways?**
* **How might my perspective on obedience change if I truly believed it was the path to my greatest joy?**

### FAQ
**Does "Make me to go" imply a lack of free will or that God forces obedience?**

Answer: No, "Make me to go" (Hebrew: _hadrikheni_) is a prayer for divine guidance and enablement, not coercion. It acknowledges human weakness and the need for God's active leading to walk righteously, but it does not negate human responsibility or free will. The psalmist's subsequent declaration, "for therein do I delight," reveals a heart that willingly desires to follow God's path. It's a prayer for God to empower the psalmist to do what his heart already desires, to overcome obstacles, and to stay on the path. This aligns with the biblical understanding that God works in believers "both to will and to do of his good pleasure" ([Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God works in you")), a partnership between divine grace and human cooperation.

**How can I delight in God's commandments if they sometimes feel restrictive or difficult?**

Answer: The delight described in Psalms 119:35 is not necessarily an immediate emotional high, but a deep, abiding satisfaction that comes from recognizing the wisdom, goodness, and life-giving nature of God's ways. It's a spiritual delight that often grows as we experience the blessings and peace that come from obedience, even when the initial steps are challenging. It requires a shift in perspective, viewing God's commands not as arbitrary rules, but as expressions of His love and design for our flourishing, much like a good parent's instructions are for a child's well-being. Cultivating this delight involves meditating on God's Word ([Psalms 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Psalm 1:2 - Delight in the Law of the LORD")), praying for understanding and a willing heart, and trusting that God's path, though sometimes narrow, ultimately leads to true freedom and joy ([Matthew 7:13-14](/matthew/7-13 "Matthew 7:13-14 - The Narrow Gate")).

**Is this verse only about following rules, or is there a deeper meaning?**

Answer: While the verse speaks of "commandments," it's far more than just "following rules." The "path of thy commandments" refers to a holistic way of life that reflects God's character and will. It encompasses moral conduct, spiritual devotion, ethical living, and a heart attitude of love and reverence for God. The "delight" is not in mere legalistic adherence, but in the intimate relationship with God that obedience fosters. It's about finding joy in aligning one's entire being with the Creator's design, experiencing the peace and flourishing that comes from living in harmony with divine wisdom. This deeper meaning points to a relational obedience, where the commands are expressions of God's covenant love and an invitation to deeper fellowship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:35 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly walked "in the path of thy commandments," not needing to pray "Make me to go," because His very nature was perfectly aligned with the Father's will. Jesus declared, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' food is to do the will of God")), demonstrating a perfect and unwavering delight in His Father's commands, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience to Death")). He is the embodiment of God's wisdom and the living Word, the "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). For believers, this verse is fulfilled as we are united with Christ. Through His atoning work, the penalty for our disobedience is paid, and through His Spirit, we are empowered to walk in newness of life. The Holy Spirit indwells us, writing God's laws on our hearts and enabling us to both desire and perform God's good pleasure ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"); [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law fulfilled in us")). Thus, the psalmist's prayer becomes our own, answered by God's grace through Christ, allowing us to genuinely delight in the path of His commandments.

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

Ezekiel 36:26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Psalms 23:3

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalms 25:4

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Proverbs 4:11

I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

Hebrews 13:21

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.