TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, which you made to those who fear you.
American Standard Version
Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Whichis in order unto the fear of thee.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,937 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 119 verse 38
38 ¶ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Here is 1. The character of a good man, which is the work of God's grace in him; he is God's servant, subject to his law and employed in his work, that is, devoted to his fear, given up to his direction and disposal, and taken up with high thoughts of him and all those acts of devotion which have a tendency to his glory. Those are truly God's servants who, though they have their infirmities and defects, are sincerely devoted to the fear of God and have all their affections and motions governed by that fear; they are engaged and addicted to religion. 2. The confidence that a good man has towards God, in dependence upon the word of his grace to him. Those that are God's servants may, in faith and with humble boldness, pray that God would establish his word to them, that is, that he would fulfil his promises to them in due time, and in the mean time give them an assurance that they shall be fulfilled. What God has promised we must pray for; we need not be so aspiring as to ask more; we need not be so modest as to ask less.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 38. Public domain.
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Cyril of JerusalemAD 386
MYSTAGOGICAL LECTURES 1:6
Next you say, “and all his pomp.” The pomp of the devil is the craze for the theater, the horse races in the circus, the wildbeast hunts and all such emptiness, from which the saint prays to God to be delivered in the words, “Turn away my eyes that they may not behold worthless things.” Avoid an addiction to the theater, with its portrayal of sinful conduct, the lewd and unseemly antics of actors and the frantic dancing of degenerates. Not for you, either, the folly of those who, to gratify their miserable appetite, expose themselves to wild beasts in the combats in the amphitheater. They pamper their belly at the cost of becoming themselves, in the event, food for the mouths of savage beasts; of these gladiators it is fair to say that in the service of the belly that is their god they court death in the arena. Shun also the bedlam of the races, a spectacle in which souls as well as riders come to grief. All these follies are the pomp of the devil.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
On the Duties of the Clergy 2.6.26
Therefore, as I am about to speak of what is useful, I will take up those words of the prophet: “Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to covetousness,” that the sound of the word useful may not rouse in us the desire for money. Some indeed put it thus: “Incline my heart to your testimonies and not to what is useful,” that is, that kind of usefulness that is always on the watch for making gains in business and has been bent and diverted by the habits of people to the pursuit of money. For as a rule most people call useful only what is profitable, but we are speaking of that kind of usefulness that is sought in earthly loss “that we may gain Christ,” whose gain is “godliness with contentment.” Great, too, is the gain whereby we attain to godliness, which is rich with God, not indeed in fleeting wealth but in eternal gifts, and in which rests no uncertain trial but constant and unending grace.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
FLIGHT FROM THE WORLD 1:4
Therefore David, who had experienced those very glances that are dangerous for a man, aptly says that the one is blessed whose every hope is in the name of God. For such a person does not have regard to worthless things and follies if he always strives toward Christ and always looks on Christ with his inner eyes. For this reason David turned to God again and said, “Turn away my eyes, that they may not see vanity.” The circus is vanity, because it is totally without profit; horse racing is vanity, because it is counterfeit as regards salvation; the theater is vanity, every game is vanity. “All things are vanity!” as Ecclesiastes said, all things that are in this world. Accordingly, let one who wishes to be saved ascend above the world, let him seek the Word who is with God, let him flee from this world and depart from the earth. For one cannot comprehend that which exists and exists always, unless he has first fled from here. On this account also, the Lord, wishing to approach God the Father, said to the apostles, “Arise, let us go from here.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 119
"O establish Your word in Your servant, that I may fear You" [Psalm 119:38]. And what else is this than, Grant unto me that I may do according to what You say? For the word of God is not established in those who remove it in themselves by acting contrary to it; but it is established in those in whom it is immoveable. God therefore establishes His word, that they may fear Him, in those unto whom He gives the spirit of the fear of Him; not that fear of which the Apostle says, "You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;" [Romans 8:15] for "perfect love casts out" this "fear," [1 John 4:18] but that fear which the Prophet calls "the spirit of the fear of the Lord;" [Isaiah 11:2] that fear which "is pure, and endures for ever;" that fear which fears to offend Him whom it loves.
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 119:38 presents a profound and earnest prayer from the psalmist, identifying himself as God's devoted servant, appealing for the divine word and promises to be firmly established and fulfilled in his life. This verse articulates a deep spiritual longing for God's faithfulness to manifest tangibly, rooted in the psalmist's reverential awe and obedient devotion. It underscores the desire for God's truth to transcend abstract understanding and become a living, active reality for those who honor Him.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily functions as a Supplication or Prayer, representing a direct, personal address to God seeking divine action and intervention. The psalmist employs Personification implicitly by asking God's "word" to be "stablished," treating it as something that can be made firm, upheld, or brought to fruition, thereby underscoring its active, dynamic, and living quality. There is also a significant element of Covenant Language present, as the relationship between "servant" and "fear" reflects the reciprocal obligations, responsibilities, and blessings inherent within the covenant established between God and His people. The structure of the verse, which directly links the request for divine action to the psalmist's character and spiritual posture, subtly creates a sense of Cause and Effect or Conditionality, where the psalmist's unwavering devotion to God's fear serves as the fertile ground and appropriate context for God's faithfulness to His word.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:38 deeply connects to the biblical understanding of God's unwavering faithfulness and the reciprocal call for human devotion. It teaches that God's word is not merely a collection of static commands but a living, active force that shapes reality and brings about His purposes. Those who genuinely revere Him can confidently pray for its fulfillment in their lives. This verse highlights the dynamic interplay between divine promise and human obedience, suggesting that a life marked by reverential fear creates the fertile ground for God's truth to take root and bear abundant fruit. It is a prayer for the experiential reality of God's promises, grounded in a life of sincere worship and humble submission.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:38 offers a timeless and profound model for our own spiritual lives. It invites us to cultivate a deep, reverential awe for God, recognizing His supreme authority and holiness, which in turn fuels our desire to obey His commands. This verse encourages us to pray boldly and specifically for God's word—His promises, His character, His revealed will—to be "stablished" or made real and effective in our daily experiences. Are we living in such a way that demonstrates our sincere devotion to His fear? Are we actively seeking the confirmation of His truth in our circumstances, trusting that He is faithful to uphold what He has spoken? This prayer is not a demand but a humble plea from a servant who desires to see God's faithfulness powerfully manifested. It serves as a powerful reminder that our identity as God's servants, marked by reverent obedience, positions us to experience the tangible reality of His unchanging word in profound ways.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for God to "stablish thy word"?
Answer: To "stablish thy word" (from the Hebrew qûwm) means for God to confirm, make firm, uphold, or fully bring to pass His promises and decrees. It is a prayer for God's word to transition from being a mere declaration to a tangible, active reality within the psalmist's life. It implies a deep desire for God's faithfulness to be visibly demonstrated and experientially realized, ensuring that what God has spoken will indeed come to pass and prove utterly reliable for His servant. This is not a question of God's inherent ability or truthfulness, but rather a humble request for the powerful manifestation of His power and faithfulness in a personal way, aligning with the truth that God is faithful to His covenant.
What is "fear" in the context of "devoted to thy fear"?
Answer: In biblical terms, "fear" (Hebrew yirʼâh), when referring to God, signifies not a cowering terror but a profound, reverential awe, respect, and worshipful submission. It is the deep-seated recognition of God's absolute holiness, sovereignty, and omnipotence, which naturally leads to a sincere desire to obey His commands and live in a way that truly honors Him. This "fear of the Lord" is consistently presented as the beginning of all true wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and a foundational principle for a righteous life. It implies a deep devotion that stems from acknowledging God's rightful place as Creator and Lord, fostering a spirit of humility and willing obedience rather than mere fright.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:38, a heartfelt prayer for God to "stablish His word" to His servant devoted to His fear, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the living Word of God (John 1:1), through whom all of God's promises are not only established but fully embodied, affirmed, and brought to their resounding "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Jesus perfectly exemplified the "servant" identity, humbling Himself and becoming obedient even unto the ignominious death of the cross (Philippians 2:7-8). His entire earthly life was one of absolute devotion to the Father's will, characterized by perfect "fear" or reverential obedience, even when it led to immense suffering and Gethsemane's agony (Hebrews 5:7-8). Through Christ, God's word—His redemptive plan, His covenant promises, and His very nature—is not only established but eternally secured for all who believe. As believers, we are graciously made servants of God through Christ, and it is in Him that God's word is truly "stablished" in our lives, empowering us to live in the fear of the Lord by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).