Psalms 119:38

ยถ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who [is devoted] to thy fear.

Stablish {H6965} thy word {H565} unto thy servant {H5650}, who is devoted to thy fear {H3374}.

Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, which you made to those who fear you.

Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.

Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Whichis in order unto the fear of thee.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 119:38

Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic psalm, with each section devoted to extolling the virtues and benefits of God's law, statutes, precepts, and word. The psalmist, identifying as a servant, expresses an intense love and devotion to divine instruction. This particular verse, Psalms 119:38, is a heartfelt prayer, nestled within a broader plea for God's guidance, understanding, and personal application of His commandments. It reflects a deep yearning for God's faithfulness to His promises in the life of one who seeks to honor Him.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • "Stablish thy word unto thy servant": This is a profound request for God to confirm, make firm, or fulfill His promises and decrees in the psalmist's life. The word "stablish" (from the Hebrew qum) conveys the idea of standing firm, enduring, or being upheld. It's a prayer for God's divine word to be real, reliable, and effective in the experience of His follower. The psalmist is not questioning God's faithfulness but rather asking for its manifestation and confirmation in his personal journey, acknowledging God's unchanging nature. This aligns with the biblical truth that God is not a man, that He should lie.
  • "who [is devoted] to thy fear": This phrase describes the character and qualification of the psalmist. "Thy fear" (Hebrew yir'ah) signifies not a cowering terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and respectful obedience towards God. It implies a deep devotion that stems from acknowledging God's holiness, power, and authority. The psalmist appeals to God based on his genuine desire to honor and obey Him. This reverence for God is often presented as the foundation for true wisdom and understanding, as seen in Proverbs 9:10.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew verb for "stablish" is `ืงึซื•ึผื` (qum), which means "to rise," "to stand," "to confirm," or "to fulfill." In this context, it carries the sense of God making His word stand firm and be effective for the psalmist.
  • The word for "fear" is `ื™ึดืจึฐืึธื”` (yir'ah), consistently used in the Old Testament to denote a reverential awe and respect for God, leading to obedience and moral uprightness, rather than mere fright.

Practical Application

Psalms 119:38 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • A Prayer for Confirmation: It encourages us to pray for God's wordโ€”His promises, commands, and truthsโ€”to be established and fulfilled in our lives. This means seeking God's active presence and the tangible reality of His truth in our daily experiences.
  • The Foundation of Reverence: The verse highlights that sincere devotion and reverence for God are foundational for receiving His blessings and seeing His word confirmed. When we honor God with our lives, we position ourselves to experience His faithfulness.
  • Identity as a Servant: Recognizing ourselves as God's servants implies a posture of humility, obedience, and readiness to follow His will. This identity is key to a thriving relationship with the Creator.
  • Personal Trust in God's Promises: This prayer reflects a deep trust that God is faithful to His word and will indeed confirm it for those who are devoted to Him. It's a powerful reminder to lean on divine reliability.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 147:11

    The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

  • Jeremiah 32:39

    And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

  • Jeremiah 32:41

    Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.

  • Psalms 103:17

    But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

  • 2 Corinthians 1:20

    For all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

  • Psalms 103:11

    For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

  • 2 Samuel 7:25

    And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish [it] for ever, and do as thou hast said.