Psalms 119:48

My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

My hands {H3709} also will I lift up {H5375} unto thy commandments {H4687}, which I have loved {H157}; and I will meditate {H7878} in thy statutes {H2706}.

I will lift my hands to your mitzvot, which I love; and I will meditate on your laws.

I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes.

I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes. ז ZAYIN.

Psalms 119:48 beautifully encapsulates the Psalmist's profound commitment and affection for God's divine revelation. It highlights a personal, active, and meditative relationship with the Lord's instructions.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem dedicated entirely to extolling the virtues and power of God's law, word, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and testimonies. Each stanza of eight verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 48 falls within the "Waw" (Vav) section, where the author continues to express a deep longing and devotion to God's ways, often amidst personal struggles or external pressures. The entire psalm serves as a fervent prayer and declaration of reliance on God's perfect law for guidance and life.

Key Themes

  • Profound Affection for God's Law: The phrase "which I have loved" is central. This isn't just intellectual agreement or grudging compliance, but a genuine, heartfelt love for God's instructions. It reflects a belief that God's ways are good, just, and beneficial, leading to true freedom and blessing, as seen in Psalm 19:7-11.
  • Active Embrace and Obedience: "My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments" speaks to a posture of readiness, acceptance, and active engagement. Lifting hands can symbolize worship, prayer, or a willingness to receive and obey. It signifies a full bodily commitment to adhering to God's will, not merely a passive acknowledgement. This active commitment echoes the call to obey God's commandments as a sign of love.
  • Deep, Sustained Meditation: "And I will meditate in thy statutes" points to a continuous, thoughtful, and spiritual engagement with God's word. This isn't a quick glance but a deep dwelling, chewing on, and internalizing the divine truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "meditate" here is hagah (הָגָה), which implies a low murmuring, a deep internal pondering, or even a soft vocalization of the text. It's not just intellectual thought but a holistic engagement that involves the mind, heart, and sometimes the lips, akin to a lion growling over its prey, thoroughly consuming it. This deep contemplation is also seen in Joshua 1:8 regarding the book of the law.

The terms "commandments" (מִצְוָה, mitzvah) and "statutes" (חֹק, choq) are just two of the many synonymous terms used throughout Psalm 119 to refer to God's divine revelation, each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of His perfect will and instruction.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 119:48 is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God's Word should be characterized by both affection and action. We are called not just to read the Bible, but to love it, recognizing its divine origin and its power to transform.

The "lifting up of hands" encourages us to actively embrace and live out God's commands in our daily lives, making practical obedience a priority.

The call to "meditate" urges us to go beyond superficial reading. It invites us into a deeper, prayerful, and reflective engagement with Scripture, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and minds, shaping our thoughts and actions. This consistent engagement leads to wisdom and spiritual growth, much like the blessed person described in Psalm 1:2.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:15

    I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

  • Psalms 1:2

    But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

  • Matthew 7:21

    Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

  • John 15:14

    Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

  • James 1:22

    But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

  • James 1:25

    But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

  • John 13:17

    If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
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