Psalms 119:60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

I made haste {H2363}, and delayed {H4102} not to keep {H8104} thy commandments {H4687}.

I hurry, I don't delay, to observe your mitzvot.

I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.

I made haste, and delayed not, To observe thy commandments.

Commentary

Psalms 119:60 (KJV): "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."

Context of Psalms 119:60

Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an extended and profound acrostic poem dedicated entirely to the excellence, wisdom, and life-giving nature of God's law, statutes, precepts, and commandments. The psalmist, often identified as David, expresses deep affection and unwavering devotion to God's Word, seeing it not as a burden but as a source of light, guidance, and joy. In Psalms 119:60, the psalmist specifically highlights his immediate and unhesitating response to God's instructions, reflecting a heart fully committed to divine obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prompt and Diligent Obedience: The core message is the psalmist's commitment to immediate action in following God's commands. There is no procrastination or hesitation, indicating a heart that genuinely delights in God's will and prioritizes it above all else.
  • Eagerness and Willingness: The phrase "I made haste" suggests not a grudging rush, but an eagerness and readiness stemming from a deep love for God and His instructions. This contrasts sharply with a reluctant or delayed obedience often seen in human nature.
  • Prioritizing God's Word: By making haste and not delaying, the psalmist demonstrates that keeping God's commandments is his paramount concern. This aligns with the overarching theme of Psalms 119, where God's Word is esteemed above all earthly treasures and personal desires, leading to a life that seeks to love the Lord with all one's heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrasing in this verse emphasizes urgency and decisiveness:

  • "I made haste" comes from the root chush (ื—ื•ึผืฉื), meaning "to hurry," "to be eager," or "to act swiftly." It conveys a sense of strong desire and immediate readiness.
  • "And delayed not" translates the phrase lo hitmahmehahti (ืœึนื ื”ึดืชึฐืžึทื”ึฐืžึธื”ึฐืชึผึดื™), which literally means "I did not linger" or "I did not procrastinate." The use of the negative here emphatically reinforces the absence of any hesitation or postponement. Together, these two phrases create a powerful image of someone who is fully committed to acting on God's word without any reservation or delay.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates with other scriptures that underscore the importance of active and willing obedience to God:

  • John 14:15: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." This New Testament teaching highlights that genuine love for God is demonstrated through obedience, providing the underlying motivation for the psalmist's haste.
  • James 1:22: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." This verse from James powerfully reinforces the necessity of putting God's word into practice, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to active, prompt obedience.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 119:60 serves as a significant challenge and encouragement regarding our response to God's will. It prompts us to consider:

  • The Urgency of Obedience: When God's truth is revealed or His Spirit prompts, do we respond immediately, or do we allow excuses, fear, or worldly distractions to cause delay? This verse calls for a spirit of readiness.
  • The Heart Behind the Action: True obedience isn't just about doing the right thing, but doing it with a willing and eager heart. It flows from a deep love for God and His wisdom, rather than reluctant compliance.
  • Spiritual Growth: Cultivating a habit of prompt and joyful obedience strengthens our faith, deepens our relationship with God, and aligns our lives more closely with His divine purpose.
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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 95:7

    ยถ For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

  • Psalms 95:8

    Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, [and] as [in] the day of temptation in the wilderness:

  • Galatians 1:16

    To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

  • Ecclesiastes 9:10

    Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

  • Proverbs 27:1

    ยถ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

  • Ezekiel 10:6

    And it came to pass, [that] when he had commanded the man clothed with linen, saying, Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.

  • Ezekiel 10:8

    ยถ And there appeared in the cherubims the form of a man's hand under their wings.