Psalms 119:70

KJV

Their heart is as fat as grease; [but] I delight in thy law.

KJV (with Strong's)

Their heart {H3820} is as fat {H2954} as grease {H2459}; but I delight {H8173} in thy law {H8451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Their hearts are as thick as fat, but I take delight in your Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law.

American Standard Version

Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:70 presents a profound spiritual contrast: on one hand, the heart of the unrighteous, described metaphorically as "fat as grease," signifying spiritual dullness and insensitivity to divine truth; on the other, the Psalmist's vibrant and active "delight" in God's law. This verse powerfully encapsulates a core theme of Psalm 119, highlighting the supreme value of God's divine instruction amidst a world often indifferent or hostile to His ways, and underscoring the transformative power of a heart devoted to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the Hebrew alphabet, with each of its 22 stanzas (eight verses each) beginning with a successive letter. The entire psalm is a magnificent celebration of the beauty, wisdom, and power of God's Word, using various synonyms for "law" (e.g., statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, decrees). Verse 70 appears in the "Yodh" section (verses 73-80), which follows expressions of the Psalmist's affliction and his unwavering trust in God's faithfulness despite persecution. The "their" in verse 70 likely refers to the proud, the arrogant, or those who persecute the righteous, as alluded to in earlier verses like [Psalm 119:51](/psalms/119-51 "Psalm 119:51 - The Proud Mock Me") and [Psalm 119:61](/psalms/119-61 "Psalm 119:61 - The Bands of the Wicked"). This verse serves as a sharp antithesis to the spiritual state of these adversaries, emphasizing the Psalmist's distinct and unwavering devotion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite thought, the "heart" (לֵב, _lev_) was understood not merely as a physical organ but as the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and conscience—the very core of one's being. Therefore, the condition of the heart was paramount to one's spiritual and moral state. The metaphor of a heart "fat as grease" draws on the common understanding of fat. While fat was often considered the "best" part for sacrificial offerings, implying richness or abundance, it could also signify heaviness, dullness, or insensitivity when applied to the heart. A heart "clogged" with fat would be unresponsive, impervious to feeling or divine conviction. The "law" (תּוֹרָה, _Torah_) in this context refers to God's divine instruction, encompassing not just legal codes but His entire revelation, His will, and His way of life for His people. Delight in the Torah was a hallmark of true piety, as seen throughout the wisdom literature and prophetic books.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 119:70 powerfully articulates several key themes central to the chapter and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is the **Spiritual Insensitivity vs. Spiritual Delight**, presenting a stark opposition between a heart hardened by worldly concerns or self-indulgence and one that finds genuine joy and spiritual vitality in God's truth. This highlights the fundamental choice individuals face regarding their response to divine revelation. Closely related is **The Nature of a Hardened Heart**, where "their heart is as fat as grease" metaphorically describes a spiritual condition of dullness, unresponsiveness, and insensitivity to God's voice or moral truth, often stemming from prosperity, pride, or indifference. In contrast, the Psalmist's declaration, "I delight in thy law," underscores **The Joy of God's Law**, emphasizing the profound pleasure, satisfaction, and spiritual nourishment found in meditating on, obeying, and cherishing God's commands. This delight is not a burdensome duty but a source of true happiness and life, a theme echoed in [the Psalmist's longing for God's testimonies](/psalms/119-24 "Psalm 119:24 - God's Testimonies as Delight").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fat (Hebrew, חֵלֶב, _chelev_):** This word literally means "fat" or "richest part." In sacrificial contexts, it referred to the choicest portions offered to God. However, when applied to the heart in a negative sense, as here, it connotes a heart that is heavy, dull, insensitive, or unresponsive. It suggests a spiritual obesity that hinders spiritual perception and responsiveness, making one impervious to God's truth or the plight of others.
* **Delight (Hebrew, שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים, _sha'ashu'im_):** This term conveys a deep sense of pleasure, enjoyment, and even playful amusement. It signifies more than mere intellectual appreciation; it speaks of a profound, joyful engagement and satisfaction derived from God's instruction. It implies a voluntary, eager, and cherished relationship with God's law, far removed from a begrudging obligation or a legalistic burden.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Their heart is as fat as grease":** This clause vividly portrays the spiritual condition of the unrighteous or the proud. The metaphor of a "fat" heart indicates a state of spiritual dullness, insensitivity, and unresponsiveness to God's voice and truth. Such a heart has become impervious to conviction, hardened by self-indulgence, worldly preoccupations, or a lack of spiritual exercise. It suggests a spiritual lethargy or callousness that prevents divine truth from penetrating and transforming the inner being.
* **"[but] I delight in thy law":** This clause stands in stark antithesis to the first, revealing the Psalmist's contrasting spiritual vitality. The conjunction "but" emphasizes this profound difference. The Psalmist's "delight" signifies a deep, abiding, and joyful pleasure in God's Torah. It implies a heart that is tender, receptive, and actively engaged with God's revealed will, finding in it not only wisdom and guidance but also profound satisfaction, comfort, and spiritual nourishment. This delight is a hallmark of true piety, marking a soul that is spiritually alive and thriving.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:70 is rich in literary artistry, primarily employing **Juxtaposition** and **Metaphor**. The verse's most striking feature is the direct and stark contrast it draws between two opposing spiritual states: the "fat" heart of the unrighteous and the Psalmist's "delight" in God's law. This **Antithesis** highlights the profound difference between those who are spiritually dull and those who are spiritually vibrant. The phrase "their heart is as fat as grease" serves as a powerful **Metaphor**, transforming a physical characteristic (fatness) into a spiritual one (insensitivity, dullness, unresponsiveness). This vivid imagery effectively conveys the spiritual condition of those who disregard God's ways, making their spiritual apathy tangible and relatable. The use of "but" further emphasizes the dramatic shift in spiritual disposition, underscoring the Psalmist's conscious choice and profound devotion in contrast to the prevailing indifference.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse speaks profoundly to the biblical emphasis on the condition of the human heart as the wellspring of life and the locus of spiritual responsiveness. It highlights the pervasive biblical theme of two ways or two paths: the way of the righteous who delight in God's instruction, and the way of the wicked whose hearts are hardened. The "fat heart" represents the fallen human condition, prone to spiritual insensitivity and rebellion against divine truth, a state that ultimately leads to spiritual death. In contrast, the Psalmist's delight in God's law reflects the ideal relationship between humanity and God's Word—a relationship characterized by joyful submission, active meditation, and profound spiritual nourishment. This delight is not a legalistic burden but a liberating joy found in aligning one's life with the Creator's perfect wisdom, demonstrating that true freedom and blessedness are found in obedience to God's revealed will.

* [Proverbs 28:14](/proverbs/28-14 "Proverbs 28:14 - Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always")
* [Psalm 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Psalm 1:2 - Delight in the Law of the Lord")
* [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and a New Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:70 serves as a powerful call to introspective self-examination for every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess the condition of our own hearts: are we allowing the pressures, distractions, or comforts of the world to dull our spiritual senses, making our hearts "fat as grease" and unresponsive to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit or the clear commands of God's Word? Or do we, like the Psalmist, find genuine, profound delight and spiritual vitality in God's law, actively seeking His will and finding joy in His precepts? This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart that is tender, receptive, and eager for divine truth, recognizing that true spiritual well-being and flourishing come from a continuous, joyful engagement with and love for God's divine instruction. It reminds us that our response to God's Word is a direct indicator of our spiritual health and our true relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my heart be becoming "fat" or insensitive to God's voice and truth in my daily life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper "delight" in God's law and His Word daily, moving beyond mere duty to genuine joy?**
* **How does my current engagement with God's Word reflect the true condition of my heart—is it one of spiritual dullness or vibrant delight?**

### FAQ
**Why does "fat" have a negative connotation here, when fat was often seen as good in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "fat" (חֵלֶב, _chelev_) indeed carries a dual meaning in the Old Testament, depending on the context. In sacrificial contexts (e.g., Leviticus 3:16), fat represented the choicest, richest part, reserved for God as a symbol of the best offering. However, when applied metaphorically to the human heart or mind, "fatness" takes on a negative connotation, signifying dullness, insensitivity, or sluggishness. Just as a physical organ clogged with fat might lose its proper function and sensitivity, a heart described as "fat" is spiritually impervious, unresponsive to divine truth, and hardened by self-indulgence or indifference. It implies a spiritual density that prevents the light of God's Word from penetrating and transforming. This negative usage is consistent with other biblical descriptions of a hardened heart.

**What does "delight in thy law" practically mean for a modern believer?**

Answer: For a modern believer, "delight in thy law" means much more than simply acknowledging the Bible's authority or intellectually assenting to its teachings. It signifies a profound, joyful, and active engagement with God's Word. Practically, this involves:
1. **Eager Study:** Approaching the Bible not as a burdensome textbook, but as a treasure map to divine wisdom and a love letter from God.
2. **Joyful Meditation:** Pondering its truths deeply, allowing them to shape one's thoughts, emotions, and desires, as described in [Joshua 1:8](/joshua/1-8 "Joshua 1:8 - Meditate on the Law Day and Night").
3. **Willing Obedience:** Finding pleasure in aligning one's life with God's commands, recognizing that His precepts lead to true flourishing and freedom.
4. **Spiritual Nourishment:** Experiencing the Word as a source of life, comfort, guidance, and strength, essential for spiritual vitality.
5. **Personal Relationship:** Seeing God's Word as a means of deepening one's relationship with God Himself, who is revealed through His Word. It's a joyful pursuit of God's heart and will, not a legalistic obligation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:70 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the contrast presented in the verse. The "fat heart" of the unrighteous points to the universal human condition of spiritual dullness and rebellion against God, a state from which only divine intervention can deliver. Humanity, in its fallen state, is inherently incapable of truly delighting in God's law, as its heart is hardened by sin, as described in [Romans 8:7](/romans/8-7 "Romans 8:7 - The Mind Governed by the Flesh is Hostile to God"). Jesus, however, is the only one whose heart was never "fat as grease." He perfectly delighted in His Father's law, not merely obeying it externally but fulfilling it from the depths of His being. He declared, "I have come not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them" ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His life was the perfect embodiment of God's will, a living expression of delight in the Father's commands, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for our "fat" hearts to be transformed. He gives us a new heart, a heart of flesh in place of a heart of stone ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and a New Spirit")), enabling us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to genuinely delight in God's law, which is now written on our hearts under the New Covenant ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Ultimately, our delight is not merely in a written code but in Christ Himself, who is the Living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")).

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

Psalms 17:10

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Psalms 119:16

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Psalms 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.

Romans 7:22

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: