Psalms 119:70

Translation
King James Version
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Their heart H3820 is as fat H2954 as grease H2459; but I delight H8173 in thy law H8451.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Their hearts are as thick as fat, but I take delight in your Torah.
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Berean Standard Bible
Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law.
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American Standard Version
Their heart is as fat as grease; But I delight in thy law.
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World English Bible Messianic
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Torah.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Their heart is fatte as grease: but my delite is in thy Lawe.
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Young's Literal Translation
Insensate as fat hath been their heart, I--in Thy law I have delighted.
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See also
Psalms 17:10Acts 28:27Psalms 73:7Psalms 119:16Isaiah 6:10Psalms 40:8Romans 7:22
In the KJVVerse 15,969 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 119:70 vividly contrasts two spiritual states: the "fat" heart of the unrighteous, signifying spiritual dullness and insensitivity to divine truth, and the Psalmist's vibrant "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. It serves as a profound statement on the essential difference between those who reject God's revelation and those who embrace it with joy.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalm 119 stands as the longest chapter in the Bible, an intricately structured acrostic poem. It comprises 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with every verse within a stanza beginning with that letter. The entire psalm is a magnificent and exhaustive celebration of God's Word, employing a rich vocabulary of synonyms for "law" (e.g., statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, decrees, words, judgments). Verse 70 is situated within the "Yodh" section (verses 73-80), which follows the Psalmist's expressions of profound affliction and his unwavering trust in God's faithfulness despite severe persecution. The pronoun "their" in verse 70 refers to the proud, the arrogant, or those who persecute the righteous, a theme introduced earlier in the psalm, as seen in the Psalmist's lament about those who mock him (e.g., Psalm 119:51) or those who lay snares for him (Psalm 119:61). This verse thus serves as a sharp antithesis, emphasizing the Psalmist's distinct and unwavering devotion to God's law in direct contrast to the spiritual state of his adversaries.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israelite thought, the "heart" (לֵב, leb) was understood as far more than a physical organ; it was considered the very core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and conscience. Therefore, the condition of the heart was paramount to one's spiritual and moral state, determining one's character and actions. The metaphor of a heart "fat as grease" draws upon the common understanding of fat in the ancient Near East. While fat was often considered the "best" or "richest" part for sacrificial offerings, implying abundance or choiceness, when applied to the heart in a negative sense, it signified heaviness, dullness, or insensitivity. A heart "clogged" with fat would be unresponsive, impervious to feeling, conviction, or divine truth. The "law" (תּוֹרָה, Torah) in this context refers to God's divine instruction in its broadest sense, encompassing not only the legal codes of the Pentateuch but His entire revelation, His will, and His way of life for His people. Delight in the Torah was a hallmark of true piety and wisdom, a concept deeply embedded in Israelite spirituality, evident 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, self-indulgence, or pride, and one that finds genuine joy and spiritual vitality in God's truth. This contrast 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. This spiritual state often stems from prosperity, pride, or indifference, leading to an inability to perceive or respond to God's will. In sharp 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 beautifully echoed in the Psalmist's longing for God's testimonies (e.g., Psalm 119:24).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Heart (Hebrew, לֵב, lêb, H3820): This term, a common biblical word, refers to the innermost being of a person—the seat of emotions, intellect, will, and moral character. It is the core of one's identity and the wellspring of all actions. In this verse, the condition of the "heart" is central to understanding the spiritual state described, representing the very essence of spiritual responsiveness or dullness.
  • Fat (Hebrew, טָפַשׁ, ṭâphash, H2954): This primitive root means "to be thick" and, figuratively, "to be stupid" or "to be fat." When applied to the heart, it conveys a sense of spiritual sluggishness, dullness, or insensitivity. It suggests a mind and will that have become unresponsive to divine truth, perhaps due to indulgence, pride, or a lack of spiritual exercise, rendering them impervious to God's voice or moral conviction.
  • Delight (Hebrew, שָׁעַע, shâʻaʻ, H8173): This root word carries the meaning "to look upon (with complacency)," "to fondle," "to please or amuse (self)." In a positive sense, as here, it signifies a deep, joyful engagement and profound satisfaction. It describes an eager, cherished, and voluntary relationship with God's instruction, far removed from a grudging obligation. It implies finding true joy and spiritual recreation in God's Word.

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, reinforced by "as grease" (from H2459 cheleb, meaning fat or richness), 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, making one spiritually "stupid" or unresponsive.
  • "[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, thriving, and finding its deepest joy in God's perfect instruction.

Literary Devices

Psalms 119:70 is a masterclass 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 profound Antithesis highlights the fundamental difference between those who are spiritually dull and those who are spiritually vibrant and responsive to God. The phrase "their heart is as fat as grease" serves as a powerful Metaphor, transforming a physical characteristic (fatness, heaviness, thickness) into a spiritual one (insensitivity, dullness, unresponsiveness, spiritual stupidity). 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 the adversative conjunction "but" further emphasizes the dramatic shift in spiritual disposition, underscoring the Psalmist's conscious choice and profound devotion in contrast to the prevailing indifference of his adversaries.

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 or alienation from God. 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. It underscores that spiritual vitality is directly correlated with one's posture toward God's divine revelation.

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. A heart that delights in God's law is a heart that is alive, discerning, and actively pursuing righteousness, contrasting sharply with a heart numbed by indifference or worldly pursuits.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what specific areas of my life might my heart be becoming "fat" or insensitive to God's voice and truth, and what are the signs?
  • What practical steps can I commit to taking this week to cultivate a deeper "delight" in God's law and His Word daily, moving beyond mere duty to genuine joy and spiritual nourishment?
  • How does my current engagement with God's Word reflect the true condition of my heart—is it characterized by spiritual dullness, or by vibrant, eager 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, and the verb טָפַשׁ, ṭâphash) 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 and a sign of abundance. However, when applied metaphorically to the human heart or mind, "fatness" takes on a negative connotation, signifying dullness, insensitivity, sluggishness, or spiritual stupidity. 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, such as Pharaoh's heart being hardened in Exodus or the people's hearts becoming dull in Isaiah 6:10.

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 that transforms one's inner being. 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, anticipating the spiritual riches it contains.
  2. Joyful Meditation: Pondering its truths deeply, allowing them to shape one's thoughts, emotions, and desires, as described in Joshua 1:8, where meditation leads to prosperity and success.
  3. Willing Obedience: Finding genuine pleasure in aligning one's life with God's commands, recognizing that His precepts lead to true flourishing, freedom, and a life well-lived.
  4. Spiritual Nourishment: Experiencing the Word as a vital source of life, comfort, guidance, and strength, essential for spiritual vitality and growth, much like daily bread for the soul.
  5. Personal Relationship: Seeing God's Word as a primary means of deepening one's intimate 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, leading to a life lived in accordance with His divine nature.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 119:70 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the divine contrast presented in the verse. The "fat heart" of the unrighteous points to the universal human condition of spiritual dullness, insensitivity, and inherent rebellion against God's law—a fallen state from which only divine intervention can deliver. Humanity, in its natural state, is inherently incapable of truly delighting in God's law, as its heart is hardened by sin, a mind hostile to God and unable to submit to His law (Romans 8:7). 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, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). His entire life was the perfect embodiment of God's will, a living expression of delight in the Father's commands, even to the point of obedient death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). 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), enabling us, by the indwelling 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). Ultimately, our delight is not merely in a written code but in Christ Himself, who is the Living Word (John 1:1, John 1:14), in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden (Colossians 2:3), and who empowers our transformed hearts to walk in His statutes.

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Commentary on Psalms 119 verses 69–70

David here tells us how he was affected as to the proud and wicked people that were about him. 1. He did not fear their malice, nor was he by it deterred from his duty: They have forged a lie against me. Thus they aimed to take away his good name. Nay, all we have in the world, even life itself, may be brought into danger by those who make no conscience of forging a lie. Those that were proud envied David's reputation, because it eclipsed them, and therefore did all they could to blemish him. They took a pride in trampling upon him. They therefore persuaded themselves it was no sin to tell a deliberate lie if it might but expose him to contempt. Their wicked wit forged lies, invented storied which there was not the least colour for, to serve their wicked designs. And what did David do when he was thus belied? He will bear it patiently; he will keep that precept which forbids him to render railing for railing, and will with all his heart sit down silently. He will go on in his duty with constancy and resolution: "Let them say what they will, I will keep thy precepts, and not dread their reproach." 2. He did not envy their prosperity, nor was he by it allured from his duty. Their heart is as fat as grease. The proud are at ease (Psa 123:4); they are full of the world, and the wealth and pleasures of it; and this makes them, (1.) Senseless, secure, and stupid; they are past feeling: thus the phrase is used, Isa 6:10. Make the heart of this people fat. They are not sensible of the touch of the word of God or his rod. (2.) Sensual and voluptuous: "Their eyes stand out with fatness (Psa 73:7); they roll themselves in the pleasures of sense, and take up with them as their chief good; and much good may it do them. I would not change conditions with them. I delight in thy law; I build my security upon the promises of God's word and have pleasure enough in communion with God, infinitely preferable to all their delights." The children of God, who are acquainted with spiritual pleasures, need not envy the children of this world their carnal pleasures.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 69–70. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Letter 79
If the soul, with its capacity for pleasure and delight, has tasted this true and highest good and has adhered to both with the means at its disposal, putting away sorrow and fear, then it is wonderfully inflamed. Having embraced the Word of God, it knows no bounds, it knows no satiety, and says, “You are sweet, O Lord, and in your joy teach me your laws.” Having embraced the Word of God, the soul desires him above every beauty; it loves him above every joy; it is delighted with him above every perfume; it wishes often to see, often to gaze, often to be drawn to him that it may follow. “Your name,” it says, “is as oil poured out, and that is why we maidens love you and vie with one another but cannot attain to you. Draw us that we may run after you, that from the odor of ointments we may receive the power to follow you.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Letter 83
Sin abounded by the law because through the law came knowledge of sin, and it became harmful for me to know what through my weakness I could not avoid. It is good to know beforehand what one is to avoid, but, if I cannot avoid something, it is harmful to have known about it. Thus was the law changed to its opposite, yet it became useful to me by the very increase of sin, for I was humbled. And David therefore says, “It is good for me that I have been humbled.” By humbling myself I have broken the bonds of that ancient transgression by which Adam and Eve had bound the whole line of their succession. Hence, too, the Lord came as an obedient man to loose the knot of human disobedience and deception. And as through disobedience sin entered, so through obedience sin was remitted. Therefore, the apostle says, “For just as by the disobedience of one man the many were constituted sinners, so also by the obedience of the one the many will be constituted just.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 119
"Their heart is curdled as milk" [Psalm 119:70]. Whose, save the proud, whose iniquity he has said has been multiplied upon him? But he wishes it to be understood by this word, and in this passage, that their heart has become hard. It is used also in a good sense, and is understood to mean, full of grace: for this word, some have also interpreted "curdled."...
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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