Psalms 119:102

¶ I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

I have not departed {H5493} from thy judgments {H4941}: for thou hast taught {H3384} me.

I don't turn away from your rulings, because you have instructed me.

I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.

Commentary

Psalms 119:102 (KJV): "I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me."

This verse, part of the longest psalm in the Bible, expresses the psalmist's unwavering commitment to God's divine law, attributing this steadfastness directly to God's own instruction.

Context

Psalm 119 is a profound acrostic poem, with each section (of eight verses) beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Its central theme is the excellency and sufficiency of God's Word, referred to by various synonyms such as statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, laws, and judgments. In verse 102, the psalmist declares his personal adherence to these divine standards, emphasizing that his faithfulness is not self-generated but is a direct result of God's active role in teaching and guiding him. This deep devotion reflects a life lived in constant communion with and dependence upon the divine instruction.

Key Themes

  • Steadfast Obedience: The phrase "I have not departed from thy judgments" signifies a consistent, deliberate choice to remain aligned with God's righteous decrees. It speaks to a life marked by spiritual discipline and faithfulness, even amidst potential challenges or temptations.
  • Divine Enablement: The crucial second half, "for thou hast taught me," reveals the source of the psalmist's obedience. It's not merely human willpower, but God's direct instruction and illumination that empowers the believer to follow His ways. This highlights the synergistic relationship between human responsibility and divine grace in the life of faith. This concept is echoed in Philippians 2:13, where Paul states that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
  • The Value of God's Word: The psalmist's declaration underscores the transforming power of God's Word (His "judgments"). It is through diligent study and divine teaching that believers gain the wisdom and strength to walk in righteousness, making it a lamp unto their feet and a light unto their path.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Judgments" (Hebrew: mishpatim - מִשְׁפָּטִים): This term refers to divine ordinances, decrees, and just decisions. It implies not just rules to be followed, but the righteous standards and governing principles of God's kingdom. It emphasizes the justice and equity inherent in God's law.
  • "Taught me" (Hebrew: yarat - יָרַת): This verb is closely related to the noun Torah (תּוֹרָה), which means "instruction" or "teaching." It signifies God's active role as a divine instructor, imparting wisdom, guidance, and understanding to the psalmist. This teaching is not merely intellectual but transformative, enabling the individual to live according to God's will. It speaks to the intimate relationship where God actively educates His children, much like a parent teaches a child.

Practical Application

Psalms 119:102 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. Obedience is a Choice, Enabled by God: While we are called to actively choose to follow God's Word, our ability to do so consistently comes from His grace and instruction. We can pray for God to teach us and empower our obedience.
  2. Seek Divine Instruction: Just as the psalmist acknowledged God as his teacher, we should diligently engage with God's Word through reading, study, and meditation, trusting that the Holy Spirit will illuminate its truth and apply it to our lives. This aligns with the wisdom found in James 1:5: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..."
  3. Acknowledge God's Role in Your Faith: Our spiritual growth and faithfulness are not solely dependent on our own efforts. It is through God's teaching, His indwelling Spirit, and His Word that we are equipped to live a life pleasing to Him. This verse encourages a humble and dependent posture before God.

This verse serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of God's Word when it is embraced and its truths are taught by the divine Teacher Himself, leading to a life of unwavering devotion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:21 (6 votes)

    For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

  • Proverbs 5:7 (5 votes)

    Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

  • 1 John 2:27 (5 votes)

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (5 votes)

    ¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

  • 1 John 2:19 (3 votes)

    They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

  • Jeremiah 32:40 (3 votes)

    And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

  • Ephesians 4:20 (2 votes)

    But ye have not so learned Christ;