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Psalms 119:164

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¶ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Seven times {H7651} a day {H3117} do I praise {H1984} thee because of thy righteous {H6664} judgments {H4941}.

I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous rulings.

Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.

Seven times a day do I praise thee, Because of thy righteous ordinances.

Commentary

Psalms 119:164 reads: "¶ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments."

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem dedicated entirely to the excellence, beauty, and necessity of God's law, commandments, statutes, precepts, and judgments. The psalmist expresses profound love and devotion to God's Word, acknowledging it as a source of life, wisdom, and guidance. This particular verse, 164, falls within the 'Tsade' section (verses 161-168), where the psalmist reaffirms his unwavering love for God's precepts despite facing persecution and opposition.

Key Themes

  • Consistent Devotion and Praise: The phrase "seven times a day" is an idiom, not meant to be a literal count, but rather signifies completeness, abundance, and diligent consistency in praise. In biblical numerology, the number seven often denotes perfection or fullness. It highlights a life saturated with worship and gratitude.
  • Foundation in God's Righteousness: The reason for this overflowing praise is "because of thy righteous judgments." The Hebrew word for "judgments" here (mishpatim) refers to God's divine decrees, ordinances, and just decisions, which are inherently perfect, fair, and true. The psalmist praises God not just for who He is, but for how He governs and reveals His will through His perfect law. This echoes the sentiment found in Deuteronomy 32:4, which states, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
  • Gratitude for Divine Guidance: The verse demonstrates a deep appreciation for God's moral and spiritual guidance. The psalmist finds joy and reason for praise in the very structure and principles that God has established for life, recognizing them as good and beneficial.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "seven" is sheva (שֶׁבַע), often signifying completion or spiritual perfection. It suggests that the psalmist's praise is not occasional but comprehensive and all-encompassing, reflecting a life lived in constant awareness of God's presence and His righteous character. The word for "judgments," mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים), emphasizes God's just and equitable ordinances, which are always right and true, serving as a reliable foundation for life and worship.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to cultivate a life of consistent and fervent praise. While we may not literally praise God "seven times a day," the principle encourages a spiritual discipline where gratitude and adoration are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. It reminds us to seek out and appreciate God's divine decrees, understanding that His ways are always righteous and just, even when they are challenging. Like the psalmist, we are called to find abundant reasons to praise God, particularly for the truth and guidance found in His Word. This verse encourages a profound love for God's law as a source of joy and a pathway to knowing Him better, much like Psalm 1:2 highlights delighting in the law of the Lord.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 119:62 (12 votes)

    ¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

  • Psalms 55:17 (8 votes)

    Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

  • Psalms 97:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

  • Revelation 19:2 (1 votes)

    For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

  • Psalms 48:11 (1 votes)

    Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.