Psalms 119:29

Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Remove {H5493} from me the way {H1870} of lying {H8267}: and grant me thy law {H8451} graciously {H2603}.

Keep deceitful ways far from me, and favor me with your Torah.

Remove me from the path of deceit and graciously grant me Your law.

Remove from me the way of falsehood; And grant me thy law graciously.

Commentary

Psalms 119:29 is a heartfelt prayer from the psalmist, expressing a deep desire for integrity and a reliance on God's divine instruction. It encapsulates a plea for deliverance from falsehood and a fervent request for grace to understand and live by God's truth.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, an extended acrostic poem (though not perfectly maintained in the KJV) that celebrates the enduring value, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's law (Torah). Each section of eight verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse falls within the fourth section, "Daleth," where the psalmist continues to express devotion to God's precepts amidst various challenges and temptations. The overarching theme of the psalm is a profound love and dependence on God's word for guidance and spiritual sustenance.

Key Themes

  • A Prayer for Honesty and Truth: The phrase "Remove from me the way of lying" is a petition for liberation from deceit, insincerity, and any path that deviates from truth. It reflects a profound desire for inner and outer integrity, recognizing that falsehood can lead one astray from God's righteous path. This isn't just about avoiding verbal lies, but a lifestyle of authenticity before God and others.
  • Desire for God's Law as Grace: The request "grant me thy law graciously" highlights that the psalmist views God's commandments not as a burdensome set of rules, but as a benevolent gift. The word "graciously" (Hebrew: chanan) implies a plea for favor, mercy, and unmerited kindness. It's a recognition that understanding and obeying God's law requires divine enablement and a gracious outpouring of wisdom from the Lord. It signifies a longing for God's instruction to be freely given and received, leading to spiritual flourishing, much like the blessed man who delights in the law of the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "lying" here, sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), encompasses falsehood, deceit, and vanity. It speaks to anything that is not genuine or true, whether in word or deed. The "law" (Hebrew: Torah, תּוֹרָה) is a rich term, referring to divine instruction, teaching, and guidance, not merely a rigid legal code. The psalmist seeks this Torah not as an obligation, but as a gracious gift, emphasizing God's kindness in revealing His will.

Practical Application

Psalms 119:29 remains a powerful prayer for believers today. In a world often characterized by misinformation and moral ambiguity, this verse encourages us to:

  • Seek Truth: Actively pray for God to deliver us from all forms of falsehood, both external influences and internal tendencies toward self-deception or hypocrisy. This aligns with the New Testament call to "put away lying, and speak every man truth with his neighbour".
  • Embrace God's Word: Recognize God's Word (the Bible) as a gracious gift, full of divine wisdom and guidance, rather than a list of restrictions. We should approach it with humility and a desire for God to reveal its truths to us, enabling us to live lives pleasing to Him. The Holy Spirit is essential in guiding us into all truth.
  • Live with Integrity: This verse calls for a consistent commitment to honesty in all areas of life—thoughts, words, and actions—trusting that God's law is the best path for true freedom and blessing.
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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

  • 1 John 1:8 (7 votes)

    ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • 1 John 2:4 (7 votes)

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

  • Psalms 119:37 (5 votes)

    ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.

  • Proverbs 30:8 (5 votes)

    Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

  • Hebrews 8:10 (5 votes)

    For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

  • Hebrews 8:11 (5 votes)

    And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

  • Revelation 22:15 (4 votes)

    For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.