Psalm 119:4
New International Version
You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

New Living Translation
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.

English Standard Version
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

Berean Standard Bible
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

King James Bible
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

New King James Version
You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.

New American Standard Bible
You have ordained Your precepts, That we are to keep them diligently.

NASB 1995
You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently.

NASB 1977
Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, That we should keep them diligently.

Legacy Standard Bible
You have commanded us, To keep Your precepts diligently.

Amplified Bible
You have ordained Your precepts, That we should follow them with [careful] diligence.

Christian Standard Bible
You have commanded that your precepts be diligently kept.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept.

American Standard Version
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.

Contemporary English Version
You have ordered us always to obey your teachings;

English Revised Version
Thou hast commanded us thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You have commanded that your guiding principles be carefully followed.

Good News Translation
LORD, you have given us your laws and told us to obey them faithfully.

International Standard Version
You have commanded concerning your precepts, that they be guarded with diligence.

Majority Standard Bible
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

NET Bible
You demand that your precepts be carefully kept.

New Heart English Bible
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

World English Bible
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You have commanded us to diligently keep Your precepts,

Young's Literal Translation
Thou hast commanded us Thy precepts to keep diligently,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou didst command thy charges to be watched greatly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You have ordered your commandments to be kept most diligently.

New American Bible
You have given them the command to observe your precepts with care.

New Revised Standard Version
You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thou hast commanded them to keep thy precepts diligently.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You have commanded us to keep your commandments excellently!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou hast commanded us diligently to keep thy precepts.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
3They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. 4You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:17
You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.

Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him—

Joshua 22:5
But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

1 Kings 2:3
And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,

2 Kings 17:13
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”

Nehemiah 1:5
Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,

Nehemiah 9:29
You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.

Proverbs 3:1
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

Isaiah 48:18
If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.

Ezekiel 11:20
so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Matthew 28:20
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

Romans 7:12
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.


Treasury of Scripture

You have commanded us to keep your precepts diligently.

Deuteronomy 4:1,9
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you…

Deuteronomy 5:29-33
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! …

Deuteronomy 6:17
Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














You have ordained Your precepts
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and authority of God's commandments. The term "ordained" suggests a formal establishment, indicating that these precepts are not arbitrary but are set by God Himself. In the biblical context, God's laws were given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20), highlighting their divine source. The word "precepts" refers to specific instructions or rules intended to guide behavior. These are not merely suggestions but are binding commands. The idea of God ordaining His laws is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 19:7, which states, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul." This reflects the belief that God's laws are perfect and beneficial for human life.

that we should keep them diligently
The phrase "that we should keep them" implies a responsibility on the part of believers to adhere to God's commandments. The use of "diligently" underscores the need for careful and persistent effort in observing these precepts. This is not a passive or occasional observance but an active and consistent commitment. In Deuteronomy 6:17, the Israelites are instructed to "diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God." This reflects a broader biblical theme of obedience as a demonstration of faith and love for God (John 14:15). The diligent keeping of God's laws is seen as a path to blessing and prosperity, as indicated in Joshua 1:8, where meditating on and obeying the law is linked to success.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, though some scholars suggest other possibilities. The psalmist is deeply devoted to God's law and seeks to live according to His commandments.

2. God
The divine author of the precepts mentioned in the verse. God is portrayed as the one who ordains and commands His laws for His people to follow.

3. Israel
The nation to whom the precepts were originally given. The Israelites were chosen by God to be His people and were given His laws to guide their lives.
Teaching Points
The Authority of God's Precepts
God's precepts are not mere suggestions but are ordained by Him, carrying divine authority and requiring our obedience.

Diligence in Obedience
The Hebrew word for "diligently" (me'od) implies an earnest and wholehearted effort. Believers are called to pursue God's commandments with intentionality and zeal.

The Purpose of God's Commands
God's precepts are given for our benefit, guiding us in righteousness and helping us to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

Consistency in Spiritual Discipline
Regular engagement with God's Word is essential for understanding and keeping His precepts. This involves daily reading, meditation, and application of Scripture.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
While we are called to keep God's precepts diligently, it is through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we are able to live in obedience to His commands.Verse 4. - Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently; rather, thou hast ordained thy precepts for diligent observance, or for men to observe them diligently. Men sometimes give precepts which they do not care to have obeyed; but God's precepts are intended for careful, diligent, and continual observance. The "thou" at the beginning (attah) is emphatic.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You
אַ֭תָּה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have ordained
צִוִּ֥יתָה (ṣiw·wî·ṯāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

Your precepts,
פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ (p̄iq·qu·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6490: Appointed, a mandate

that we should keep them
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

diligently.
מְאֹֽד׃ (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:4 You have commanded your precepts that we (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:3
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