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
The phrase "You have ordained" speaks to the divine authority and intentionality of God. The Hebrew root for "ordained" is "tsavah," which means to command or appoint. This word emphasizes God's sovereign will and His active role in establishing His laws. In the historical context of ancient Israel, God's commandments were not merely suggestions but were divinely instituted for the well-being and guidance of His people. This reflects the belief that God's laws are purposeful and designed for the flourishing of His creation.

Your precepts
The term "precepts" comes from the Hebrew word "piqqudim," which refers to instructions or mandates. These are not arbitrary rules but are considered wise and beneficial guidelines given by God. In the scriptural context, precepts are seen as a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in a way that is holy and just. The use of "precepts" underscores the idea that God's laws are detailed and specific, providing a comprehensive framework for righteous living.

that we should keep
The phrase "that we should keep" highlights the expected response to God's precepts. The Hebrew word "shamar" is used here, meaning to guard, observe, or give heed. This implies an active and diligent effort to adhere to God's commandments. Historically, the Israelites were called to be a people set apart, and keeping God's laws was central to their identity and covenant relationship with Him. This phrase encourages believers to be vigilant and intentional in their obedience, recognizing that keeping God's precepts is both a duty and a privilege.

them diligently
The word "diligently" is translated from the Hebrew "me'od," which conveys the idea of exceeding effort or intensity. It suggests that keeping God's precepts requires more than casual observance; it demands wholehearted commitment and perseverance. In the broader biblical narrative, diligence in following God's laws is often associated with blessings and favor. This word serves as a reminder that true devotion to God involves earnest and persistent effort, reflecting a deep love and reverence for Him and His ways.

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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