Therefore I carefully follow all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Psalm 119:128 NASB Carefully follow – Step one: recognize that the miṣwōt are designed to ensure the success of society. Step two: do them! Now you know why ʿǎl-·kēn opens each of these last two verses in this section of the acrostic. There’s no…
The wicked have set a trap for me, yet I have not wandered from Your precepts. Psalm 119:110 NASB Trap – The Hebrew word translated “trap” is paḥ. It is literally a snare for birds. Its root is pāḥaḥ, to ensnare. Why would we want to be sure that we understand its use before we use “trap.” …
From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:104 NASB Get understanding – What does it mean to “get understanding.” In our word-intensive, dictionary-based culture, we would probably say that it means to gather useful information. For that we can (sometimes) just Google. What’s delivered is information, but that isn’t “understanding” in…
I understand more than those who are old, because I have complied with Your precepts. Psalm 119:100 NASB More than – The grammatical error spreads. Consider the strikingly different translation of Chabad: “From the wise elders I gain understanding, for I kept Your precepts.” The NASB rearranges the syntax and translates מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים as “more than the aged”…
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. Psalm 119:93 NASB Revived – The Hebrew verb ḥāyâ has a wide range of meanings: “live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever. Also be quickened, revive from sickness, discouragement, or even death.”[1] As if that weren’t enough, there are…
May the arrogant be put to shame, because they lead me astray with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts. Psalm 119:78 NASB Lead me astray – How many lies have you believed? How many of your usual assumptions about life are actually based on lies? Those seem to be particularly important questions in the political…
The arrogant [z]have forged a lie against me; with all my heart I will comply with Your precepts. Psalm 119:69 NASB Forged – I’m not sure why the NASB translators decided to use the English verb “forge.” The Hebrew is ṭāpal, “to smear, to plaster over.” It’s only used three times (the other two are in Job 13:4; 14:17). Those…
I am a companion to all those who [x]fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. Psalm 119:63 N ASB Companion – One of the biggest challenges in this modern world is picking the right friends. Social media has lowered the bar considerably. “Friends” are now those who click on my link. I may not know…
This has become mine, that I comply with Your precepts. Psalm 119:56 NASB Has become mine – My wife, Rosanne, carries an Italian identity card. Anywhere she goes in the EU, all she needs is this little card as her identification document. Of course, this is an entirely modern invention. In the past, identity was a…
And I will walk [q]at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. Psalm 119:45 NASB At liberty – “The high plateau in the heart of the Dolomites is a natural paradise in summer and winter and a wonderful destination for versatile day trips.”[1] Click on the footnote below if you want to see this fabulous place. And now I’ll…
