Psalms 119:36
Psalms 119:36 in Multiple Translations
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.
Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.
Help me to concentrate on what you say rather than on making a profit.
Incline mine heart vnto thy testimonies, and not to couetousnesse.
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, And not unto dishonest gain.
Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Cause me to want to obey your rules and not to want to become rich.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:36
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:36 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַט
לִ֭בִּ/י
אֶל
עֵדְוֺתֶ֗י/ךָ
וְ/אַ֣ל
אֶל
בָּֽצַע
הַט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
לִ֭בִּ/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
עֵדְוֺתֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻêdûwth
H5715
testimony
N-fp | Suff
וְ/אַ֣ל
ʼal
H408
not
Conj | Part
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
בָּֽצַע
betsaʻ
H1215
unjust-gain
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:36
הַט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
לִ֭בִּ/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
עֵדְוֺתֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻêdûwth
H5715
"testimony"
N-fp | Suff
This word means a testimony or witness, often referring to God's laws or instructions. It is used in several books, including Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe God's guidance. The word emphasizes the importance of following God's laws.
Definition: testimony
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: testimony, witness. See also: Exodus 16:34; Numbers 17:19; Psalms 19:8.
וְ/אַ֣ל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Conj | Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
בָּֽצַע
betsaʻ
H1215
"unjust-gain"
N-ms
This word describes unjust gain or profit, often acquired through violence or dishonest means, as referred to in the Bible.
Definition: profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: covetousness, (dishonest) gain, lucre, profit. See also: Genesis 37:26; Isaiah 56:11; Psalms 30:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:36
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:36 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:36
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:36
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:36
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:36
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
- Sermons on Psalms 119:36
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
34Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
35Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
36Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word. 38Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 13:5 | Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” |
| 2 | Mark 7:21–22 | For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. |
| 3 | Luke 12:15 | And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” |
| 4 | 1 Kings 8:58 | May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers. |
| 5 | Psalms 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. |
| 6 | 2 Peter 2:3 | In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. |
| 7 | Colossians 3:5 | Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. |
| 8 | Psalms 10:3 | For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. |
| 9 | Exodus 18:21 | Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 33:31 | So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. |
Psalms 119:36 Summary
This verse is asking God to help us focus on His Word and will, rather than on getting more stuff or achieving success. It's a prayer to have our heart, or inner being, turned towards God's testimonies, which are His teachings and commands, as seen in Psalms 119:36. When we focus on God's Word, we will find delight and joy, as Psalms 119:35 teaches, and our actions will follow, as we seek to obey Him with all our heart, as Psalms 119:34 encourages. By seeking God's Word and will, we can avoid the trap of covetous gain and find true fulfillment in Him, as 1 Timothy 6:6 suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to turn my heart to God's testimonies?
To turn our hearts to God's testimonies means to focus our affections and desires on His Word and will, as expressed in Psalms 119:36, rather than on worldly gain or selfish desires, as warned against in 1 Timothy 6:10.
How can I avoid covetous gain and focus on God's Word?
We can avoid covetous gain by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, as Hebrews 12:2 encourages, and by seeking to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth, as Matthew 6:19-21 teaches.
What is the relationship between the heart and our actions?
The Bible teaches that our heart, or inner being, is the source of our actions, as seen in Matthew 15:19, and that if we turn our heart to God's testimonies, our actions will follow, as Proverbs 4:23 encourages us to guard our heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
How can I apply this verse to my daily life?
To apply Psalms 119:36 to our daily lives, we can start by seeking God's Word and will in all we do, as Psalms 119:105 suggests, and by asking God to turn our heart to His testimonies, rather than to selfish desires, as this verse teaches, and then following His leading, as seen in Psalms 32:8-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am seeking covetous gain, rather than God's testimonies?
- How can I practically turn my heart to God's Word and will in my daily decisions and actions?
- What are some 'worthless things' that I am focused on, and how can I turn my eyes away from them, as Psalms 119:37 teaches?
- In what ways can I seek to delight in God's commandments, as Psalms 119:35 encourages, and how will this affect my heart and actions?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,.... To read the word of God, to hear it opened and explained, to observe and keep the things contained in it; to which there is a disinclination in men
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Love to God and love to gain cannot dwell together in the same heart.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
Unto thy testimonies; to the love and practice of them. Not to covetousness; not to the inordinate love and desire of riches: which particular lust he mentions, partly, be cause this lust is most spreading and universal, and there is scarce any man who doth not desire riches either for the love of riches, or upon pretence of necessity, or for the service of pride or luxury, or some other lust; partly, because, this lust is most opposite to God’ s testimonies, and doth most commonly hinder men from receiving God’ s word, and from profiting by it; see and partly, because this lust is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil, , and is most mischievous in princes and governors, such as David was, and therefore in a special manner forbidden to them, .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
Psalms 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.Ver. 36. Incline my heart] Through the exercises of thy word, and the working of thy Spirit. And not to covetousness] Which draweth away the heart from all God’ s testimonies, and is the root of all evil, 1 Timothy 6:10. Some think it is put here for all other vices. The Chaldee hath it, and not to mammon, that mammon of iniquity, as Christ calleth it, the next odious name to the devil. Now, to good God inclineth man’ s heart efficiently (say the schools), but to evil, deficiently, sc. by withdrawing his grace; for he is a free agent, and not bound to any. David prayeth God to supersede him from this wickedness, and Luther saith he was never tempted to it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
(36) Covetousness.—Literally, rapine, prey. In Psalms 30:9 simply, “gain.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
Verse 36. Not to covetousness.] Let me have no inordinate love for gain of any kind, nor for any thing that may grieve thy Spirit, or induce me to seek my happiness here below.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:36
36. covetousness] Or, unjust gain. With this and the following verse cp. Isaiah 33:15.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:36
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies - Cause my heart to be inclined to them, or to be disposed to keep them. This, too, is a recognition of dependence, and a prayer for guidance.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:36
ä, He.33-40. Teach me… thy statutes—The trouble has passed, and entrance upon active and responsible life is contemplated. The writer sees the form of knowledge and of truth in the law.
Sermons on Psalms 119:36
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Southland Keswick Convention Gods Problem With a Soul by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the rebellion in the hearts of people against God. He emphasizes that God's answer to this rebellion is for people to return to Him. The prea |
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Battling the Unbelief of Covetousness by John Piper | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of contentment and warns against the desire for wealth. He highlights that the love of money is the root of all evils and can |
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Prayer - Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, Grant Us Access by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the importance of prayer as a means to access God, encouraging believers to come boldly to His throne of grace in the name of Jesus Christ. He acknowledges t |
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In My Solitary Hours in My Dear Husband His Absence by Anne Bradstreet | Anne Bradstreet's sermon reflects on her deep trust in God amidst trials, acknowledging His presence in her life, the comfort she finds in Him, and the surpassing joy she experienc |
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Of Examination of a Man's Self About Covetousness by William Gouge | William Gouge preaches about the sin of covetousness, emphasizing the importance for every Christian to examine themselves to see how deeply it has taken root in their hearts. He h |
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Of Remedies Against Covetousness by William Gouge | William Gouge emphasizes the importance of preventing and addressing covetousness by following specific rules: understanding true happiness and the deceitfulness of riches, setting |
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The Rage of the Present Day by John Angell James | John Angell James preaches about the importance of resisting the worldly influences that lead to pride, materialism, and spiritual poverty. He highlights the obsession with wealth, |