Psalms 119:57
Psalms 119:57 in Multiple Translations
The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words.
The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.
Lord, you are mine! I have promised to do as you say.
CHETH. O Lord, that art my portion, I haue determined to keepe thy wordes.
[Cheth.] My portion [is] Jehovah; I have said — to keep Thy words,
The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Yahweh, you are the one whom I have chosen, and I promise to ◄obey your words/do what you have told us to do►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:57
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 119:57 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֶלְקִ֖/י
יְהוָ֥ה
אָמַ֗רְתִּי
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
דְּבָרֶֽי/ךָ
חֶלְקִ֖/י
chêleq
H2506
portion
N-ms | Suff
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אָמַ֗רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
דְּבָרֶֽי/ךָ
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:57
חֶלְקִ֖/י
chêleq
H2506
"portion"
N-ms | Suff
Smoothness can refer to flattering words, but also to an inheritance or a portion of something. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing the smooth tongue of a deceiver.
Definition: 1) portion, share, part, territory 1a) portion, share 1b) portion, tract, parcel (of land) 1c) one's portion, one's possession 1d) (chosen) portion 1e) portion, award (from God) Aramaic equivalent: cha.laq (חֲלָק "portion" H2508)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion. See also: Genesis 14:24; Job 27:13; Psalms 16:5.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אָמַ֗רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לִ/שְׁמֹ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
דְּבָרֶֽי/ךָ
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:57
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:57 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:57
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:57
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:57
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:57
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
- Sermons on Psalms 119:57
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
55In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.
56This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
57The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
58I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. 59I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 3:24 | “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” |
| 2 | Psalms 16:5 | The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. |
| 3 | Psalms 142:5 | I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” |
| 4 | Psalms 73:26 | My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 10:16 | The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name. |
| 6 | Psalms 119:115 | Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God. |
| 7 | Joshua 24:18 | And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!” |
| 8 | Joshua 24:21 | “No!” replied the people. “We will serve the LORD!” |
| 9 | Joshua 24:15 | But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” |
| 10 | Joshua 24:24–27 | So the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey His voice.” On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he established for them a statute and ordinance. Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was near the sanctuary of the LORD. And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.” |
Psalms 119:57 Summary
[The LORD is my portion, means that God is the most important thing in my life, and I trust in Him to take care of me. This is similar to what we see in Deuteronomy 10:9, where it says, 'Therefore, the Levites have no portion among their brothers; the LORD is their portion.' The psalmist is saying that he has promised to keep God's words, which means he is committed to obeying God's commands. This is because he loves and trusts God, and wants to live a life that pleases Him, as seen in John 14:15, where Jesus says, 'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to say 'The LORD is my portion'?
This phrase means that God is the psalmist's inheritance, his source of comfort, and his treasure, as seen in Psalm 16:5, where David says, 'The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.'
Why does the psalmist promise to keep God's words?
The psalmist promises to keep God's words because he has come to understand the value and importance of obeying God's commands, as expressed in Psalm 119:11, where he says, 'I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.'
How can I make the LORD my portion, like the psalmist?
To make the LORD your portion, you must trust in Him and seek to obey His commands, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where it says, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.'
What role does remembering God's name play in keeping His law?
Remembering God's name, as mentioned in Psalm 119:55, plays a crucial role in keeping His law, as it helps the psalmist to stay focused on God's character and commands, and to trust in His faithfulness, as expressed in Exodus 34:6-7, where God reveals His name and character to Moses.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can make the LORD my portion, and trust in Him as my source of comfort and strength?
- How can I, like the psalmist, promise to keep God's words, and what steps can I take to obey His commands?
- In what ways can I remember God's name, and trust in His faithfulness, in order to stay focused on His character and commands?
- What are some areas of my life where I need to seek God's face, and turn my steps to His testimonies, as mentioned in Psalm 119:58-59?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:57
x, CHETH.--The Eighth Part. Ver. 57. CHETH. [Thou art] my portion, O Lord,.... Which he chose and preferred to all others; to the riches, honours, and profits of this world; the grant of which was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
CHETH Whereas other men place their portion and happiness in worldly things, I have chosen thee for my portion and chief treasure, as he said, 73:26, and thou hast an all-sufficient and an excellent portion for me. I have said; I have not only purposed it in my own heart, but have professed and owned it before others, and I do not repent of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
Psalms 119:57 CHETH. [Thou art] my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.Ver. 57. Thou art my portion, O Lord] While other men’ s portion sunt divitiae vel deliciae, nothing short of God can satisfy me. I have said, &c.] i.e. Purposed and promised the obedience of faith.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
CHETH. (57) Thou art my portion, O Lord.—This rendering is in accordance with Psalms 16:5; Psalms 73:26. But, even with these passages in view, a better rendering would be— “This is my portion, O Lord, I said (it), To keep Thy words.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
LETTER ח CHETH. - Eighth Division Verse 57. Thou art my portion, O Lord] From the fifty-seventh to the sixtieth verse may be seen the progress of the work of grace on the human heart, from the first dawn of heavenly light till the soul is filled with the fulness of God. But as I consider this Psalm as notes selected from diaries of past experience, formed at different times; and that the author has been obliged, for the support of his acrostic plan, to interchange circumstances, putting that sometimes behind which in the order of grace comes before; because, to put it in its right place, the letters would not accord with the alphabetical arrangement; I shall therefore follow what I conceive to be its order in the connexion of grace, and not in the order in which the words are here laid down. See Clarke on Psalms 119:60.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:57
57–64. Chçth. The Psalmist’s devotion to Jehovah and His law.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:57
Thou art my portion, O Lord - This begins a new division of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Cheth (ח ch), which may be represented in English by “ch.” On the meaning of the language here, see the notes at Psalms 16:5.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:57
ç, Cheth.57-64. Thou art my portion—Having found in the statutes of the Lord the joy and solace mentioned in the last division, the writer now earnestly prays that, as the highest good, he may have a
Sermons on Psalms 119:57
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
I Want My Portion Now! by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of backsliding and encourages the audience to examine their reasons for coming to church. He emphasizes the importance of personal |
|
Deliberate Holiness by Tim Conway | This sermon focuses on Psalms 119:57 where David declares, 'The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.' The speaker emphasizes the importance of deliberate holiness, bei |
|
The Believer's Portion! by James Smith | James Smith preaches on the privilege of having God as our portion, emphasizing that while others may boast of their possessions and wealth which are limited and temporary, as Chri |
|
The Lord Is My Portion by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of keeping our eyes on God and seeking His presence in all circumstances. He reminds the audience of how God's people had rej |
|
The Discipline of Disappointment - 20 by Jack Hibbs | Jack Hibbs delivers a powerful sermon on 'The Discipline of Disappointment,' emphasizing that disappointment is an inevitable part of life that can be managed through faith in God. |
|
In the Hope of Eternal Life by John Greene | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a good hope of eternal life. He explains that a good hope must be based on God's Word, as God cannot lie. It must al |
|
The Lord My Portion by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes that the Lord is our true portion, contrasting the earthly possessions that can distract us from our spiritual inheritance. He reflects on the Levites, |