Psalms 119:133 — Word Study
WLCפְּ֭עָמַי הָכֵ֣ן בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־ תַּשְׁלֶט־ בִּ֥י כָל־ אָֽוֶן׃
BSAOrderkûwn [establish, direct] my stepspaʻam [footsteps, paths] in Your wordʼimrâh [promise, saying] let noʼal [do not allow] sinʼâven [iniquity, evil] ruleshâlaṭ▸ [domineer, have dominion]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| פְּ֭עָמַי | footsteps my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| הָכֵ֣ן | direct | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine singular |
| בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ | by word your | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְֽאַל־ | and may not | Conjunction, particle |
| תַּשְׁלֶט־ | it have power | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| בִּ֥י | over me | Preposition, suffix |
| כָל־ | any | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אָֽוֶן׃ | wickedness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me. |
| KJV | Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. |
| ASV | Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me. |
| YLT | My steps establish by Thy saying, And any iniquity doth not rule over me. |
| WEB | Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me. |
| BBE | Let my steps be guided by your word; and let not sin have control over me. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse.
The sentence is structured with a main request followed by a secondary clause expressing the desire for freedom from sin's control.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכּוּן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:133
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Guidancegenerated
Psalm 119:133 is a plea from the psalmist for God's direction in his life. He seeks to align his footsteps with God's teachings and desires to be free from the dominion of sin. This verse reflects a deep reliance on God's word as a source of guidance and strength, emphasizing the importance of divine assistance in maintaining righteousness.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:116 | Sustain me as You promised, that I may live; let me not be ashamed of my hope. |
| 2 | Psalm 17:5 | My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. |
| 3 | Psalm 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you. |
| 4 | Psalm 121:3 | He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 2:9 | He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הָכֵ֣ן, ha.Khengenerated
The verb כּוּן (kuwn) means to establish or direct. It conveys the idea of setting something in order, which in this context refers to the psalmist's request for God to guide his actions.
This imperative form indicates a strong desire for God's intervention, highlighting the psalmist's recognition of his dependence on divine guidance to navigate life according to God's will.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, with all versions reflecting the psalmist's plea for guidance and the desire to avoid sin's control.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הָכֵ֣ן, direct, governs the entire verse, with two phrases following: a prepositional phrase indicating how the steps should be ordered and a second clause expressing the desire for sin not to have power.
The structure emphasizes the psalmist's request for guidance and highlights the relationship between God's word and the avoidance of sin.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הָכֵ֣ן as κατεύθυνον, which means to direct or guide. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the need for divine guidance in one's life.
The LXX maintains the core message of the Hebrew text, emphasizing the importance of God's direction in avoiding sin.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:133 is a prayer asking God to guide the psalmist's steps according to His word and to prevent sin from having control over him. It shows a deep reliance on God's teachings for direction in life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is asking God to guide and direct his actions according to God's word.
The psalmist recognizes that sin can dominate and control one's life, and he desires to live righteously.
God's word provides guidance and direction, helping the psalmist to align his life with God's will.
This highlights the struggle against sin and the need for divine assistance to maintain a righteous path.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's guidance?
- How can I better align my actions with God's word?
- What steps can I take to avoid the influence of sin in my life?
- How does understanding God's word help me in my daily decisions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, such as Augustine, referenced this verse to discuss the importance of divine guidance and the struggle against sin.
See what the Psalmist next most openly says: "Order my steps after Your word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me" [Psalms 119:133].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
This free will will be free in proportion as it is sound, and sound in proportion as it is submissive to divine mercy and grace.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
When, however, you hear, “Sin shall have no dominion over you,” do not trust in yourself in order that sin may not dominate you, but trust in him to whom that holy one was praying when he said, “Direct my steps according to your word,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:133 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOrder my steps in thy word,.... Or, "by thy word" (s), or "according" to it.
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOrder my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 133. Order my steps; by thy grace direct and govern all my motions and actions. In thy word; in the way prescribed in thy word; or, by thy word. Let thy Spirit accompany thy word, and ingraft it within me, so that I may be guided and ruled by it. And although I have evil inclinations and affections within me, let them not bear sway in me, nor withdraw me from the course of obedience.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.Ver. 133. Order my steps in thy word] Let me walk as in a frame, walk by rule exactly, accurately, Ephesians 5:15. Here he prayeth that he may keep the affirmative precepts, saith Aben Ezra; as in the next words, the negative. And let not any iniquity have dominion over me] Let it not reign, though it doth rebel; let it be like those beasts in Daniel, whose dominion was taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time, Psalms 7:12.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(133) Have dominion.—Or, get the mastery. The Arabic root cognate with the Hebrew of the word appears in the title sultan.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 133. Order my steps] הכן hachen, make them firm; let me not walk with a halting or unsteady step. Have dominion over me.] בי bi, IN me. Let me have no governor but God; let the throne of my heart be filled by him, and none other.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges133. Direct my footsteps, or, make my footsteps firm, in or by thy word, and so let no iniquity have dominion over me, through stress either of temptation from within, or of trial from without. Iniquity or vanity is a comprehensive term for sin as moral worthlessness or antagonism to God; it is the very opposite of that law which is truth.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOrder my steps in thy word - My goings, or, my conduct and life - by thy word; according to thy requirements. Let me be wholly obedient to thy will. And let not any iniquity have dominion over me - See the notes at Psalms 19:13.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.
Direct my steps by your word! Do not let any sin dominate me!
Tyndale line
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Establish my footsteps in thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Order my footsteps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Direct my steppes in thy worde, and let none iniquitie haue dominion ouer me.
Strictly literal
Establish my steps in thy *word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
My steps establish by Thy saying, And any iniquity doth not rule over me.
Establish my steps by Your saying, || And any iniquity does not rule over me.
My steps establish thou through thy promise, and suffer not any wrong to have dominion over me.
Direct my footsteps by your word; do not let any sin rule me.
Simplified
Tell me by your word the way I should go, and don't let any kind of evil control me.
Let my steps be guided by your word; and let not sin have control over me.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with 8 of the 8 words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the same wording, indicating consistency across these ancient texts.
פְּ֭עָמַי הָכֵ֣ן בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־ תַּשְׁלֶט־ בִּ֥י כָל־ אָֽוֶן׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
פעמ׳י הכן לאמרת׳כה ואל תשלט ב׳י כול און
8 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:133
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פַּ֫עַם (pa'am) refers to a beat or stroke, and encompasses meanings such as foot, anvil, and occurrence. It can denote a footstep or time, indicating repetitions like once, twice, or thrice. The word is built from a root that suggests various applications related to rhythm and timing.
פַּ֫עַם 118 n.f. beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
base
H6471 פַּ֫עַם beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
6471 pa`am pah'-am
or (feminine) pa;amah {pah-am-aw'}; from 6470; a stroke,
literally or figuratively (in various applications, as
follow):--anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-)fold,
X now, (this) + once, order, rank, step, + thrice, ((often-)),
second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.
see HEBREW for 06470
פַּ֫עַם (pa.am) — beat.
1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence
1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep
1b) anvil
1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat
1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another
N-fp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs
כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.
[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.
Niph.
be set up, established, fixed
in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
prepare, be ready
pass. be prepared, of judgments
Hiph.
establish, set up
fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
provide for, provide, furnish
direct one's face toward
arrange, order
Hoph.
be established, of throne
be prepared for
Po‛lēl.
set up, establish
constitute, make, a man (in womb)
fix, so as to be ready
direct
Po‛lal. be established
Hithpo‛l. be established
base
נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5
ref
H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed
. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
. prepare, be ready
. pass. be prepared, of judgments
. . establish, set up
. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
. provide for, provide, furnish
. direct one's face toward
. arrange, order
. . be established, of throne
. be prepared for
. . set up, establish
. constitute, make, a man (in womb)
. fix, so as to be ready
. direct
. be established
. be established
H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow
3559 kuwn koon
a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand
perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great
variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper
or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,
fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,
ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,
fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very
deed.
כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.
: prepare/direct
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singularHVhv2ms
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
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)
Conj | Part — Conjunction · particleHC/Tn
שָׁלַט (shalat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to dominate or exercise power over something. It encompasses the ideas of governing, having mastery, and permitting authority. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, with the latter involving giving or obtaining power. An Aramaic equivalent is noted as שְׁלֵט.
שָׁלַט vb. domineer, be master of (late)
Qal domineer, lord it over
Hiph.
give power of
get mastery of
base
H7980 שָׁלַט domineer, be master of (late) .domineer, lord it over
. . give power of
. get mastery of
7980 shalat shaw-lat'
a primitive root; to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication,
to permit:--(bear, have) rule, have dominion, give (have)
power.
שָׁלַט (sha.lat) — to domineer.
1) to domineer, exercise power over, dominate, have mastery, be master, lord it over
1a) (Qal) to domineer, lord it over, become master
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to give power of
1b2) to get mastery of
Aramaic equivalent: she.let (שְׁלֵט "to rule" H7981)
V-Hiphil-Juss-3fs — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person feminine singularHVhi3fs
pou'-er: This word, indicative of might, strength, force, is used in the Old Testament to render very many Hebrew terms, the translation in numerous instances being varied in the Revised Version (British and American) to words like "valor," "rule," "strength," "might," "dominion." The principal words for "power" in the New Testament are dunamis, and exousia. In the latter case the Revised Version (British and American) frequently changes to "authority" (Mr 3:15; 6:7; Eph 1:21, etc.) or "right" (Ro 9:21; 1Co 9:6; 2Th 3:9, etc.). Power is attributed preeminently to God (1Ch…
For the use of this word in 1Co 11:10, see VEIL.
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HR/Sp1bs — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bs
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
אָ֫וֶן (aven) encompasses meanings related to trouble, sorrow, and wickedness. It may also refer to idolatry and the concept of vanity or nothingness. The entries suggest a range of negative connotations, including affliction and iniquity, indicating a strong moral or ethical dimension. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons.
אָ֫וֶן 85 n.m. trouble, sorrow, wickedness
trouble, sorrow
idolatry
trouble of iniquity, wickedness
base
H205 אָ֫וֶן trouble, sorrow, wickedness
205 'aven aw-ven'
from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence,
to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught);
strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness;
specifically an idol:--affliction, evil, false, idol,
iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust,
unrighteous, vain ,vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare 369.
see HEBREW for 0369
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: wickedness.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
אָ֫וֶן (a.ven) — evil: trouble.
1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow
1a) trouble, sorrow
1b) idolatry
1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
wik'-ed-nes:
1. In the Old Testament:
The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. See SIN. Many words are rendered "wickedness." There are many synonyms for wickedness in English and also in the Hebrew. Pride and vanity lead to it: "All the proud, and all that work wickedness (rish`ah) shall be stubble" (Mal 4:1). Akin to this is the word `awen, "iniquity," "vanity": "She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness" (Pr 30:20). Then we have the word hawwah, meaning "mischief," "calamity," coming from inward intent upon evil: "Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in…
