Psalms 119:167 — Word Study
WLCשָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃
BSAInephesh obeyshâmar■ [keep, watch over] Your testimoniesʻêdâh [divine laws, witness] and love themʼâhab▸ [have affection for, cherish] greatlymᵉʼôd [exceedingly, very much]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה | it keeps | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| נַ֭פְשִׁי | self my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ | testimonies your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם | and I have loved them | Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular, suffix |
| מְאֹֽד׃ | exceedingly | Adv |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly. |
| KJV | My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. |
| ASV | My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly. |
| YLT | Kept hath my soul Thy testimonies, And I do love them exceedingly. |
| WEB | My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly. |
| BBE | My soul has kept your unchanging word; great is my love for it. |
Where they part company is מְאֹֽד — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a conjunction and another main clause, indicating a strong connection between obedience and love.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbשָׁמַר
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 119:167
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 — Meditation on God's Lawgenerated
Psalm 119:167 is a declaration of the psalmist's devotion to God's testimonies, highlighting both obedience and love. This verse is situated within a broader reflection on the importance of adhering to divine commandments, as seen in the surrounding verses that emphasize waiting for salvation and understanding God's will.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:6–8 | Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments. |
| 2 | John 14:21–24 | Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” |
| 3 | John 15:9–10 | As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. |
| 4 | Hebrews 10:16 | “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” |
| 5 | Psalm 40:8 | I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שָׁמַר, sha.me.Rahgenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a verb meaning 'to keep' or 'to guard.' It conveys the idea of protecting and attending to something, such as observing God's commandments. The parsing indicates it is in the perfect tense, third person feminine singular, suggesting a completed action.
This word encompasses a range of actions, including obedience and vigilance, and reflects a commitment to uphold divine laws. It is used extensively throughout the Old Testament, indicating both physical and moral responsibilities.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has obey and love, which align with the KJV and ASV.
Where others part company with the BSB they part company over the adverb מְאֹֽד — exceedingly (ASV, KJV) versus very much (FBV).
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה, it keeps, governs the verse, with a noun phrase as the subject and another noun phrase as the object. The structure emphasizes the action of keeping and loving God's testimonies.
The sentence flows from the subject's commitment to God's laws to the expression of love, indicating a deep relationship between obedience and affection.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שָׁמַר as ἐφύλαχεν, meaning 'to guard' or 'to keep.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, affirming the protective aspect of obedience.
The rendering of עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ as σου indicates a direct relationship to God's testimonies, maintaining the personal connection found in the Hebrew.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:167 shows the psalmist's commitment to obeying God's laws and his deep love for them. This verse emphasizes the importance of both keeping God's commandments and cherishing them in one's heart.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Obeying God's testimonies means to follow and uphold His commandments and teachings, treating them with respect and diligence.
Loving God's testimonies greatly involves cherishing His laws and finding joy and fulfillment in following them, seeing them as beneficial for life.
The word 'soul' emphasizes the depth of the psalmist's commitment, indicating that his entire being is engaged in the obedience and love of God's laws.
The surrounding verses highlight the psalmist's longing for God's salvation and understanding, framing his obedience and love as essential components of his faith journey.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I show my love for God's commandments in my daily life?
- How does understanding the meaning of 'keeping' God's laws change my perspective on obedience?
- What are some specific testimonies of God that I cherish and hold dear?
- How can I encourage others to appreciate and love God's laws as I do?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, noting the psalmist's deep love for God's testimonies, which reflects a profound spiritual commitment.
"My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I have loved them exceedingly:" or, as some copies read, "has loved them," understanding, "my soul" [Psalms 119:167].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:167 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy soul hath kept thy testimonies,.... The word of God, which he kept cordially and heartily; and in his heart, laid it up there; and with his whole soul observed the doctrines and kept the precepts
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. My soul hath kept thy testimonies ... for all my ways are before thee - they are all known to thee, and thou wilt recompense me accordingly.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 167. I have not only obeyed thy commands, which a hypocrite may sometimes and in part do for worldly ends, but I have done it with my very soul, and from a hearty love to them.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.Ver. 167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies] sc. As well as mortality will afford. And I love them exceedingly] "I delight in the law of God after the inward man," Romans 7:22. "I trust I have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly," Hebrews 13:18.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 167. My soul hath kept] I have not attended to the latter merely, but my spirit has entered into the spirit and design of thy testimonies.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges161–168. Shîn (and Sîn). God’s law fills the Psalmist’s heart with awe, joy, love, and gratitude; he has been diligent in its observance. It is not the boasting of the Pharisee, but the honest profession of a good conscience. This stanza and that of Mçm (Psalms 119:97 ff.) contain no petition.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy soul hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exeeedingly - I am conscious of loving them; I feel an inward assurance that I do love them.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleùׁ, Shin.161-168. Princes have persecuted me—Persecutions still return, yet “the joy of the Lord” is his strength.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly.
My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly.
I keep your rules; I love them greatly.
Tyndale line
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
My soul hath observed thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
My soule hath kept thy testimonies: for I loue them exceedingly.
Strictly literal
My soul hath kept thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
Kept hath my soul Thy testimonies, And I do love them exceedingly.
My soul has kept Your testimonies, || And I love them exceedingly.
My soul hath observed thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I observe your solemn commands, and I love them greatly.
Simplified
I obey your laws and love them very much.
My soul has kept your unchanging word; great is my love for it.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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 agree closely, as all five words match in meaning, indicating a consistent understanding of the psalmist's declaration of obedience and love for God's laws.
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃
5 of the 5 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.
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 119:167
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.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--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).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: 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
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
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)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
עֵדָה (edah) refers to 'testimony' or 'witness' and is noted for being used only in the plural form in the context of divine testimonies. It is derived from the feminine form of another Hebrew word, עֵד (ed), which also relates to witness. The entries consistently emphasize its technical sense in legal and religious contexts.
עֵדָה n.f. testimony, witness
base
[עֵדָה] n.f. only pl. MT testimonies
base
H5713a עֵדָה testimony, witness H5713b עֵדָה only pl. MT testimonies
5713 `edah ay-daw'
feminine of 5707 in its techn. sense; testimony:--
testimony, witness. Compare 5712.
see HEBREW for 05707
see HEBREW for 05712
עֵדָה (e.dah) — witness.
testimony, witness
עֵדָה (e.dah) — testimony.
always plural and always of laws as divine testimonies
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word אָהֵב (*'ahab*) means 'to love' and encompasses various forms of affection, including human love for others, love for God, and even appetites for things like food and wisdom. It can also refer to friendship and divine love towards humanity, particularly Israel. The entries indicate that it can function in different grammatical forms, such as participles for 'lovely' or 'loveable'.
אָהֵב 216 vb. love
Qal
human love to human object
less oft. of appetite
love to God
esp. Pt.
of divine love
Niph. Pt. pl. lovely, loveable
Pi.
friends
lovers
base
H157 אָהֵב love
157 'ahab aw-hab'
or raheb {aw-habe'}; a primitive root; to have affection for
(sexually or otherwise):--(be-)love(-d, -ly, -r), like,
friend.
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: lover.
: lover
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
1a5b) to people Israel
1a5c) to righteousness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) lovely (participle)
1b2) loveable (participle)
1c) (Piel)
1c1) friends
1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers)
2) to like
Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
אָהֵב (a.hav) — to love: friend.
: friend
1) to love
1a) (Qal)
1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual
1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom
1a3) human love for or to God
1a4) act of being a friend
1a4a) lover (participle)
1a4b) friend (participle)
1a5) God's love toward man
1a5a) to individual men
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect first person common singular · suffixHc/Vqw1cs/Sp3mp
מְאֹד (m`od) refers to concepts of muchness, force, and abundance. It serves as an adverb meaning exceedingly or greatly, often used to intensify other words. The entries highlight its use in various idioms to express magnitude or degree, with a focus on might and intensity.
מְאֹד n.m. muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
force, might
in diff. idioms (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
base
H3966 מְאֹד muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly . force, might
. in diff. idiomns (298 t.) to express the idea of exceedingly, greatly, very (whether of magnitude or degree)
3966 m`od meh-ode'
from the same as 181; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or
without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly,
speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
superlative; especially when repeated):--diligently,
especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), X
louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so)
sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.
see HEBREW for 0181
מְאֹד (me.od) — much.
adv
1) exceedingly, much
subst
2) might, force, abundance
n m
3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly
3a) force, might
3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree)
3b1) exceedingly
3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
3b3) with muchness, muchness
Adv — AdvHAcmsa