Psalms 119:2 — Word Study
WLCאַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־ לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃
BSABlessedʼesher [happy, truly fortunate] are those who keepnâtsar His testimoniesʻêdâh [divine laws, commandments] and seek Himdârash▸ [search after, request] with allkôl [their entire, whole] their heartlêb [inner being, soul, mind]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַ֭שְׁרֵי | how blessed! | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| נֹצְרֵ֥י | [are those who] observe | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural common |
| עֵדֹתָ֗יו | testimonies his | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| בְּכָל־ | with all | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| לֵ֥ב | [the] heart | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃ | they seek him | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. |
| KJV | Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. |
| ASV | Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart. |
| YLT | O the happiness of those keeping His testimonies, With the whole heart they seek Him. |
| WEB | Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart. |
| BBE | Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of translation for אַ֭שְׁרֵי — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause presents the blessed state, with a participial phrase expanding on the actions of those who are blessed.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָצַר
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 119:2
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 — The Blessings of Obediencegenerated
Psalm 119:2 expresses the joy of those who commit to keeping God's testimonies and seeking Him wholeheartedly. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the blessings that come from living according to God's laws, as seen throughout Psalm 119. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of a sincere heart in the pursuit of God, aligning with themes found in other parts of Scripture, such as Deuteronomy 6:5 and Jeremiah 29:13.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:22–146 | Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies. |
| 2 | Psalm 25:10 | All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees. |
| 3 | Psalm 105:45 | that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah! |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 6:17 | You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 2:3 | And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אַ֭שְׁרֵי, 'Ash.reigenerated
The word אַ֭שְׁרֵי ('Ash.rei) is a noun that conveys a sense of happiness or blessedness. It is often used as an interjection to express joy and is derived from a root meaning 'to be straight' or 'to be right'. This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the state of being blessed.
In this verse, it sets the tone for the entire statement, highlighting the happiness of those who are faithful to God's commandments. The parsing as a masculine plural construct indicates it refers to a group, emphasizing community in the pursuit of divine law.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the rendering of אַ֭שְׁרֵי as 'Blessed' or 'Happy', reflecting the same sentiment across versions like the BSB, KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb יִדְרְשֽׁוּ (yid.re.Shu.hu) governs the main clause, with a subject noun phrase and additional phrases describing the actions. The structure emphasizes the connection between observing God's laws and seeking Him.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the blessedness of those who keep the testimonies, followed by the action of seeking God, which is central to the psalmist's message.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אַ֭שְׁרֵי as μακάριοι (makarioi), which also means 'blessed' or 'happy'. This choice reflects a direct correspondence with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the emphasis on happiness derived from obedience.
The Greek word used for 'keep' in the Septuagint is ἐχερευνῶντες, suggesting a similar connotation of vigilance and care in observing God's commandments.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:2 tells us that those who keep God's testimonies and seek Him with all their heart are truly blessed. This verse highlights the joy and happiness that come from faithfully following God's laws and being devoted in one's search for Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To keep His testimonies means to observe and follow God's commandments and laws, as a way of living in accordance with His will.
Seeking God with all one's heart involves a sincere and devoted pursuit of a relationship with Him, prioritizing His presence and guidance in every aspect of life.
Blessedness is associated with keeping God's laws because obedience leads to a fulfilling and joyful life in alignment with God's purposes.
In this context, testimonies refer to God's laws and commandments that serve as guidance for His people, emphasizing the importance of adhering to them.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively seek God with my whole heart?
- How do I observe and keep God's testimonies in my daily life?
- What does it mean to me to be blessed by following God's commandments?
- How can I encourage others to seek God wholeheartedly?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, like Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the importance of seeking God and keeping His testimonies wholeheartedly.
Listen now to what he adds: "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart" [Psalms 119:2].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBlessed [are] they that keep his testimonies,.... The whole word of God, the Scriptures of truth, are his testimonies: they testify of the mind of God, and of his love and grace in the method of
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBlessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies. Eight terms are used for the Word of God in this psalm, all of which occur in this first stanza.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat keep, in mind and heart, that carefully and diligently observe, his testimonies; his precepts. For the reason of this and the other titles of God’ s word, see the argument or preface to this Psalm. That seek him, to wit, the Lord, expressed , that seek his presence, and favour, and acquaintance. With the whole heart; sincerely, industriously, and fervently, above all other things. This is opposed to hypocrisy, and sloth, and lukewarmness in religion.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:2 Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies, [and that] seek him with the whole heart.Ver. 2. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies] Angels do so, and are blessed, Revelation 22:9. And that seek him] Sincere ac sollicite; that seek not his omnipresence (what need they?), but his gracious presence.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. testimonies] See above, p. 704. and that seek him &c.] Omit and. Cp. Psalms 119:10; Deuteronomy 4:29. The word includes not only approaching God in prayer and worship, but studying to understand His Will expressed in His law. with the whole heart] See above, p. 705.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBlessed are they that keep his testimonies - His commandments or laws, considered as what he bears witness to concerning that which is just, wise, good.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleà, Aleph.1-8. Blessed are the undefiled—This, the first division, contains a general declaration of the blessing of faithfulness to the divine law.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 17 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
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart,
Tyndale line
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Blessed are they that keepe his testimonies, and seeke him with their whole heart.
Strictly literal
Blessed are they that observe his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart;
O the happiness of those keeping His testimonies, With the whole heart they seek Him.
O the blessedness of those keeping His testimonies, || They seek Him with the whole heart.
Happy are they who keep his testimonies, that seek him with all their heart.
Blessed are they who keep his solemn commands, who seek him with all their heart.
From the Latin
O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue.
Simplified
Happy are those who keep his commandments, who sincerely want to follow him.
Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart.
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 in this verse, with all words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some editorial restoration, but the core message remains consistent with the Masoretic Text.
אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־ לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃
6 of the 6 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.
אשרי [נוצרי] [עדות׳ו] [בכול] עת ידורשו׳ה
3 words on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
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 119:2
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.
אֶ֫שֶׁר (esher) refers to happiness or blessedness, often used as an interjection to express joy. It is derived from a related root and appears primarily in a masculine plural form. The entries consistently highlight its meaning related to happiness and blessing.
[אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] n.[m.] happiness, blessedness
base
H835 [אֶ֫שֶׁר, or אָשָׁר] happiness, blessedness
835 'esher eh'-sher
from 833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as
interjection, how happy!:--blessed, happy.
see HEBREW for 0833
אֶ֫שֶׁר (e.sher) — blessed.
1) happiness, blessedness
1a) often used as interjection
1b) blessed are
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
bles'-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of "praise," as in 1Sa 25:32, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel." But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of "happy" or "favored," and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked" (Ps 1:1); "Blessed art thou among women" (Lu 1:42); "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3).
See BEATITUDES.
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine plural commonHVqrmpc
ob-zurv' (representing various words, but chiefly shamar, "to keep," "to watch" etc.): Properly means "to take heed to," as in Isa 42:20, "Thou seest many things, but thou observest not" and from this sense all the usages of the word in English Versions of the Bible can be understood. Most of them, indeed are quite good modern usage (as "observe a feast," Ex 12:17, etc.; "observe a law" Le 19:37, etc.), but a few are archaic. So Ge 37:11, the King James Version "His father observed the saying" (the Revised Version (British and American) "kept the saying in mind"); Ho 13:7, "As a leopard .... will I observe them" (the…
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/Sp3ms
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)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
The Hebrew word לֵב (lev) means 'heart' and encompasses the inner man, mind, will, and emotions. It refers to the center of feelings, intellect, and moral character, as well as the seat of appetites and courage. The entries suggest a broad range of meanings related to human experience and thought, with a specific mention of its use in Jeremiah 51:1.
לֵב 599 n.m. (f.) inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the sea
elsewhere of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific reference to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
[various]
for the man himself
as seat of appetites
as seat of emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
H3820a לֵב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the sea
. elsewhere of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef., soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific reference to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions and determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. [various]
. for the man himself
. as seat of appetites
. as seat of emotions and passions
. seat of courage
H3820b לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash
3820 leb labe
a form of 3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very
widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect;
likewise for the centre of anything:--+ care for, comfortably,
consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-),
(hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X
heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X
themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly,
wisdom.
see HEBREW for 03824
לֵב (lev) — heart.
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
לֵב (lev) — Leb.
§ Leb- = "heart of"
(probably a cryptic name for Babylon by Atbash)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
hart (lebh, lebhabh; kardia): The different senses in which the word occurs in the Old Testament and the New Testament may be grouped under the following heads:
1. Various Meanings:
It represents in the first place the bodily organ, and by easy transition those experiences which affect or are affected by the body. Fear, love, courage, anger, Joy, sorrow, hatred are always ascribed to the heart--especially in the Old Testament; thus courage for which usually ruach is used (Ps 27:14); joy (Ps 4:7); anger (De 19:6, "while his heart is hot," lebhabh); fear (1Sa 25:37); sorrow (Ps 13:2), etc.
Heart
According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. “Heart” and “soul” are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.
The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6;
דָּרַשׁ (darash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or inquire. It encompasses a range of actions from frequenting a place to consulting deities in prayer and worship. The word can imply a diligent search or demand, and it appears in both Qal and Niphal forms, indicating various nuances of seeking and being sought. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
דָּרַשׁ 162 vb. resort to, seek
Qal
(tread a place,) resort to, frequent
seek, consult, inquire of
seek deity in prayer and worship
seek, with idea of demanding, require
inquire, investigate (a matter)
ask for, require, demand
seek with application, study, follow, practise
seek with care, care for
Niph.
let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of God
be sought out
be required, of blood
base
H1875 דָּרַשׁ resort to, seek
1875 darash daw-rash'
a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to
follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or
ask; specifically to worship:--ask, X at all, care for, X
diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer,
question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.
דָּרַשׁ (da.rash) — to seek.
1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place)
1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek
1a2a) of God
1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers
1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship
1a3a) God
1a3b) heathen deities
1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require
1a5) to investigate, enquire
1a6) to ask for, require, demand
1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application
1a8) to seek with care, care for
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God)
1b2) to be sought, be sought out
1b3) to be required (of blood)
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVqi3mp/Sp3ms