Psalms 119:26 — Word Study
WLCדְּרָכַ֣י סִ֭פַּרְתִּי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
BSAI recountedçâphar■ [declared, shared] my waysderek [path, journey, manner of life] and You answered meʻânâh▸ [responded, heard] teach melâmad [guide, instruct] Your statuteschôq [decrees, laws, divine rules]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דְּרָכַ֣י | ways my | Noun common both plural construct, suffix |
| סִ֭פַּרְתִּי | I recounted | Verb, Piel, perfect first person common singular |
| וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי | and you answered me | Verb qal sequential imperfect second person masculine singular, suffix |
| לַמְּדֵ֥נִי | teach me | Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | decrees your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. |
| KJV | I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. |
| ASV | I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: Teach me thy statutes. |
| YLT | My ways I have recounted, And Thou answerest me, teach me Thy statutes, |
| WEB | I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. |
| BBE | I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, focusing on the psalmist's reflection and request for guidance.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a conjunction and an imperative, showing a clear progression from reflection to response and request.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbסָפַר
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 119:26
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 Wordgenerated
Psalm 119:26 is a prayer where the psalmist recounts his actions and seeks God's response and guidance. This verse emphasizes the relationship between self-reflection and divine instruction, highlighting the importance of understanding God's statutes in the context of one's life journey. The surrounding verses further illustrate a deep yearning for revival and clarity through God's word.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:106 | I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments. |
| 2 | Psalm 32:5 | Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah |
| 3 | Psalm 38:18 | Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. |
| 4 | Psalm 51:1–19 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. |
| 5 | Proverbs 28:13 | He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דְּרָכַ֣י, de.ra.Khaigenerated
The word דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey. It can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. The psalmist's use of this term indicates a reflection on his moral and spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of one's conduct.
In this verse, דְּרָכַי is in the plural construct form, indicating multiple aspects of the psalmist's ways or paths. This suggests a broader reflection on various choices and their implications, inviting God's guidance on each.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as well as the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE, all agreeing on the essential meaning of the psalmist recounting his ways and seeking God's teaching.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb סִ֭פַּרְתִּי, I recounted, governs the entire verse, with two clauses following: one describing the psalmist's action and the other a request for teaching. The structure emphasizes the sequence of recounting and responding.
The first clause presents the psalmist's action of recounting, while the second clause includes a direct address to God, illustrating a dialogue between the psalmist and the divine.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb סִ֭פַּרְתִּי is translated as ἐχήγγειλα, meaning 'I declared' or 'I announced'. This choice indicates a more public or formal aspect of recounting, suggesting that the psalmist's reflection is not merely personal but also intended for a broader audience.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text while providing a slightly different nuance in the act of recounting, emphasizing the act of declaration.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:26 expresses the psalmist's reflection on his actions and his desire for God's guidance. He recounts his ways and seeks to learn God's laws, highlighting the importance of divine instruction in shaping one's path.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to his actions, choices, and moral conduct, reflecting on how these align with God's statutes.
Recounting his ways allows the psalmist to reflect on his life choices and seek God's guidance for improvement and understanding.
God's statutes refer to His laws and decrees, which guide the moral and ethical conduct of His people.
The verse emphasizes the importance of divine instruction, showcasing a recurring biblical theme where individuals seek God's guidance to understand His will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I reflect on my own actions and seek God's guidance?
- How can understanding God's statutes influence my daily decisions?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am following the right path in life?
- How does the act of recounting my experiences help me grow spiritually?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, reference this verse to discuss the importance of acknowledging one's ways in relation to God's response.
For what he was by himself, he confesses in the following words: "I have acknowledged my ways, and You heard me" [Psalms 119:26].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI have declared my ways,.... That is, to the Lord; either the ways he had chose and desired to walk in, and not wander from, and therefore entreated help and assistance, guidance and direction, in
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me - namely, in my prayer under affliction (Psalms 118:5; Psalms 118:21).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMy ways; my sins, in way of confession; and all my cares, and fears, and troubles, and concerns, in way of humble petition to thee, as appears from God’ s answer.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.Ver. 26. I have declared my ways] My sins and troubles; those thou hast remitted, and these thou hast remedied. Teach me thy statutes] Show me how I may walk worthy of such a love; and live up to my mercies.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) I have declared.—Or, recounted.My ways.—Or, as we should say, my courses, my past life, including, as the context shows, confession of sins and prayer for pardon.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. I have declared my ways] ספרתי sipparti, "I have numbered my ways," I have searched them out; I have investigated them. And that he had earnestly prayed for pardon of what was wrong in them, is evident; for he adds, "Thou heardest me."
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. I have recounted my ways, laid before Thee in detail all the concerns of my life, and thou hast answered me. Answered prayer is a proof of God’s good will, and therefore he prays for yet further instruction, teach me thy statutes.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI have declared my ways - That is, I have declared or recounted them to thee. I have made mention of my cares, troubles, anxieties, purposes. I have laid them all before thee, reserving or keeping back nothing.
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
I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
I told you about my ways and you answered me. Teach me your statutes!
Tyndale line
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: Teach me thy statutes.
I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me: teach me thy statutes.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
I haue declared my waies, and thou heardest me: teache me thy statutes.
Strictly literal
I have declared my ways, and thou hast answered me: teach me thy statutes.
My ways I have recounted, And Thou answerest me, teach me Thy statutes,
I have recounted my ways, || And You answer me, teach me Your statutes,
My ways do I relate [to thee], and thou answerest me: teach me thy statutes.
I told you my ways, and you answered me; teach me your statutes.
Simplified
I explained my situation to you, and you answered me. Teach me to follow your directions.
I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules.
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, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration, but the core message remains consistent with the Masoretic Text.
דְּרָכַ֣י סִ֭פַּרְתִּי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
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.
דרכ׳י ספרתי ותענ׳ני [למד׳ני] חוקי׳כה
2 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 1 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 119:26
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.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: road/route
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
1a) road, way, path
1b) journey
1c) direction
1d) manner, habit, way
1e) of course of life (fig.)
1f) of moral character (fig.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
N-cp | Suff — Noun common both plural construct · suffixHNcbpc/Sp1bs
סָפַר (safar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count or recount, with various forms indicating actions like declaring or rehearsing. The noun form סֹפֵר (sofer) refers to a scribe or secretary. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enumeration and record-keeping, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
סָפַר 107 vb. count, Pi. recount, relate
Qal 27
count things, to learn their number
number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
Niph. be counted, numbered
Pi. 67 recount, rehearse, declare
Pu. be recounted, related, rehearsed
base
סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר n.m. enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
base
H5608a סָפַר count, Pi. recount, relate .. count things, to learn their number
. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
. be counted, numbered
. recount, rehearse, declare
. be recounted, related, rehearsed
H5608b סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
5608 caphar saw-far'
a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally
or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to
enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:--commune,
(ac-)count; declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew
forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
סָפַר (sa.phar) — to recount.
v
1) to count, recount, relate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to count (things)
1a2) to number, take account of, reckon
1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered
1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare
1c1) to recount (something), rehearse
1c2) to talk
1c3) to count exactly or accurately
1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
סֹפֵר (so.pher) — secretary.
1) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
1a) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary
1b) learned man, scribe
Aramaic equivalent: sa.pher (סָפִר "scribe" H5613)
V-Piel-Perf-1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singularHVpp1cs
The Hebrew word עָנָה (*anah*) is built from a primitive root meaning to heed or pay attention, covering a range of meanings including to answer, respond, testify, and sing. It appears in contexts where one responds to speech or circumstances, and can also refer to singing. The lexicons indicate that it can imply both verbal responses and musical expression.
[עוּן] vb. dwell
base
עָנָה 316 vb. answer, respond
Qal
answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
money meets all demands
specif. respond as a witness, testify
less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
Niph.
make answer
be answered
Hiph. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
base
עָנָה vb. sing
Qal sing, utter tunefully
Pi. sing sweetly of it
base
H6030a עוּן dwell H6030b עָנָה answer, respond .. answer, respond to sthg. said, actual or implied
. . respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances
. money meets all demands
. . specif. respond as a witness, testify
. less oft. make response as one accused (respondent)
. . make answer
. be answered
. wholly dub.; causes all things to respond in the joy of his heart
H6030c עָנָה sing
6030 `anah aw-naw'
a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed,
i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extens. to
begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify,
announce:--give account, afflict (by mistake for 6031),
(cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for 6031), cry,
hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing
(together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.
See also 1042, 1043.
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 06031
see HEBREW for 01042
see HEBREW for 01043
עוּן (un) — to dwell.
(Qal) to dwell
עָנָה (a.nah) — to answer.
1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to answer, respond to
1a2) to testify, respond as a witness
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to make answer
1b2) to be answered, receive answer
Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032)
עָנָה (a.nah) — to sing.
(Qal) to sing, utter tunefully
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms | Suff — Verb qal sequential imperfect second person masculine singular · suffixHc/Vqw2ms/Sp1bs
לָמַד (lamad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to learn or teach. It encompasses the ideas of exercising in a skill, being trained, and instructing others. The root suggests a connection to motivation or incentive, as seen in the context of teaching with a rod. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to learn), Piel (to teach), and Pual (to be taught).
לָמַד vb. exercise in, learn
Qal learn something
Piel teach
Pual trained; taught
base
H3925 לָמַד exercise in, learn .learn something
.teach
.trained; taught
3925 lamad law-mad'
a primitive root; properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to
teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive):(un-) accustomed,
X diligently, expert, instruct, learn, skilful, teach(-er, -
ing).
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: teach.
: teach
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
Also means: la.mad (לָמַד ": learn" H3925H)
לָמַד (la.mad) — to learn: learn.
: learn
1) to learn. teach, exercise in
1a) (Qal) to learn
1b) (Piel) to teach
1c) (Pual) to be taught, be trained
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVpv2ms/Sp1bs
חֹק (choq) refers to something prescribed, such as a statute, ordinance, or limit. It encompasses a range of meanings, including prescribed tasks, portions, and decrees, whether from God or man. The plural form, חֻקִּים, denotes multiple enactments or statutes. The entries consistently emphasize its legal and prescriptive nature.
חֹק 127 n.m. something prescribed, a statute or due
prescribed task
prescribed-portion or allowance of food
action prescribed for oneself, resolve
prescribed due of the priest from offerings
prescribed limit, boundary
enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man
pl. חֻקִּים enactments, statutes of a law
base
H2706 חֹק something prescribed, a statute or due . prescribed task
. prescribed-portion or allowance of food
. action prescribed for oneself, resolve
. prescribed due of the priest from offerings
. prescribed limit, boundary
. enactment, decree, ordinance of either God or man
. pl. חֻקִּים enactments, statutes of a law
2706 choq khoke
from 2710; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time,
space, quantity, labor or usage):--appointed, bound,
commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law,
measure, X necessary, ordinance(- nary), portion, set time,
statute, task.
see HEBREW for 02710
חֹק (choq) — statute: decree.
: decree
1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due
1a) prescribed task
1b) prescribed portion
1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve
1d) prescribed due
1e) prescribed limit, boundary
1f) enactment, decree, ordinance
1f1) specific decree
1f2) law in general
1g) enactments, statutes
1g1) conditions
1g2) enactments
1g3) decrees
1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God
חֹק (choq) — statute: portion.
: portion
1) statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed, due
1a) prescribed task
1b) prescribed portion
1c) action prescribed (for oneself), resolve
1d) prescribed due
1e) prescribed limit, boundary
1f) enactment, decree, ordinance
1f1) specific decree
1f2) law in general
1g) enactments, statutes
1g1) conditions
1g2) enactments
1g3) decrees
1g4) civil enactments prescribed by God
חֹק (choq) — statute: allotment.
: allotment/boundary
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms