Psalms 119:30 — Word Study
WLCדֶּֽרֶךְ־ אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃
BSAI have chosenbâchar■ [selected, decided to follow] the wayderek [path, journey] of truthʼĕmûwnâh [faithfulness, loyalty] I have setshâvâh■ [laid, placed] Your ordinances {before me}mishpâṭ [judgments, decrees, in my sight, as my guide]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דֶּֽרֶךְ־ | a way of | Noun common, both singular construct |
| אֱמוּנָ֥ה | faithfulness | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| בָחָ֑רְתִּי | I have chosen | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ | judgments your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃ | I have placed | Verb, Piel, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me. |
| KJV | I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. |
| ASV | I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set before me. |
| YLT | The way of faithfulness I have chosen, Thy judgments I have compared, |
| WEB | I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me. |
| BBE | I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before me. |
Where they part company is in the nuances of certain words — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of two main clauses, each expressing the psalmist's actions regarding truth and God's ordinances.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּחַר
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 119:30
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 Commitment to God's Pathgenerated
Psalm 119:30 expresses a deliberate choice to follow the way of truth, contrasting with the previous verse's plea to be removed from deceit. The psalmist emphasizes the importance of God's ordinances as a guiding principle in life, reflecting a deep commitment to living according to divine standards. This theme of choosing the right path resonates throughout the psalm, as seen in the surrounding verses that highlight the significance of God's laws and testimonies.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:29–111 | Remove me from the path of deceit and graciously grant me Your law. |
| 2 | Joshua 24:15 | But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:29 | For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. |
| 4 | Luke 10:42 | But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” |
| 5 | John 3:19–21 | And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָחָ֑רְתִּי, va.Cha.re.tigenerated
The verb בָּחַר (bachar) means to choose or select, indicating an active decision-making process. It conveys the idea of examining options and making a deliberate choice, often in a spiritual or moral context.
In this verse, the psalmist expresses a personal commitment to choosing the path of truth, suggesting a strong desire to align one's life with God's will. This choice reflects a broader theme of fidelity and loyalty to God's guidance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the key elements of the verse, with all versions affirming the psalmist's choice of the way of truth and the setting of God's ordinances before him.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around two finite verbs: בָחָ֑רְתִּי (I have chosen) and שִׁוִּֽיתִי (I have placed), each governing their respective phrases. The first verb introduces the choice of the way of truth, while the second verb describes the action of setting God's ordinances before oneself.
This construction emphasizes the psalmist's active role in choosing a path and aligning with divine guidance, highlighting the importance of intention and commitment in one's spiritual journey.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דֶּרֶךְ as ὁδὸν (hodos), which means 'way' or 'road', reflecting a similar understanding of a path or journey. This choice indicates a continuity in the concept of following a moral or spiritual direction.
The word אֱמוּנָה is rendered as ἀληθείας (alētheias), meaning 'truth', which reinforces the notion of faithfulness as a commitment to truthfulness in one's life.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:30 shows the psalmist's determination to choose the way of truth and to keep God's ordinances as a guide. This reflects a commitment to living according to God's laws, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and moral integrity.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Choosing the way of truth involves making a conscious decision to follow God's guidance and live according to His principles, as opposed to following deceit or falsehood.
Setting God's ordinances before you means actively considering His laws and teachings in your daily decisions and actions, using them as a guide for your life.
Faithfulness is crucial as it reflects a steadfast commitment to truth and loyalty to God's commands, which shapes one's character and moral choices.
Aligning with God's judgments implies living in accordance with His standards, which brings about justice, righteousness, and a sense of purpose in one's life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I actively choose the path of truth in my daily life?
- How can I better understand and apply God's ordinances as a guide in my decisions?
- What does faithfulness look like in my relationships and commitments?
- How can I encourage others to choose the way of truth and set God's judgments before them?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, emphasizing the importance of truth and the role of God's judgments in guiding a faithful life.
He who loves truth, and never utters a false word with his mouth, may say, “I have chosen the way of truth.” Moreover, he who always sets the judgments of God before his eyes, and remembers them in every action, will say,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
But after he had said, "And pity me according to Your law;" he mentions some of those blessings which he has already obtained, that he may ask others that he has not yet gained.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:30 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI have chosen the way of truth,.... Christ, who is the way and the truth, the true way to God and to eternal happiness; and to choose him is to choose the good part, which shall never be taken away;
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I laid (before me) - I have laid them down as the rule of my conduct.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI have chosen the way of truth, to wit, thy word or law, for my portion, and the rule of my worship and whole life. Laid before me; or, set before me, as the phrase is fully expressed, , as a delightful object, or as a mark to aim at, or as a rule to direct me.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid [before me].Ver. 30. I have chosen the way of truth] I am fully bent against lying, and am resolved to speak truth; though I have done otherwise sometimes, through frailty. Thy judgments have I laid before me] Thereby to fright my conscience, that I might not so much as equivocate. Some render it iudicia tua aequiperavi, I have kept pace with thy judgments, sc. in the bent and bias of my heart at least.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 30. I have chosen the way of truth] And that I may continue in its "remove from me the way of lying." See above.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25–32. Daleth. In the midst of humiliation and trial the Psalmist protests the sincerity of his purpose, and prays for deepened knowledge to keep him true and steadfast.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI have chosen the way of truth - Among all the paths of life I have selected this. I prefer this. I desire to walk in this.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleã, Daleth.25-32. My soul cleaveth unto the dust—Now is presented a soul in deep affliction, as if the trial in the previous division had gone against him; as if he had suffered the loss of all things, and worse was yet to follow.
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 have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
I choose the path of faithfulness; I am committed to your regulations.
Tyndale line
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set before me.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness: thy judgments have I set before me.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me .
I haue chosen the way of trueth, and thy iudgements haue I laied before me.
Strictly literal
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; thy judgments have I set [before me].
The way of faithfulness I have chosen, Thy judgments I have compared,
I have chosen the way of faithfulness, || I have compared Your judgments,
The way of truth have I chosen: thy ordinances have I set [before me].
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have always kept your righteous decrees before me.
Simplified
I have chosen to trust in you. I always pay attention to what you say.
I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before 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 reads, "דֶּֽרֶךְ־ אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי," which translates to "I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me." The Septuagint corresponds closely with the Masoretic Text, matching 4 of the 5 words, although its word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q10) also reflect similar content, with the phrase partly restored and some words supplied by an editor, indicating agreement with the Masoretic Text. Overall, the primary witnesses, including the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls, largely align with the Masoretic Text in meaning, though there are minor variations in presentation and completeness.
דֶּֽרֶךְ־ אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃
4 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.
[דרך] [אמונה] [בחרתי] [משפטי׳ך] שויתי
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 4 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 119:30
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-cs — Noun common · both singular constructHNcbsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה (*emuwnah*) is built from the root of H529, indicating concepts of firmness and steadfastness. It encompasses meanings such as fidelity, trust, and stability. The entries consistently highlight its moral implications, particularly in relation to faithfulness.
אֱמוּנָה n.f. firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
lit. firmness, steadiness
steadfastness
faithfulness, trust
base
H530 אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity . lit. firmness, steadiness
. steadfastness
. faithfulness, trust
530 'emuwnah em-oo-naw'); or (shortened) >emunah {em-oo-naw'
feminine of 529; literally firmness; figuratively security;
morally fidelity:--faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set
office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily.
see HEBREW for 0529
אֱמוּנָה (e.mu.nah) — faithfulness.
firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
An infinite attribute of Jehovah; adapted to make perfect both the confidence of those who believe his word and rely on his promises, and the despair of those who doubt his word and defy his threatenings, De 28:26 Nu 23:19 Ps 89:33-34 Heb 10:23.
→ EXHORTATION TO Ps 12:1; 31:23; Pr 20:6; 28:20; Mt 10:22; 24:45-47; 25:14-23; Lu 12:42-44; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; 1Co 4:2; Re 2:10
See OBEDIENCE, EXHORTATION TO
See PERSEVERANCE
See MINISTERS, FAITHFUL
See REPROOF, FAITHFULNESS IN
→ INSTANCES OF
Abraham Ga 3:9
Moses Heb 3:5
David 2Sa 22:22-25
Elijah 1Ki 19:10,14
בָּחַר (bachar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to choose or select. It encompasses actions like examining and trying, indicating both divine and human choices. The word can appear in various forms, such as being chosen or selected. It is used in contexts of making decisions, often with specific prepositions indicating the nature of the choice.
בָּחַר vb. choose
Qal
with בְּ,
divine choice
man’s choice
with אֲשֶׁר:
divine choice
man’s choice
with acc. & לְ, choose some one or something for
with acc. and מִן, choose, select from
acc.
divine choice
man’s choice
with עַל, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction
with לְ of acc. chosen
test, try
Niph. to be chosen
Pu. chosen, selected
base
H977 בָּחַר examine, try .. examine, scrutinize, try
. prove, test, try
. to be tried, proved
. the trial has been made
977 bachar baw-khar'
a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication)
select:--acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent,
join, be rather, require.
בָּחַר (ba.char) — to choose.
1) to choose, elect, decide for
1a) (Qal) to choose
1b) (Niphal) to be chosen
1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
cho'-z'-n.
See CHOOSE.
Chosen
Spoken of warriors (Ex. 15:4; Judg. 20:16), of the Hebrew nation (Ps. 105:43; Deut. 7:7), of Jerusalem as the seat of the temple (1 Kings 11:13). Christ is the “chosen” of God (Isa. 42:1); and the apostles are “chosen” for their work (Acts 10:41). It is said with regard to those who do not profit by their opportunities that “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 20:16). (See ELECTION.)
The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.
מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment
judgment
justice, right, rectitude
ordinance
decision
one's (legal) right, privilege, due
proper, fitting, measure
custom, manner
what manner of
plan
base
H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment
. justice, right, rectitude
. ordinance
. decision
. one's (legal) right, privilege, due
. . proper, fitting, measure
. custom, manner
. what manner of
. plan
4941 mishpat mish-pawt'
from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree
(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or
collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the
crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a
participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or
even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,
custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,
fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),
(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,
ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
see HEBREW for 08199
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)
1c) ordinance
1d) decision (in law)
1e) right, privilege, due (legal)
1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
שָׁוָה (shavah) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of being even or smooth, and extends to meanings like agreeing, resembling, or making something like another. It is built from a primitive root and covers a range of uses, including to level, set, or adjust. The entries indicate various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hiphil, which express different nuances of the verb.
שָׁוָה vb. (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble
Qal it was not equalled to me, i.e. not requited
Pi. he hath levelled
Hiph. make like
Nithp. (appar.) are alike
base
[שָׁוָה] vb. Pi. set, place
base
H7737a שָׁוָה (be even, smooth, v. Pi., hence) agree with, be like, resemble . make like
. (appar.) are alike
H7737b שָׁוָה Pi. set, place
7737 shavah shaw-vaw'
a primitive root; properly, to level, i.e. equalize;
figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e.
counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield,
etc.):--avail, behave, bring forth, compare, countervail,
(be, make) equal, lay, be (make, a- )like, make plain, profit,
reckon.
שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — be like.
1) to agree with, be or become like, level, resemble
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be like
1a2) equivalent (participle)
1a3) to set, place
1a4) setting (participle)
1b) (Piel) to level, smooth, still
1c) (Hiphil) to make like
1d) (Nithpael) to be alike
Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be like" H7739A)
שָׁוָה (sha.vah) — to set.
(Piel) to set, place
Aramaic equivalent: she.vah (שְׁוָה "be set" H7739B)
V-Piel-Perf-1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singularHVpp1cs