Psalms 119:38 — Word Study
WLCהָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃
BSAEstablishqûwm [fulfill, confirm, give effect to] Your wordʼimrâh [promise, saying, divine Expression] to Your servantʻebed [slave, one who serves, devoted one] to produceʼăsher [result in, bring about] reverence for Youyirʼâh [fear, respect, awe, in the heart of the one who serves, with the purpose of worship]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הָקֵ֣ם | fulfill | Verb, Hiphil, imperative second person masculine singular |
| לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ | to servant your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ | word your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר | which | Particle |
| לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃ | [is] for fear your | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You. |
| KJV | Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. |
| ASV | Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee. |
| YLT | Establish to Thy servant Thy saying, That [is] concerning Thy fear. |
| WEB | Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared. |
| BBE | Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of 'to produce' — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with supporting phrases that clarify the subject and the intended outcome.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbקוּם
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 119:38
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Guidancegenerated
Psalm 119:38 is a plea from the psalmist for God to fulfill His promises, ensuring that His servant may live in reverence and awe of Him. This verse is situated within a larger meditation on the importance of God's word, as seen in previous verses that express a longing for divine instruction and revival through His teachings.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:49 | Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope. |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 7:25–29 | And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised, |
| 3 | 2 Corinthians 1:20 | For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God. |
| 4 | Psalm 103:11–13 | For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. |
| 5 | Psalm 145:19 | He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הָקֵ֣ם, ha.Kemgenerated
The verb קוּם (qum) is a Hiphil imperative, meaning 'to establish' or 'to fulfill.' It implies an action of bringing something into reality or making it stand firm. The psalmist is asking God to actively confirm His promises to him.
This word carries a sense of urgency and importance, indicating that the psalmist seeks not just any word, but a divine assurance that will lead to a transformation in his heart and life.
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.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb הָקֵ֣ם governs the entire verse, with a prepositional phrase indicating to whom the word is addressed, followed by a noun phrase that specifies the word itself, and concluding with a clause that describes the intended outcome. The structure emphasizes the action of establishing God's word as central to the psalmist's request.
The order of the Hebrew words places focus on the imperative action first, highlighting the psalmist's urgent request for God's intervention.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הָקֵ֣ם as στῆσον, which also means 'to set' or 'to establish.' This choice reflects a similar intention to convey the act of bringing God's word into effect.
The use of the same verb in both texts indicates a consistent understanding of the psalmist's plea across Hebrew and Greek traditions.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:38 is a request for God to establish His word to His servant, leading to a deep reverence for Him. This reflects the psalmist's desire for guidance and a strong relationship with God through His promises.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To establish God's word means to fulfill His promises and make them a reality in the life of the believer, leading to a deeper reverence and commitment to Him.
Reverence is important as it reflects the proper attitude of the servant towards God, recognizing His authority and holiness.
This verse encapsulates the theme of Psalm 119, which emphasizes the significance of God's word in guiding and transforming the believer's life.
Referring to God as 'Your servant' indicates a humble position of submission and dedication to God's will and purpose.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's promises established in my life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper reverence for God through His word?
- What steps can I take to ensure I am living as a devoted servant of God?
- How does understanding God's word impact my relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers, like Augustine of Hippo, have commented on this verse, emphasizing the importance of establishing God's word in the believer's life to foster reverence.
"O establish Your word in Your servant, that I may fear You" [Psalms 119:38].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:38 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleStablish thy word unto thy servant,.... Either God's word of promise, which never fails, is firm and stable in Christ; and the sense is, that God would assure him of the fulfilment of it, and give
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryStablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Stablish thy word unto thy servants, who is devoted to thy fear - or, 'thy Word which belongs to thy fearers;' namely, to them who fear thee (Hengstenberg).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleConfirm and perform thy promises, as concerning the kingdom, so also for the giving of gracious assistances, directions and comforts to those that fear thee, of which number I am one.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who [is devoted] to thy fear.Ver. 38. Stablish thy word unto thy servant] i.e. Make good thy promise; we must by our prayers put the promises of God in suit, and God will perform them. Who is devoted to thy fear] And so am an heir of the promises. Or, which (word) is (given) for the fear of thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(38) Who is devoted to thy fear.—This is an improbable explanation of this elliptical expression. There are two renderings, each in accordance with the general drift of the psalm: (1) Stablish to Thy servant Thy word, which leads to fear of Thee; or, more likely, (2) Stablish to Thy servant Thy promise which is to those who fear Thee, as apparently the LXX.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 38. Stablish thy word] Fulfil the promises thou hast made to me.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges38. who is devoted to thy fear] This rendering is retained in R.V. marg., but the order of the words is in favour of rendering Confirm unto thy servant thy promise Which belongeth to the fear of thee, or, Which maketh for the fear of thee. Perform for me the promises made to those who fear Thee: or, which aim at promoting and encouraging reverence for Thee. Cp. Psalms 130:4.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleStablish thy word unto thy servant - Confirm it; make it seem firm and true; let not my mind be vacillating or skeptical in regard to thy truth.
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
Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.
Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.
Confirm to your servant your promise, which you made to the one who honors you.
Tyndale line
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which is in order unto the fear of thee.
Confirm thy word unto thy servant, which belongeth unto the fear of thee.
Establish thy word to thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Stablish thy promise to thy seruaunt, because he feareth thee.
Strictly literal
Establish thy *word unto thy servant, who is [devoted] to thy fear.
Establish to Thy servant Thy saying, That [is] concerning Thy fear.
Establish Your saying to Your servant, || That [is] concerning Your fear.
Fulfill unto thy servant thy promise for those who are devoted to thy fear.
Carry out for your servant your promise that you made to those who honor you.
Simplified
Please keep your promise to me, your servant, that you made to those who worship you.
Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you.
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 matches closely with the Septuagint, with four out of five words corresponding directly. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of this verse across different ancient manuscripts.
הָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃
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.
הקם לעבד׳ך אמרת׳ך אשר ליראת׳ך
5 words on the leather.
הקם לעבד׳כה אמרת׳כה אשר ליראת׳כה
5 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:38
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 קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperative second person masculine singularHVhv2ms
The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.
עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant
slave, servant of household
Subjects, of chief
Servants, worshippers of God
Servant of י׳, in a special sense
Israel as a people is servant of י׳
In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
Phrases
base
H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household
. Subjects, of chief
. Servants, worshippers of God
. Servant of י׳, in a special sense
. Israel as a people is servant of י׳
. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
. Phrases
5650 `ebed eh'-bed
from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,
(man-)servant.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.
1) slave, servant
1a) slave, servant, man-servant
1b) subjects
1c) servants, worshippers (of God)
1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
1e) servant (of Israel)
1f) servant (as form of address between equals)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.
אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.
base
בַאֲשֶׁר
in (that) which
adv. in (the place) where
conj. in that, inasmuch as
on account of whom?
base
מֵאֲשֶׁר
from (or than) that which
adv. from (the place) where
conj. from (the fact) that …, since
base
כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when
according to that which, according as, as
with a causal force, in so far as, since
with a temporal force, when
base
H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which
. adv. in (the place) where
. conj. in that, inasmuch as
. on account of whom?
H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which
. adv. from (the place) where
. conj. from (the fact) that …, since
H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as
. with a causal force, in so far as, since
. with a temporal force, when
834 'aher ash-er'
a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)
when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X
alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +
from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,
wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where
(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +
whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is
indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun
expletively, used to show the connection.
אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.
A: 1) (relative part.)
1a) which, who
1b) that which
2) (conj)
2a) that (in obj clause)
2b) when
2c) since
2d) as
2e) conditional if
B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
D: Kaph+
1) (conj.), according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since
1c) with a temporal force: when
בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.
1) in (that) which
2) (adv)
2a) where
3) (conj)
3a) in that, inasmuch as
3b) on account of
מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.
1) from (or than) that which
2) from (the place) where
3) from (the fact) that, since
כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.
conj
1) according as, as, when
1a) according to that which, according as, as
Rel — ParticleHTr
יִרְאָה (yir'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'fear' or 'terror,' encompassing both the emotion and the concept of reverence, particularly in relation to God. It can denote an object that causes fear or the respect and piety associated with divine authority. The entries highlight its moral and emotional dimensions without significant disagreement.
יִרְאָה n.f. fear
fear, terror
a terror = obj. of terror
fear of God, reverence, piety
the fear of י׳ the law as revered.
base
H3374 יִרְאָה fear
3374 yir'ah yir-aw'
feminine of 3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally,
reverence:--X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear(-fulness).
see HEBREW for 03373
יִרְאָה (yir.ah) — fear.
1) fear, terror, fearing
1a) fear, terror
1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
1d) revered
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp2ms