Psalms 119:6 — Word Study
WLCאָ֥ז לֹא־ אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־ כָּל־ מִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
BSAThenʼâz [at that time, in the past] I would notlôʼ [never, under no circumstances] be ashamedbûwsh▸ [disgraced, put to shame, feel guilt or disappointment] when I considernâbaṭ [look, regard, have respect for] allkôl [every, the entirety of] Your commandmentsmitsvâh [belonging to You, God's, laws, teachings, divine instructions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אָ֥ז | then | Adverb |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| אֵב֑וֹשׁ | I will be ashamed | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common singular |
| בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י | when look I | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common, suffix |
| אֶל־ | to | Preposition |
| כָּל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| מִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | commandments your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments. |
| KJV | Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. |
| ASV | Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments. |
| YLT | Then I am not ashamed In my looking unto all Thy commands. |
| WEB | Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments. |
| BBE | Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching. |
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, focusing on the theme of shame and God's commandments.
The main clause expresses the psalmist's confidence, supported by a subordinate clause detailing the condition under which this confidence exists.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבּוֹשׁ
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 119:6
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 Commandmentsgenerated
Psalm 119:6 reflects the psalmist's desire to align his life with God's commandments. This verse emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting God's laws, which leads to a life without shame. The surrounding verses also express a longing for commitment to God's statutes and a heart that praises Him for His righteous judgments.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:31–80 | I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame. |
| 2 | Job 22:26 | Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. |
| 3 | Daniel 12:2–3 | And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. |
| 4 | 1 John 2:28 | And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. |
| 5 | 1 John 3:20–21 | Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵב֑וֹשׁ, 'e.Vo.oshgenerated
The verb בּוֹשׁ (buwsh) means 'to be ashamed.' It conveys feelings of guilt or disappointment, suggesting a strong emotional response to failure or wrongdoing. In this verse, the psalmist uses it in the first person imperfect form, indicating a future state of not experiencing shame when reflecting on God's commandments.
This word captures the essence of the psalmist's confidence in God's laws. By committing to follow these commandments, the psalmist believes he will avoid the feelings of disgrace associated with disobedience.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we look at the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses ashamed.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around the finite verb אֵב֑וֹשׁ, I will be ashamed, which is modified by the adverbial clauses אָ֥ז and בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י. The first clause indicates the condition under which the psalmist will not feel shame, while the second clause specifies the action of looking towards God's commandments.
The Hebrew word order emphasizes the key action of looking at God's commandments, which is central to the psalmist's confidence in avoiding shame.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אָ֥ז as τότε, meaning 'then', indicating a moment in time. This choice aligns with the Hebrew sense of a past condition.
For אֵב֑וֹשׁ, the LXX uses ἐπαισξυνθῶ, also meaning 'I will be ashamed'. This reflects a direct correspondence with the Hebrew, maintaining the emotional context of the verse.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:6 expresses the psalmist's confidence that he will not feel shame when he looks at all of God's commandments. This verse emphasizes the importance of following God's laws and the peace that comes from doing so.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that by following and respecting God's laws, one can live without the guilt or disappointment that comes from disobedience.
By committing to understand and follow God's commandments, you can cultivate a sense of confidence and peace.
God's commandments can be found throughout the Bible, including moral laws, teachings, and instructions for living a righteous life.
Considering God's commandments helps guide our actions and decisions, leading to a life aligned with His will.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to commit more fully to God's commandments?
- How can reflecting on God's laws help me avoid feelings of shame?
- What steps can I take to better understand and respect God's commandments?
- How do I respond when I feel ashamed about my actions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse is referenced by early church fathers, including Augustine of Hippo, who discusses the significance of respecting God's commandments.
"So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all Your commandments" [Psalms 119:6].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThen shall I not be ashamed,.... Of hope in God, of a profession of faith in him, and of a conversation agreeable to it before men; nor of appearing before God in his house, worshipping him there;
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThen shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThen shall I not be ashamed; either of my actions, or of my profession of religion, or of my hope and confidence in thy favour. When sinners shall be ashamed both here, , and hereafter, , I, having the conscience of mine own integrity, shall lift up my head with courage and boldness, both before men, when they either accuse or persecute me, and before God in the day of judgment, as it is said, . Respect; a due and true respect, which implies high valuation, hearty affection, diligent study, and common practice. Unto all thy commandments; so as not to be partial in my obedience, not to allow myself in the practice of any known sin, or in the neglect of any known duty.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.Ver. 6. Then shall I not be ashamed] i.e. I shall be highly honoured both by thee and all thy people; able to look thee and them in the face, free from an evil conscience. When I have respect unto all thy commandments] Mine obedience being universal both for subjects and objects: this is a sure sign of sincerity, such as entitleth a man to true blessedness, Psalms 119:1. A hypocrite is funambulus virtutum, as Tertullian phraseth it; he hath a dispensatory conscience; his obedience is partial, and such as goeth in a narrow track; it extendeth not to the compass of the whole law, and is therefore lost…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) Have respect unto.—Literally, look upon, or into, as in a mirror. (Comp. James 1:23.) The Divine Law is as a mirror, which shows man his defects; the faithful, in looking in it, have no cause to blush. Judgments.—Not here in common sense of visitations for sin, but only one of the change of synonyms for law. (See this use in Exodus 21:1; Exodus 24:3, &c.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. Then shall I not be ashamed] Every act of transgression in the wicked man tends to harden his heart; and render it callous. If a man who fears God is so unhappy as to fall into sin, his conscience reproaches him, and he is ashamed before God and man. This is a full proof that God's Spirit has not utterly departed from him, and that he may repent, believe and be healed. Unto all thy commandments.] God requires universal obedience, and all things are possible to him whom Christ strengthens; and all things are possible to him that believes. Allow that any of God's commandments may be transgressed, and we shall soon have the whole decalogue set aside.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. Then points back to Psalms 119:5, and is further explained in 6 b: then … namely, when I &c. No real disgrace or disappointment can befall him whose single aim is the observance of God’s law in all its parts.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThen shall I not be ashamed - On the word ashamed, see Job 6:20, note; Psalms 25:2-3, note. The meaning here is, that he would not have occasion to be ashamed; he would not be disappointed; all his hopes would be realized.
Read Albert Barnes 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
Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
Then I would not be ashamed, if I were focused on all your commands.
Tyndale line
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Then shall I not be put to shame, When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all thy commandments.
Then should I not be confounded, when I haue respect vnto all thy commandements.
Strictly literal
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Then I am not ashamed In my looking unto all Thy commands.
Then I am not ashamed || In my looking to all Your commands.
Then would I not be made ashamed, while I look at all thy commandments.
Then I would not be put to shame when I think of all your commandments.
From the Latin
My soul hath been long a sojourner.
Simplified
Then I won't be ashamed when I compare what I do to what you have said.
Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
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 אָ֥ז לֹא־ אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־ כָּל־ מִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃, while the Septuagint matches it word-for-word. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but agree in essence with the Masoretic Text.
אָ֥ז לֹא־ אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־ כָּל־ מִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃
7 of the 7 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.
אז לא [אבוש] [בהביט׳י] [אל] כל מצוותי׳כה
2 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 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 119:6
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.
אָז (az) is a demonstrative adverb meaning 'at that time' or 'then,' used for both temporal and logical expressions. It can refer to past events or indicate a condition for future actions. The related form מֵאָז (me.az) means 'from that time' or 'since.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts without significant disagreement.
אָז adv. at that time, then whether expressing duration, or inception (= thereupon).
strictly temporal
expressing logical sequence strictly
base
מֵאָז lit. from that time
base
H227a אָז at that time, then H227b מֵאָז, once
227 'az awz
a demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a
conjunction, therefore:--beginning, for, from, hitherto, now,
of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet.
אָז (az) — then.
1) then, at that time
1a) temporal expressions
1a1) then (past)
1a2) then, if...then (future)
1a3) earlier
1b) logical expressions
1b1) in that case
1b2) that (being so)
מֵאָז (me.az) — the past.
1) in time past, of old
2)from time of, since
Adv — AdverbHD
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
בּוֹשׁ (buwsh) is a Hebrew root meaning 'to be ashamed.' It encompasses feelings of shame, disappointment, and disconcertion. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to feel shame), Piel (to delay in shame), and Hiphil (to put to shame). The entries indicate a range of uses, from personal feelings of shame to actions that cause shame to others.
בּוֹשׁ 109 vb. be ashamed
Qal
abs. feel shame
sq. מִן, be ashamed of, i.e. disconcerted, disappointed by reason of
with obj. I am ashamed to ask
Polel delay (in shame)
Hiph.
put to shame
put to shame
act shamefully
to be put to shame
be ashamed
Hithp. ashamed before one another
base
H954 בּוֹשׁ be ashamed
954 buwsh boosh
a primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to
be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or
delayed:--(be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with,
a-)shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry,
delay, be long.
בּוֹשׁ (bush) — be ashamed.
1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to feel shame
1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of)
1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to put to shame
1c2) to act shamefully
1c3) to be ashamed
1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singularHVqi1cs
a-shamd': Almost exclusively moral in significance; confusion or abashment through consciousness of guilt or of its exposure. Often including also a sense of terror or fear because of the disgrace connected with the performance of some action. Capacity for shame indicates that moral sense (conscience) is not extinct. "Ashamed" occurs 96 out of 118 times in the Old Testament. Hebrew bosh, "to feel shame" (Latin, pudere), with derivatives occurs 80 times; kalam, "to shame," including the thought of "disgrace," "reproach"; chapher, "to blush": hence shame because of frustrated plans (uniformly in the Revised Version (British and American) "confounded"); Greek aischunomai, "suffused with shame," passive only and its compounds. Uses:
(1) A few times, of actual embarrassment, as of Hazael before the steadfast look of Elisha (2Ki 8:11; see…
נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look
Pi. look
Hiph. look
base
H5027 נָבַט look
5027 nabat naw-bat'
a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by
implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause
to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.
1) to look, regard
1a) (Piel) to look
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) tolook
1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider
1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vhcc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word אֶל (el) is primarily a preposition indicating motion towards or direction to a person or place. It can also imply entering a limit, presence at a location, or a hostile direction (against). Additionally, it may express concepts such as concerning, in addition to, or according to. The entries highlight its versatility in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph),
prep. denoting motion to or direction towards (whether physical or mental).of motion to or unto a person or place
Where the limit is actually entered, into
Of direction towards anything
Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
Of rule or standard according to (rare)
Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
base
H413 אֶל (nearly always followed by Makkeph), . of motion to or unto a person or place
. Where the limit is actually entered, into
. Of direction towards anything
. Where the motion or direction implied appears from the context to be of a hostile character, אֶל = against
. Unto sometimes acquires from the context the sense of in addition to
. Metaph. in regard to, concerning, on account of
. Of rule or standard according to (rare)
. Expressing presence at a spot, against, at, by, not merely after verbs implying motion
. Prefixed to other preps. it combines with them the idea of motion or direction to
413 'el ale
(but only used in the shortened constructive form sel {el});
a primitive particle; properly, denoting motion towards, but
occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or
among; often in general, to:--about, according to ,after,
against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and,
by, concerning, for, from, X hath, in(- to), near, (out) of,
over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether,
with(-in).
אֶל (el) — to(wards).
1) to, toward, unto (of motion)
2) into (limit is actually entered)
2a) in among
3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion)
4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character)
5) in addition to, to
6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of
7) according to (rule or standard)
8) at, by, against (of one's presence)
9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
HR — PrepositionHR
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)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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).
מִצְוָה (mitsvah) means 'commandment' and can refer to commands from both humans and God. It encompasses laws, ordinances, and precepts, indicating a range of directives within religious and moral contexts. The term is derived from a root meaning to command, linking it to the broader framework of divine law.
מִצְוָה 181 n.f. commandment
base
H4687 מִצְוָה commandment
4687 mitsvah mits-vaw'
from 6680; a command, whether human or divine (collectively,
the Law):--(which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance,
precept.
see HEBREW for 06680
מִצְוָה (mits.vah) — commandment.
1) commandment
1a) commandment (of man)
1b) the commandment (of God)
1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
