Psalms 119:94 — Word Study
WLCלְֽךָ־ אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
BSAI amʼănîy [belong to you] save meyâshaʻ [rescue, deliver] forkîy I have soughtdârash■ [pursued, inquired about] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands, divine principles]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְֽךָ־ | [belong] to you | Preposition, suffix |
| אֲ֭נִי | I | Pronoun |
| הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי | save me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| כִּ֖י | for | Particle |
| פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃ | I have sought | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. |
| KJV | I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. |
| ASV | I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts. |
| YLT | I [am] Thine, save Thou me, For Thy precepts I have sought. |
| WEB | I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts. |
| BBE | I am yours, O be my saviour; for my desire has been for your rules. |
Where they part company is הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause expresses identity, followed by a request and a reason, creating a clear and structured plea.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
verbדָּרַשׁ
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 119:94
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 Preceptsgenerated
Psalms 119:94 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist, who acknowledges his belonging to God and seeks divine rescue. This verse is nestled within a larger reflection on the significance of God's laws, emphasizing the psalmist's commitment to following them, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 86:2 | Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You. |
| 2 | Joshua 10:4–6 | “Come up and help me. We will attack Gibeon, because they have made peace with Joshua and the Israelites.” |
| 3 | Isaiah 41:8–10 | “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— |
| 4 | Isaiah 44:2–5 | This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. |
| 5 | Isaiah 64:8–10 | But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי, ho.shi.'E.nigenerated
The verb הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי, transliterated as ho.shi.'E.ni, is a Hiphil imperative meaning 'save me' or 'deliver me.' It conveys a strong request for salvation, highlighting the psalmist's reliance on God for rescue from peril.
This verb is built from the root יָשַׁע (yasha`), which encompasses the broader meanings of saving, delivering, and providing safety. The imperative form indicates urgency, as the psalmist seeks immediate help in light of his commitment to God's commands.
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 main verb הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי governs the structure of the verse, with the subject אֲ֭נִי and the object נִי forming a clear plea. The conjunction כִּי introduces the reason for this plea, linking the psalmist's request for salvation to his active pursuit of God's precepts.
The sentence flows logically, with the subject stating his identity and need, followed by the reason for that need, creating a cohesive thought that emphasizes dependence on God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי as σώσον (sōson), meaning 'save' or 'rescue.' This choice reflects a direct and urgent appeal for divine intervention, consistent with the original Hebrew meaning.
This Greek word carries similar connotations of deliverance and safety, aligning closely with the psalmist's intent in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 119:94 shows the psalmist's deep connection to God, expressing that he belongs to God and urgently asks for salvation. He states that he has actively sought God's commands, linking his plea for help to his commitment to following God's ways.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase expresses the psalmist's deep sense of belonging to God, indicating a personal relationship and commitment.
He asks for salvation because he recognizes his need for divine help and protection, especially in the face of challenges.
God's precepts are His commands and instructions, which guide the lives of His followers and reflect His will.
The psalmist connects his plea for salvation to his active pursuit of God's commands, indicating that following God's ways is integral to his faith and reliance on God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I express my belonging to God in my daily life?
- How can I actively seek God's commands and apply them to my circumstances?
- What challenges do I face that require me to ask God for salvation or help?
- How does understanding God's precepts influence my relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, referenced this verse to illustrate the psalmist's plea for divine assistance based on his commitment to God's righteousness.
He next adds: "I am Yours: O save me, for I have sought Your righteousnesses" [Psalms 119:94].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:94 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI [am] thine, save me,.... From all troubles and afflictions; from all enemies, temporal and spiritual; from Satan, and his principalities and powers, from sin, and all the wretched consequences of
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. I (am) thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts - I belong to thee, and give myself up wholly to thee (literally, I to thee), to thy Word, and thy will; save me therefore.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleI am thine by creation and redemption, and manifold obligations, as also by my own choice and designation. I have devoted myself to thy service, and committed myself to thy care.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:94 I [am] thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.Ver. 94. I am thine, save me] Every man will see to his own, unless he be worse than an infidel; and shall not God? For I have sought thy precepts] And can thereby prove myself to be thine. Where it is implied that all that we are to seek in our obedience are the precepts themselves; the thing especially we are to aim at is obedience itself to the precepts.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 94. I am thine, save me] He who can say this need fear no evil. In all trials, temptations, dangers, afflictions, persecutions, I am thine. Thy enemies wish to destroy me! Lord, look to thy servant; thy servant looks to thee. O how sovereign is such a word against all the evils of life! I am THINE! therefore save thine OWN!
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges94. sought] Or, studied. Cp. Psalms 119:45.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI am thine - All that he had, and was, belonged to God. This is an expression of a fact, and of a purpose: a fact about which he had no doubt; a purpose ever to be the Lord’s.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleì, Lamed.89-96. Thy word is settled in heaven—This lofty declaration of the character of the word, gives the reason why it may be trusted.
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 am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
I belong to you. Deliver me! For I seek your precepts.
Tyndale line
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts.
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
I am thine, saue me: for I haue sought thy precepts.
Strictly literal
I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
I [am] Thine, save Thou me, For Thy precepts I have sought.
I [am] Yours, save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
Thine am I, save me; for thy precepts have I sought.
I am yours; save me, for I seek your instructions.
Simplified
I belong to you, so please save me! I am committed to following your rules.
I am yours, O be my saviour; for my desire has been for 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 on the wording of this verse, with all six words matching in the Hebrew and Greek translations. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the Masoretic Text, confirming the integrity of the verse.
לְֽךָ־ אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ל׳כה אני הושיע׳ני כי פקודי׳כה דרשתי
6 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 119:94
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.
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or mandate, specifically one that is appointed by God. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint and is used in a plural form to collectively denote commandments or statutes within the Law.
[פִּקּוּד] 24 n.m. precept
base
H6490 [פִּקּוּד] precept
6490 piqquwd pik-kood'
or piqqud {pik-kood'}; from 6485; properly, appointed, i.e. a
mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the
Law):--commandment, precept, statute.
see HEBREW for 06485
פִּקּוּד (piq.qud) — precept.
precept, statute
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
דָּרַשׁ (darash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to seek or inquire. It encompasses a range of actions from frequenting a place to consulting deities in prayer and worship. The word can imply a diligent search or demand, and it appears in both Qal and Niphal forms, indicating various nuances of seeking and being sought. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.
דָּרַשׁ 162 vb. resort to, seek
Qal
(tread a place,) resort to, frequent
seek, consult, inquire of
seek deity in prayer and worship
seek, with idea of demanding, require
inquire, investigate (a matter)
ask for, require, demand
seek with application, study, follow, practise
seek with care, care for
Niph.
let oneself be inquired of, consulted, only of God
be sought out
be required, of blood
base
H1875 דָּרַשׁ resort to, seek
1875 darash daw-rash'
a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to
follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or
ask; specifically to worship:--ask, X at all, care for, X
diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-)mancer,
question, require, search, seek (for, out), X surely.
דָּרַשׁ (da.rash) — to seek.
1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place)
1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek
1a2a) of God
1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers
1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship
1a3a) God
1a3b) heathen deities
1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require
1a5) to investigate, enquire
1a6) to ask for, require, demand
1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application
1a8) to seek with care, care for
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God)
1b2) to be sought, be sought out
1b3) to be required (of blood)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
