Psalm 119 101

Psalm 119:101 kjv

I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Psalm 119:101 nkjv

I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.

Psalm 119:101 niv

I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.

Psalm 119:101 esv

I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

Psalm 119:101 nlt

I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 101 Meaning

This verse encapsulates the psalmist's active and deliberate choice to prevent himself from walking in any path of sin or wickedness. His ultimate motivation for this rigorous self-discipline is to remain faithful and obedient to God's divine Word, recognizing that true devotion involves a practical adherence to God's revealed truth in daily life.

Psalm 119 101 Context

Psalm 119:101 is nestled within the larger acrostic psalm that extols the perfection and vital importance of God's law, word, statutes, and precepts. This particular verse falls within the section marked by the Hebrew letter "Lamedh" (ל). Throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist repeatedly expresses profound love, delight, and devotion to God's commands. This verse naturally flows from such adoration, showcasing the practical outworking of that love. The psalmist's commitment to keep God's Word leads to a proactive separation from sin. The historical context for the original audience, the Israelites, deeply ingrained the concept of "walking" as a metaphor for one's life conduct, contrasting the "way of the righteous" with the "way of the wicked" found throughout wisdom literature. The commitment here would have been a direct stance against the idolatrous and immoral practices common among surrounding nations.

Psalm 119 101 Word analysis

• I have restrained: (Hebrew: כָּלָא, kala) This verb signifies to hold back, withhold, keep in check, or shut up. It indicates a deliberate, conscious, and active choice or effort to prevent something from happening or from continuing. It is not passive abstinence but a strong, willed action to intervene and halt progress down a particular path. It underscores personal agency and a proactive stance against sin.
• my feet: (Hebrew: רַגְלַי, raglai) "Feet" are often used metaphorically in biblical literature to represent one's steps, path, conduct, or the general course of life. It encompasses all one's actions and overall behavior. To restrain one's feet means to control one's movement, direction, and life's choices.
• from every evil way: (Hebrew: מִכָּל-אֹרַח רָע, mikol-orach ra) An "evil way" (דֶּרֶךְ רָע or אֹרַח רָע) refers to any course of life, action, or habit that is contrary to God's will and moral law. The inclusion of "every" (כָּל, kol) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this restraint; it leaves no room for partial sin or specific exemptions. It points to a commitment to total holiness according to divine standards.
• that I might keep: (Hebrew: לְמַעַן אֶשְׁמֹר, lema'an eshmor) The phrase lema'an indicates purpose or reason, making "that I might keep" the goal. "Keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar) means to guard, observe, watch over, preserve, or obey. It implies diligent and faithful adherence, not just intellectual acknowledgment.
• Your word: (Hebrew: דְבָרֶךָ, d'varekha) This term broadly refers to God's revealed communication, including His commandments, statutes, laws, and instructions found in the Torah and prophets. It is the objective standard for defining both "evil ways" and the path of righteousness that the psalmist is determined to obey.

Words-group analysis

• "I have restrained my feet": This highlights the volitional aspect of righteousness. It is a self-imposed discipline, indicating the psalmist's resolute will and commitment. It signifies a proactive turning away, rather than a mere avoidance of opportunity. This active "holding back" speaks to the internal battle and victory over temptations and natural sinful inclinations.
• "from every evil way, that I might keep Your word": This phrase illuminates the profound purpose and motivation behind the self-restraint. The deliberate avoidance of evil is not an end in itself but a means to the greater end of actively obeying God's divine instruction. There's a clear cause-and-effect relationship: turning from wickedness enables one to walk in and adhere to God's precepts. It underscores the exclusivity of paths; one cannot truly keep God's word while simultaneously walking in paths of sin.

Psalm 119 101 Bonus section

• The Hebrew verb kala (כָּלָא) implies a powerful, almost forceful intervention by the psalmist upon himself. It is a stark refusal to entertain, begin, or continue down paths of sin. This underscores the intentionality and effort required in the spiritual battle.
• The concept of "way" (דֶּרֶךְ or אֹרַח) is a foundational metaphor throughout the Old Testament, representing one's entire life course, character, and conduct. Thus, restraining one's feet from an evil way means redirecting one's entire being and choices away from sin.
• This verse counters any notion of a compartmentalized faith where one might assent to God's Word intellectually but compromise in practice. It advocates for an integrated life where conviction translates directly into consistent conduct.
• The placement in the Lamedh (ל) section of Psalm 119 is interesting as Lamedh can relate to teaching and instruction ("lamad" means to learn/teach). The psalmist's commitment to restrain his feet from evil is a direct outcome of having learned and been instructed by God's Word.

Psalm 119 101 Commentary

Psalm 119:101 offers a profound declaration of personal discipline rooted in love for God's Word. The psalmist, through his intentional act of "restraining his feet," illustrates that holiness is not merely a passive state but an active, moment-by-moment choice to depart from anything contrary to God's revealed will. This involves a comprehensive shunning of "every evil way," indicating that genuine devotion seeks to align all aspects of one's life with divine standards. The clear motivation for this disciplined conduct is to "keep Your word," demonstrating that true obedience to God's commands requires a proactive disengagement from sinful influences and choices. It's a testament to the transformative power of God's Word guiding one's practical life, providing the light by which one distinguishes between righteous and evil paths and empowers the will to choose the former. It reveals that a sincere desire for God's truth naturally leads to a deliberate separation from unrighteousness, allowing the believer to walk consistently in integrity.

Examples include:

• Consciously choosing to turn off entertainment that promotes immoral behavior.
• Actively walking away from conversations that descend into gossip or slander.
• Deliberately refusing to engage in deceptive practices in one's work, even if pressured.