Psalm 119:111 kjv
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalm 119:111 nkjv
Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Psalm 119:111 niv
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:111 esv
Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
Psalm 119:111 nlt
Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart's delight.
Psalm 119 111 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 19:7-10 | The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul... more to be desired than gold... sweeter than honey. | Word is more valuable and delightful than riches |
| Ps 1:2 | ...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. | Joy found in meditating on God's law |
| Jer 15:16 | Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart… | God's word ingested as a source of joy |
| Matt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. | Contrasts perishable earthly heritage with enduring heavenly one |
| Ps 119:14 | I delight in the way of your testimonies as much as in all riches. | Equates joy in testimonies with joy in wealth |
| Ps 119:16 | I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. | Personal commitment to delight in God's statutes |
| Ps 119:24 | Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. | Testimonies as both source of joy and guidance |
| Ps 119:47-48 | I delight in your commandments, which I love. | Love for commandments leading to delight |
| Ps 119:97 | Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. | Intense love and continuous engagement with God's law |
| Ps 119:103 | How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! | Vivid imagery of the word's delightful sweetness |
| Isa 40:8 | The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. | Emphasizes the eternal nature of God's Word |
| Matt 5:18 | For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. | Affirmation of the unchanging permanence of God's Law |
| 1 Pet 1:23-25 | …born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God… the word of the Lord remains forever. | The imperishable Word brings eternal life |
| Num 18:20 | Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel." | The Levites' heritage was the Lord Himself |
| Ps 16:5-6 | The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. | God Himself as the ultimate beautiful inheritance |
| Prov 2:1-5 | If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD… | Seeking wisdom (God's truth) as precious treasure |
| Ps 37:4 | Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. | Joy in God leads to fulfillment of heart's desires |
| Luke 10:42 | Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. | Choosing the enduring spiritual over the temporal |
| John 15:11 | These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. | Christ's words bringing fullness of joy |
| Rom 7:22 | For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being. | Inner being's delight in God's law confirms acceptance |
| Eph 1:11 | In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will | Believers having a spiritual inheritance in Christ |
| Heb 10:34 | ...knowing that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. | A "better" and permanent possession found in faith |
| Ps 119:54 | Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. | God's word as a source of comfort and inspiration during life's journey |
| Ps 43:4 | Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy… | God Himself as the ultimate and overflowing source of joy |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 111 Meaning
Psalm 119:111 expresses the psalmist's profound devotion to God's divine laws and precepts, embracing them not merely as instructions but as an everlasting, treasured inheritance. This cherished spiritual legacy is declared to be the singular, enduring source of deep joy that originates from within his very heart and soul.
Psalm 119 111 Context
Psalm 119 is the Bible's longest chapter, an extensive acrostic poem (each of its 22 eight-verse stanzas beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet) celebrating the excellence and blessedness of God's law. The psalmist consistently uses synonyms like "law," "testimonies," "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "judgments," and "word" to refer to God's divine revelation. The entire psalm overflows with expressions of the psalmist's deep love for, dependence on, and obedience to God's written word, which serves as his guide, comfort, and delight. Verse 111 falls within the "Mem" (מ) section. Historically and culturally, the Torah (God's Law) was the cornerstone of Israelite identity, distinct from the fleeting and idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. The psalmist here declares the superiority of God's unchanging truth over all temporary and worldly possessions or philosophies.
Psalm 119 111 Word analysis
- Your testimonies (עֵדֹתֶיךָ - ʿedōtēykā): Derived from
עֵדוּת (ʿedût), which signifies "witness," "precept," or "divine decrees." These are God's authoritative pronouncements, serving as a constant witness to His perfect character and unchanging will. The plural form highlights the comprehensiveness and multiple aspects of His revealed truth. - are my heritage (נַחֲלָתִי - naḥălātî): From
נַחֲלָה (naḥălāh), meaning "inheritance," "possession," or "allotted portion." In ancient Israel, "heritage" typically referred to the tribal land allocation, providing identity, security, and sustenance. Here, the psalmist elevates God's word above material wealth, claiming it as his most precious, personal, and permanent possession, implying security, belonging, and identity. - forever (לְעוֹלָם - lĕʿôlām): This adverb emphasizes permanence, perpetuity, and eternity. It directly contrasts the temporary nature of earthly inheritances or joys with the everlasting duration of the blessings found in God's word, highlighting its enduring value and timeless relevance.
- for they (כִּי־הֵם - kî-hēm): The conjunction "for" (
כִּי - kî) introduces the causal explanation or the compelling reason for the psalmist's declaration that God's testimonies are his heritage. It logically connects the concept of eternal heritage with the subsequent expression of joy. - are the joy (שְׂשׂוֹן - śeśōn): From
שָׂשׂוֹן (śāśôn), meaning "gladness," "exultation," "jubilation," or a profound, deep-seated delight. This isn't superficial happiness but a significant spiritual pleasure and profound satisfaction that transcends circumstances. - of my heart (לִבִּי - libbî): Refers to
לֵב (lēv), the Hebrew concept of the "heart" as the very core of a person's being—encompassing their intellect, will, emotions, and conscience. This signifies that the joy is internal, authentic, and affects the psalmist's entire inner life, stemming from the deepest part of his being.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Your testimonies are my heritage forever": This phrase portrays God's revealed truth as the ultimate, enduring inheritance. It contrasts transient earthly possessions with an eternal, spiritual wealth found in God's word. This signifies a profound sense of security, provision, and lasting identity derived from divine truth, positioning God's revelation as paramount to one's life legacy.
- "for they are the joy of my heart": This clarifies the foundational reason God's testimonies are deemed an eternal heritage. They are not burdensome regulations but the source of profound, genuine joy. This joy is not external or circumstantial but arises from an intimate, spiritual alignment with divine truth, filling and satisfying the deepest aspects of the psalmist's inner self.
Psalm 119 111 Bonus section
The Old Testament concept of "heritage" (נַחֲלָה) often referred to the Promised Land given to the Israelites as an enduring possession. However, for the Levites, their heritage was the Lord Himself and their service in the Tabernacle/Temple, rather than a share of the land (Num 18:20; Deut 10:9). The psalmist's assertion that God's testimonies are his heritage expands this concept beyond a geographical or tribal inheritance. It establishes a spiritual inheritance that is universally accessible to all who embrace God's word. This shifts the understanding of what constitutes true, lasting wealth from the material to the divine, emphasizing the abiding richness of truth and the blessing of an ongoing relationship with God through His revelation. The particular kind of joy mentioned (śāśôn) is often associated with the exultation experienced in salvation, divine presence, or victory, indicating that embracing God's word is an experience of spiritual triumph and deep, sustaining comfort. This joy is not passive but a cultivated and intentional delight, flowing from a recognition of the inherent goodness and profound benefit found in God's perfect truth.
Psalm 119 111 Commentary
Psalm 119:111 beautifully expresses the psalmist's supreme estimation of God's divine word. He declares God's "testimonies"—His revealed truths and laws—to be his eternal "heritage," valuing them as a timeless, priceless possession far superior to any earthly inheritance. This profound declaration stems from the understanding that these testimonies are the very "joy of his heart," not merely external rules but an internal wellspring of deep and lasting delight that invigorates his innermost being. The verse reveals a life satisfied and anchored, not in temporary gains, but in the enduring principles and personal presence of God discovered in His word. This profound joy is cultivated by wholeheartedly embracing God's perfect will, demonstrating that true spiritual well-being and ultimate contentment are inextricably linked to aligning one's entire being with divine truth.
- Practical Usage:
- In moments of worldly disappointment, refocus on the unfading inheritance found in God's unchanging word, recognizing its superior value.
- When seeking inner peace, consciously engage with Scripture, allowing its truths to settle the heart and provide genuine delight beyond fleeting pleasures.
- Prioritize time in God's word daily, considering it not a chore but an essential investment in an everlasting spiritual legacy that cultivates deep-seated joy.