Psalm 119 112

Psalm 119:112 kjv

I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Psalm 119:112 nkjv

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.

Psalm 119:112 niv

My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

Psalm 119:112 esv

I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Psalm 119:112 nlt

I am determined to keep your decrees
to the very end.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 112 Meaning

Psalm 119:112 expresses the psalmist's resolute and intentional commitment to obey God's divine commands. It signifies a profound inner disposition where the heart, as the center of one's being, is deliberately aligned and dedicated to God's precepts. This commitment is not temporary but perpetual, enduring throughout the psalmist's entire life and beyond, implying an ultimate and unwavering faithfulness to divine revelation.

Psalm 119 112 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, entirely devoted to praising and meditating on God's law, known as His 'Torah'. It is an alphabetic acrostic psalm, where each of the 22 stanzas (representing the letters of the Hebrew alphabet) consists of eight verses, each beginning with that stanza's respective Hebrew letter. This specific verse, Psalm 119:112, belongs to the "Kaph" (כ) section (verses 105-112). In this section, the psalmist speaks of God's word as a lamp, acknowledges affliction, reaffirms the preciousness of God's testimonies, and declares a solemn commitment. The historical context reflects an Israelite devotion to the covenant and God's revealed will, possibly stemming from post-exilic times where renewed emphasis was placed on the Law. The psalmist expresses not merely external adherence, but a profound internal, lifelong allegiance to the divine commands.

Psalm 119 112 Word analysis

• I have inclined (נָטִיתִי - naṭîtî): This is a verb in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. It means "to stretch out," "to bend," "to extend," or "to pitch." In this context, it implies a deliberate, decisive, and volitional act. The psalmist consciously bent or directed his innermost being towards a specific purpose. It signifies a non-coerced choice.

• my heart (לִבִּי - libbî): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions, but the totality of the inner person—intellect, will, emotions, and moral consciousness. It is the core of one's being where decisions are made, affections reside, and understanding takes place. To incline the heart means to dedicate the entire inner self.

• to perform (לַעֲשׂוֹת - laʿăśōwt): This indicates practical action and obedience. It's not just about intellectual assent or emotional agreement, but actively "doing" or "making" the statutes a reality in one's life. The lamed preposition signifies purpose – "for the purpose of doing."

• Your statutes (חֻקֶּיךָ - ḥuqeqā): The term חֹק (choq) refers to prescribed ordinances, decrees, or regulations. These are God's fixed, established laws, often implying that which is "cut in" or "engraved." They are unchangeable and carry divine authority. The suffix "Your" emphasizes their divine origin and personal relationship to God.

• forever (לְעוֹלָם - leʿôlām): This term indicates perpetuity, eternally, or for all time. It conveys an indefinite and unending duration. This commitment is not for a season, but continuous and unwavering.

• even to the end (עֵקֶב - ʿēqev): This Hebrew word is multi-layered. While commonly translated as "end," especially in conjunction with "forever," its root can also mean "heel," "consequence," "reward," or "in the outcome."

  • As "to the end": In this sense, it intensifies "forever," signifying that the commitment is for the duration of one's life, or until the consummation of all things, emphasizing perseverance until the very last moment.
  • As "for the reward/consequence": This reading implies that the psalmist is inclining his heart to obey God's statutes for the sake of the positive outcome or blessing that comes from such obedience (as seen in Psa 19:11: "in keeping them there is great reward"). This provides a powerful motivation for enduring faithfulness. Both nuances reinforce the deep and comprehensive nature of the psalmist's dedication.

• "I have inclined my heart": This phrase highlights the personal volition and the deep internal commitment required for true obedience. It's a proactive choice, not a passive response. It's the inner disposition of alignment with God's will.

• "to perform Your statutes": This pairing emphasizes that genuine commitment translates into practical action. The internal resolve must lead to external doing. It's a devotion that finds its expression in walking according to God's revealed will.

• "forever, even to the end": This grouping conveys the absolute and unwavering nature of the psalmist's dedication. It's a commitment that is not only for an extended period but also encompasses one's entire life journey and potentially anticipates a future blessing or ultimate outcome. This speaks of endurance, perseverance, and ultimate faithfulness.

Psalm 119 112 Bonus section

The concept of "heart" in this verse, lev or leb, extends beyond mere emotion; it is the comprehensive locus of personality, including reasoning, deliberation, conscience, and will. Thus, "inclining my heart" means bringing all these faculties into submission and dedication to God's ways. This commitment to the Law is not portrayed as burdensome but as a voluntary act stemming from delight and understanding of its life-giving properties. The Psalm implicitly teaches that obedience flows from an inward transformation and conscious decision, echoing later biblical truths that true adherence to God's commands must come from a transformed spirit. This intentional self-direction is key to enduring faithfulness.

Psalm 119 112 Commentary

Psalm 119:112 articulates the psalmist's profound and intentional resolve to live in sustained obedience to God's divine Law. It reveals a heart utterly dedicated, not just superficially, but from its core. This "inclination of the heart" signifies a deliberate, conscious choice to orient one's entire being – intellect, will, and affections – toward fulfilling God's decrees. The emphasis on "Your statutes" points to God's established and righteous commands as the specific object of this unwavering commitment. This devotion is not fleeting; the inclusion of "forever, even to the end" underscores a perpetual and lifelong dedication, enduring through all circumstances until life's final breath, or perhaps motivated by the ultimate reward of faithful living. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the value of steadfast, wholehearted obedience rooted in a deep love for God and His perfect will, reminding believers that true godliness stems from an internal decision that culminates in persistent, external action.