Psalm 119:127 kjv
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Psalm 119:127 nkjv
Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
Psalm 119:127 niv
Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
Psalm 119:127 esv
Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
Psalm 119:127 nlt
Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
Psalm 119 127 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 19:10 | More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold... | God's law's value over wealth. |
| Prov 3:13-15 | Happy is the man that findeth wisdom...her merchandise is better than...fine gold. | Wisdom's superior worth to riches. |
| Prov 8:10-11 | Receive my instruction...for wisdom is better than rubies... | Wisdom preferred over all treasures. |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. | Delight in God's law. |
| Ps 119:97 | O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. | Profound personal love for God's law. |
| Jer 15:16 | Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart... | Internalized joy from God's word. |
| Rom 7:22 | For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: | Inner man's delight in God's law. |
| Mt 6:19-21 | Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | Heavenly vs. earthly treasures. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ... | Valuing Christ above all worldly gain. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | That the trial of your faith...might be found unto praise...more precious than of gold that perisheth... | Faith's eternal value surpasses perishing gold. |
| 1 Jn 2:15-17 | Love not the world...for all that is in the world...is not of the Father... | Warning against loving worldly things. |
| Ps 40:8 | I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. | Delight in doing God's will. |
| Deut 6:5 | Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. | Supreme love for God and His will. |
| Josh 1:8 | This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night... | Continuous engagement with God's law. |
| Isa 2:3 | For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. | God's law as central divine revelation. |
| Hag 2:8 | The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. | God's ultimate ownership of all wealth. |
| Rev 3:18 | I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; | Spiritual wealth through divine faith. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith... | The danger of loving money. |
| Job 23:12 | Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. | Valuing God's word over sustenance. |
| Isa 55:1-2 | Ho, every one that thirsteth...buy wine and milk without money and without price... | Seeking spiritual nourishment over earthly gain. |
| Ps 119:72 | The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. | Directly valuing God's law over vast wealth. |
| Lk 12:33-34 | Sell that ye have, and give alms...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. | Shift treasure focus from earthly to heavenly. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 127 Meaning
Psalm 119:127 expresses the Psalmist's profound and unconditional love for God's commandments, stating that this love surpasses even the desire for the most valuable material possessions, such as refined gold. It signifies a radical prioritization of divine wisdom and truth over earthly wealth, portraying a heart utterly devoted to God's will amidst a world that may disregard it.
Psalm 119 127 Context
Psalm 119 is an extended meditation on the excellence and sufficiency of God's Word, structured as an acrostic poem with eight verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse (127) falls within the 'Ayin (ע) section (vv. 121-128). The immediate preceding verses (121-126) provide crucial context. The Psalmist expresses a desire for God's intervention due to righteous judgment (v. 121) while experiencing oppression from enemies who "made void" God's law (v. 126). Thus, the "Therefore" (אַל כֵּן, ʿal kēn) in verse 127 connects the Psalmist's unwavering love for God's commandments to the surrounding apostasy and contempt for the law by others. In a time when God's law was disregarded by many, the Psalmist declares an even greater commitment and affection for it. It is a defiant stand against spiritual decay and a reaffirmation of allegiance to divine truth.
Psalm 119 127 Word analysis
- Therefore (אַל כֵּן - ʾal kēn): This conjunctive phrase literally means "on account of this" or "for this reason." It signifies a logical consequence or a strong causative link to what precedes it. In the context of Psalm 119:126, where the Psalmist states, "It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law," the "Therefore" implies that precisely because God's law is being disregarded and profaned by others, the Psalmist's personal love for it intensifies, contrasting with the world's actions.
- I love (אָהַבְתִּי - ʾāhavtī): Derived from the root ʾāhav (אהב), this verb signifies a deep affection, strong attachment, and devoted passion. It goes beyond mere intellectual assent or outward obedience, expressing a heartfelt, emotional, and committed devotion to God's statutes. It implies a willing and joyous embrace of divine instruction.
- Thy commandments (מִצְוֺתֶיךָ - mitzkhvotèkhā): This term (mitzvot) refers to God's precepts, divine directives, and ordinances, which outline His will for humanity and guide human conduct. It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed law. The possessive "Thy" emphasizes that these are God's own declarations, originating from His divine authority and wisdom.
- Above (מִן - min): This preposition indicates comparison, separation, or origin, functioning here as "more than" or "superior to." It explicitly ranks the value of God's commandments as higher than what follows.
- Gold (זָהָב - zāhāv): A precious, highly valued metal universally associated with wealth, prosperity, security, and power in the ancient world and today. It represents the pinnacle of material worth.
- Yea (וּמִפָּז - u-mippāz - conjunction waw "and" plus min "from/than"): The conjunction "and" here functions as an emphatic "yea" or "even," highlighting the further intensification of the comparison. It is part of a Hebrew poetic device that uses repetition to heighten the emphasis.
- Fine gold (פָּז - pāz): This term refers to purified, refined, or solid gold. It denotes the highest quality, most valuable, and purest form of gold. The repetition of "gold" qualified by "fine" (gold; yea, above fine gold) is a common Hebrew poetic device (e.g., parallelism or hendiadys) that stresses the extreme degree of comparison. It's not just more than ordinary gold, but more than the absolute best and most coveted gold, emphasizing the surpassing worth of God's law.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Therefore I love Thy commandments": This phrase links the Psalmist's personal commitment directly to the external circumstances. It suggests a love that is deepened by adversity and spiritual decline around him, choosing fidelity to God's law even when others abandon it. This isn't merely theoretical love but a practical, counter-cultural stand.
- "above gold; yea, above fine gold": This powerful parallelism serves as a hyperbole to illustrate an unparalleled estimation of value. It asserts that God's truth is inherently more enriching, secure, and satisfying than any earthly wealth or perceived prosperity. This stands in stark contrast to materialistic worldviews which prioritize fleeting riches. The repetition of "gold" in escalating terms ensures the message of supreme value is emphatically conveyed.
Psalm 119 127 Bonus section
The strong emphasis on valuing God's commandments above material wealth implicitly presents a polemic against ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and societal values that often linked prosperity and tangible riches directly with divine favor or human success. By asserting that God's commands themselves are the ultimate treasure, the Psalmist elevates ethical and spiritual adherence over mere material acquisition, recalibrating the concept of true blessing. This verse illustrates the practical outworking of the covenant love ("love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might," Deut 6:5) as expressed through a deep affection for His specific instructions, signifying a profound, personal covenant loyalty even in the face of widespread apostasy.
Psalm 119 127 Commentary
Psalm 119:127 is a powerful declaration of superlative devotion. It encapsulates a worldview where God's directives are not burdensome constraints but rather supremely valuable treasures. The "Therefore" (אַל כֵּן) highlights that this deep affection for God's commandments is not casual but arises in direct response to the prevalent disrespect for divine law by others (v. 126). When the world makes God's law "void," the faithful soul clings to it even more passionately. This radical prioritization of spiritual truth over material wealth—epitomized by "gold; yea, above fine gold"—reveals a profound trust in God as the ultimate source of value, security, and guidance. It asserts that true richness lies in adherence to God's wisdom, providing a solid foundation for life far beyond any transient earthly gain. It challenges materialism and calls believers to align their affections with eternal, divine values, finding genuine delight and sustenance in God's perfect Word. This mindset leads to a joyful obedience, driven by love rather than obligation.