Psalm 119 145

Psalm 119:145 kjv

I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

Psalm 119:145 nkjv

I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes.

Psalm 119:145 niv

I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees.

Psalm 119:145 esv

With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.

Psalm 119:145 nlt

I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD!
I will obey your decrees.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 145 Meaning

Psalm 119:145 expresses a fervent, earnest plea to the LORD, made with the psalmist's entire being. It is a cry for divine attention and response, rooted in a sincere commitment and resolute intention to observe and uphold God's statutes. This verse signifies that true prayer arises from a heart dedicated to God's revealed will, where supplication for help is inextricably linked with a pledge of ongoing obedience.

Psalm 119 145 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem composed of 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within a stanza begins with that letter. The entire psalm is a fervent exposition on the beauty, wisdom, and importance of God's Word (Torah), referred to by various synonyms like statutes (ḥuqqim), precepts, testimonies, commandments, judgments, and word. The psalmist expresses deep love, dependence, and delight in the divine law, intertwining pleas for understanding, strength to obey, and deliverance from affliction.

Verse 145 belongs to the Qoph (קוֹף) section (verses 145-152). In this section, the psalmist emphasizes persistent and urgent crying out to God, often amidst distress or the threat of foes. The desire to keep God's statutes, as stated in this verse, provides the grounding for such heartfelt prayers. It clarifies that the psalmist's urgent supplication is not merely a request for relief, but a call from a committed heart that deeply desires to walk in alignment with God's perfect law, seeking divine enablement for continued faithfulness. Historically, for ancient Israel, adherence to God's statutes was central to their covenant relationship and well-being, both individually and nationally.

Psalm 119 145 Word analysis

• I cried (קָרָאתִי - qārā’tî): This Hebrew verb implies a loud, earnest, or urgent calling out, not a whisper or casual utterance. It denotes a distressed, desperate plea or a public proclamation. The past tense "I cried" signifies an action already performed, indicating an established habit or deep-seated practice of fervent prayer. It speaks to a persistent, deeply felt need and earnest supplication.
• with my whole heart (בְּכָל־לֵב - bəḵāl-lēḇ): "Bəḵāl" means "with all," and "lēḇ" means "heart" but encompasses the totality of the inner being – intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. This phrase signifies utter sincerity, undivided attention, and complete devotion. It rules out hypocrisy, half-heartedness, or lip service, emphasizing a profound, genuine commitment stemming from the core of one's being. It echoes the primary command to love God wholeheartedly (Deut 6:5).
• hear me (עֲנֵנִי - ‘ănēnî): "‘Ănēnî" is an imperative, meaning "answer me" or "respond to me." It is a direct and specific petition for God's attentive and responsive action. It’s not just a plea for God to listen, but for Him to act in accordance with the supplication. This implies a desire for intervention, understanding, or strength from the Divine.
• O Lord (יְהֹוָה - Yahweh): This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and unchanging nature, particularly in His relationship with His people. Addressing God by this sacred name signifies a deeply personal relationship and trust in His covenant faithfulness to those who call upon Him sincerely.
• I will keep (אֶשְׁמֹרָה - ’ešmōrâ): This is a strong future declaration or vow. The verb "shamar" means "to guard," "to observe," "to watch over," or "to protect." It conveys an active and intentional commitment to carefully uphold, obey, and preserve God's laws. It's not a mere passive acceptance but an earnest pledge to live by His decrees.
• thy statutes (חֻקֶּיךָ - ḥuqqeḵā): "Ḥuqqīm" refers to God's fixed decrees, ordinances, or established laws, which are viewed as unchangeable and foundational. They are the bedrock of righteous living and express God's moral character and wise design for humanity. This specific term for God's law highlights their prescriptive and enduring nature.

Words-group Analysis:

• "I cried with my whole heart": This phrase emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the psalmist's prayer. It highlights the interior state—the totality of human resolve and desire—as the wellspring of genuine communication with God. It contrasts with mechanical or merely vocal prayer, pointing to prayer as an overflow of a surrendered heart.
• "hear me, O Lord": This is the direct petition, showcasing dependence on divine intervention. It is a humble acknowledgment that only God, the sovereign Yahweh, can truly address the deep needs that prompt such heartfelt cries. It fuses the intense personal plea with recognition of God's authority and ability.
• "I will keep thy statutes": This final clause clarifies the motivation and commitment behind the fervent prayer. It is not a transactional plea (I'll obey if you hear me), but rather a declaration of pre-existing intention and commitment. The psalmist's desire to obey God's laws underpins his prayer for God's help. It suggests that obedience is both a foundation for and a natural consequence of true, heartfelt prayer. This connection establishes a pattern of integrity in the supplicant's life, demonstrating that true spiritual devotion is evidenced by a willingness to live by God's truth.

Psalm 119 145 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of the desperate cry and the steadfast resolve to obey points to the holistic nature of spiritual life. It highlights that intense yearning for God's attention is not separate from practical living; rather, the former empowers and purifies the latter. This verse acts as a spiritual contract or vow from the psalmist to God, underscoring that sincerity in prayer is deeply interwoven with a faithful pursuit of righteousness. It illustrates that effective prayer flows from a genuine covenant relationship, marked by personal devotion and active conformity to divine revelation. The very act of crying out with "whole heart" implies an honest self-assessment, a complete openness before God, signifying nothing is held back from Him—neither pain nor pledge.

Psalm 119 145 Commentary

Psalm 119:145 unveils a profound dimension of sincere prayer: it springs from a heart entirely devoted to God and His ways. The psalmist's "cried with my whole heart" conveys an urgent, unreserved pouring out of his inner self before the LORD. This is not a casual or transactional prayer, but one deeply rooted in an unwavering commitment to God’s written law. The plea "hear me, O Lord" is a request for God's responsive presence, indicating dependence on divine intervention and guidance. Crucially, this supplication is directly connected to a resolute pledge: "I will keep thy statutes." This reveals that the intensity of the psalmist’s prayer is motivated by, and inextricably linked to, his earnest desire for obedience. It’s not a prayer for ability to obey as much as a declaration by one who desires to obey and seeks God’s concurrent action. This dynamic demonstrates that genuine devotion involves both heartfelt communion with God and dedicated conformity to His will, suggesting that God favorably attends to the prayers of those whose hearts are set on upholding His truth.