Psalm 119 151

Psalm 119:151 kjv

Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Psalm 119:151 nkjv

You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.

Psalm 119:151 niv

Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true.

Psalm 119:151 esv

But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.

Psalm 119:151 nlt

But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commands are true.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 151 Meaning

Psalm 119:151 declares two foundational truths about God: His intimate accessibility and the unwavering reliability of His divine precepts. In essence, it means that the Sovereign Lord is always close to His people, providing a readily available presence, and simultaneously, every aspect of His revealed will and instruction is absolutely true, dependable, and a solid foundation for faith and life. This connection highlights that God's nearness is often experienced through the steadfast truth of His Word.

Psalm 119 151 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem (with eight verses for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet) dedicated entirely to exalting God's Law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, ordinances, word, and promises—collectively referred to as God's Word. The psalmist expresses deep love, devotion, reliance, and obedience to the Torah (God's instruction). Verse 151 falls within the section corresponding to the Hebrew letter "Qoph" (קוֹף). The verses surrounding 151 often highlight the psalmist's distress from adversaries who "draw near" for malicious purposes (Ps 119:150) and disregard God's law. In stark contrast to these distant and rebellious adversaries, the psalmist affirms God's immediate presence and the unassailable truth of His instructions. Historically and culturally, this affirmed Yahweh as uniquely personal and reliable, distinguishing Him sharply from pagan deities who were perceived as distant, unpredictable, or whose decrees were often capricious and lacking a moral foundation. The polemic is implicit: against false gods who are either far off or whose revelations are not trustworthy.

Psalm 119 151 Word analysis

• You (אַ֝תָּ֗ה, attah): This immediate address emphasizes a personal, direct relationship between the psalmist and God. It speaks of intimacy and direct communication, contrasting with the distant adversaries.
• are near (קָרֽוֹב, karov): This Hebrew term implies proximity not just spatially, but also in terms of intimate involvement, accessibility, and readiness to act. It means God is readily available, closely connected, and within reach for assistance, comfort, and protection, especially in times of trouble.
• O Lord (יְהֹוָֽה, Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal, relational, and self-existent nature. The use of Yahweh deepens the sense of His faithfulness, power, and commitment to His covenant people. It reinforces the personal nature of God's nearness.
• And (וְ, ve): This simple conjunction is crucial. It acts as a bridge, connecting God's immediate presence ("You are near") directly to the inherent nature of His commands ("all Your commandments are truth"). It suggests either that His nearness is manifested through His true word, or that His nearness makes His word relevant and effective in the believer's life, or that His presence assures the truth of His word.
• all (כָּל, kol): This signifies totality and universality. No commandment, no part of God's revealed will, is excluded from this declaration. It implies comprehensiveness and consistency, assuring the believer that there are no exceptions or hidden deceptions within God's instructions.
• Your commandments (מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ, mitzvotekha): This refers to God's divine precepts, instructions, and ordinances. In Psalm 119, various synonyms like law, statutes, decrees, and word are used, all referring to the revealed will and character of God, designed to guide human behavior and define a right relationship with Him. These are not merely arbitrary rules but expressions of God's wisdom, righteousness, and love.
• are (הֵמָּ֗ה, hemmah): The verb "to be" here strongly affirms the inherent nature. It's not that His commandments will become truth, or are sometimes truth, but that truth is their very essence.
• truth (אֱמֶת, emet): This rich Hebrew word conveys certainty, reliability, faithfulness, and reality. It implies conformity to fact, reality, and unchangeability. God's commandments are not merely true statements but embody reality itself; they are completely dependable and trustworthy. They are the objective standard by which all other claims of truth must be measured.

• "You are near, O Lord": This phrase offers immense comfort and security to the psalmist, especially when surrounded by adversaries (as seen in surrounding verses). It signifies God's active involvement in the life of His servant, His immediate accessibility for help and solace, and His caring oversight. His covenant name "Yahweh" confirms that this nearness is based on an enduring, faithful relationship.
• "And all Your commandments are truth": This assertion provides a firm foundation for life. It counters any doubt about the validity or efficacy of God's instructions. In a world full of shifting opinions and deceptive words, the psalmist anchors his trust in the unchanging, dependable, and thoroughly reliable nature of God's revealed will. The conjunction "and" is key here, drawing a vital link: God's presence is linked directly to the integrity of His word. God's accessibility means His truth is not just theoretical but powerfully applied to one's life. Conversely, the truth of His commandments draws Him near to those who embrace them.

Psalm 119 151 Bonus section

The intimate connection between God's "nearness" and the "truth" of His commandments suggests that a believer experiences God's presence most profoundly through active engagement with, and obedience to, His word. It is not just theoretical knowledge but living by His precepts that makes His presence palpable. This verse acts as a strong affirmation against relativism: in a world where "truth" is often considered subjective, the psalmist confidently declares that God's commandments stand as the objective, unwavering standard of reality and rectitude. Furthermore, in times of isolation or attack, this verse provides a dual source of comfort: the ever-present Shepherd and His unerring roadmap for navigating trials.

Psalm 119 151 Commentary

Psalm 119:151 provides profound reassurance to the devoted heart, especially in times of affliction or spiritual battle. When the "wicked draw near" (Ps 119:150), a common theme throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist's comfort does not come from their departure, but from the unassailable twin realities: God's immanent presence and the infallible veracity of His Word. God is not a distant deity but one who is actively and intimately involved in the lives of His faithful. This "nearness" implies His protective power, His comforting presence, and His readiness to hear and respond.

Furthermore, this nearness is intrinsically linked to the character of His commandments. The phrase "all Your commandments are truth" elevates God's instructions beyond mere rules; they are the very essence of reality, trustworthy, unfailing, and completely consistent with His righteous character. They serve as an anchor for faith and a lamp for guidance, offering absolute certainty in an uncertain world. The psalmist trusts not only that God is present but also that His guiding principles are perfectly sound, providing wisdom and a steadfast path regardless of external pressures. Thus, the verse articulates that God’s accessibility and the veracity of His Word combine to form an invincible shield against despair and deception.