Psalm 119:164 kjv
Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:164 nkjv
Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:164 niv
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
Psalm 119:164 esv
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.
Psalm 119:164 nlt
I will praise you seven times a day
because all your regulations are just.
Psalm 119 164 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 34:1 | I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. | Constant praise for God. |
| Ps 145:2 | Every day I will bless You and praise Your name forever and ever. | Daily and unending praise. |
| 1 Thess 5:18 | Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. | Continuous gratitude. |
| Heb 13:15 | Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. | Ongoing sacrifice of praise. |
| Ps 19:7-11 | The law of the LORD is perfect... more to be desired are they than gold... | God's law as perfect and desirable. |
| Dt 4:8 | And what great nation is there that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? | Uniqueness of God's righteous law. |
| Rom 7:12 | So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. | Law's holiness and righteousness affirmed. |
| Rev 15:3 | "Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!" | God's ways are just and true. |
| Ps 55:17 | Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice. | Regular prayer/communication with God. |
| Dan 6:10 | He continued to go to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem, and he got down on his knees three times a day and prayed... | Fixed times of prayer and praise. |
| Luke 18:1 | And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. | Persistency in prayer. |
| 1 Thess 5:17 | Pray without ceasing. | Uninterrupted communion with God. |
| Ps 119:16 | I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. | Joy and delight in God's statutes. |
| Ps 119:24 | Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. | Finding joy and guidance in God's testimonies. |
| Ps 119:47 | for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love. | Loving God's commandments as a source of delight. |
| Rom 7:22 | For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being... | Inward delight in God's law. |
| Dt 32:4 | "The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He." | God's perfect justice and upright character. |
| Gen 18:25 | Far be it from You to do such a thing... Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? | God as the righteous Judge of all the earth. |
| Ps 9:8 | He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. | God's righteous and equitable judgment. |
| Ps 145:17 | The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. | God's righteousness pervades His actions. |
| Rev 19:1-2 | "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for His judgments are true and righteous..." | Praise for God's true and righteous judgments. |
| Isa 45:19 | I have not spoken in secret... I the LORD speak righteousness; I declare things that are right. | God's declarations are inherently righteous. |
| Zeph 3:5 | The LORD within her is righteous; He does no injustice... He brings His justice to light every morning; He does not fail. | God's unwavering righteousness. |
| Ps 7:11 | God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. | God as an ever-active righteous judge. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 164 Meaning
Psalm 119:164 declares the psalmist's deep and constant devotion to God, expressed through abundant praise. The phrase "Seven times a day" signifies a complete and continuous praise, not necessarily a literal count, emphasizing wholehearted dedication. This overflowing praise is given "because of Your righteous judgments," acknowledging that God's decrees, actions, and character are perfectly just and therefore worthy of continuous adoration. It reflects a life thoroughly immersed in recognizing and responding to God's inherent righteousness and His divine law.
Psalm 119 164 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem divided into 22 sections, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each verse within a section begins with that Hebrew letter, and throughout the psalm, various synonyms for God's law (like 'word,' 'commandments,' 'statutes,' 'judgments,' 'precepts,' 'testimonies,' 'rules') are consistently used. The overarching theme is the psalmist's deep and abiding love for God's revealed will, the Torah. Amidst personal suffering, opposition, and affliction, the psalmist continually expresses his trust in, delight in, and dependence on God's perfect law.
Verse 164 is found in the "Tav" section, which is near the conclusion of the psalm. This section reflects the psalmist's persistent devotion, even to the very end of his expression. The context immediately surrounding this verse emphasizes the psalmist's delight in God's law, his longing for God's salvation, his cry to God from distress, and his reliance on God's mercy and unfailing love, all rooted in God's perfect word. Thus, the praise in verse 164 is the natural overflow of a life fully surrendered to and satisfied by the truth and justice of God's character as revealed in His "judgments."
Psalm 119 164 Word analysis
- Seven times (שֶׁבַע - sheva’): This number holds significant symbolic weight in the Bible, often representing completion, perfection, fullness, or sacredness. Examples include the seven days of creation, the seventh year (sabbath year), or numerous instances of "seven" in rituals and prophecies. Here, it denotes continuous, comprehensive, and perfect praise, not merely a literal count. It suggests that every facet of the psalmist's life, every opportune moment throughout the day, is dedicated to God's praise.
- a day (בַּיּוֹם - bay-yom): Signifies regularity, routine, and a pervasive lifestyle of devotion. The praise is woven into the daily rhythm of life, emphasizing an unbroken communion with God, whether consciously articulated or inherently understood.
- I praise You (הִלַּלְתִּיךָ - hillaltikha): The verb halal (הלל), the root from which "Hallelujah" derives, means "to praise, boast, commend." In its grammatical form here, it expresses an active, enthusiastic, and often public expression of adoration. The direct object "You" underscores that God Himself is the ultimate focus and recipient of this heartfelt glorification. This praise acknowledges God’s intrinsic worth and infinite perfections.
- because of Your righteous (עַל־מִשְׁפְּטֵי־צִדְקֶךָ - al-mishpetei-tsidkeka): The phrase "because of" (al) denotes the ground or reason for the praise. The praise is not arbitrary, but founded upon a clear understanding and experience of God's character.
- judgments (מִשְׁפָּטִים - mishpatim): Refers to divine decrees, ordinances, just rulings, and acts of justice. It encapsulates God’s judicial acts, His governmental administration, and the righteous standards He establishes in His law. These are not merely abstract laws but expressions of God's active involvement in establishing and maintaining order and equity in the world. They are reliable and immutable.
- righteous (צֶדֶק - tzedek): Signifies God's inherent uprightness, fairness, and moral purity. It is the attribute by which God always acts in accordance with truth and justice. His judgments are therefore dependable, perfectly equitable, and always aligned with His holy character. This divine righteousness is the fundamental attribute that compels and justifies continuous praise.
Psalm 119 164 Bonus section
The intense praise expressed in this verse serves as a powerful theological statement, subtly challenging any contemporary pagan beliefs that depicted deities as capricious, unjust, or unpredictable. In contrast, the God of Israel is consistently lauded for His absolute and unwavering righteousness, making His "judgments" a stable and trustworthy foundation for praise and life. The word mishpatim also extends beyond just legal pronouncements; it refers to God's just acts in history, His righteous governance over creation, and His just interventions on behalf of His people. Therefore, the praise is not just for the static principles of the law, but for God's dynamic and active righteousness in all His dealings with humanity. This verse is a celebration of God’s nature, which compels unending praise because His character itself is the fount of all justice and right.
Psalm 119 164 Commentary
Psalm 119:164 succinctly expresses a life fully saturated with the adoration of God, driven by a profound apprehension of His absolute righteousness. The psalmist's commitment to praise "seven times a day" transcends a literal count, signifying complete, perpetual, and perfect devotion—every moment, in every way. This hyperbole illustrates a life where acknowledging God's worth is an ingrained habit and an unceasing delight. The specific reason for this overflowing praise—"because of Your righteous judgments"—underscores that true worship is never baseless or sentimental; it springs from an informed understanding of who God is. His mishpatim (judgments/ordinances), reflecting His tsedek (righteousness), reveal Him as the ultimate source of order, justice, and truth. Therefore, the psalmist's life is a constant declaration that God’s character, as manifested in His decrees and actions, is impeccably just and inherently praiseworthy. This verse invites believers to cultivate a lifestyle of conscious, joyful, and continuous praise, anchored not in shifting emotions, but in the unwavering and perfect righteousness of God.
- Practical Usage Example: If facing injustice, remember God's righteous judgments and praise Him for His ultimate justice, rather than despairing.
- Practical Usage Example: Integrate moments of intentional praise into daily life (e.g., at meals, waking, before sleep), embodying the spirit of "seven times a day."