Psalm 119 165

Psalm 119:165 kjv

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Psalm 119:165 nkjv

Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

Psalm 119:165 niv

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 119:165 esv

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 119:165 nlt

Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 165 Meaning

Psalm 119:165 declares that those who profoundly love God's instruction (Torah) experience an abundant and comprehensive peace. This deep love for God's law results in spiritual stability and a divine protection that prevents them from encountering "stumbling blocks" or falling into sin and distress, even amidst challenges. It portrays a state of holistic well-being and security for the obedient heart.

Psalm 119 165 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem of 22 stanzas, each beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verse in the psalm, with only a few exceptions, directly references or alludes to God's word, law, decrees, statutes, commands, precepts, or testimonies. The psalm is an extended meditation on the nature, beauty, and efficacy of the Torah – God's divine instruction. Verse 165 falls within the final "Shin" stanza (verses 161-168), a section often associated with persecution and the Psalmist's steadfast trust in God's law despite external pressures. In this context, the great peace promised is not an absence of trouble, but a deep internal stability and lack of spiritual offense in the face of worldly turmoil, derived from a profound and active love for God's revealed will. Historically, for ancient Israel, the Torah was not merely a set of rules but the blueprint for life and covenant relationship with God. Living by it meant living in harmony with the Divine order, resulting in blessing and true prosperity (shalom).

Psalm 119 165 Word analysis

• Great Peace (Hebrew: שָׁל֤וֹם רָב֙, shalom rav):

  • Peace (shalom): Far more than the absence of conflict. Shalom denotes completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, security, tranquility, and harmonious relationships. It signifies a holistic flourishing, divinely given.
  • Great (rav): Implies abundance, vastness, much, or many. The peace described is not meager or fleeting but immense, full, and enduring. It's an overflowing peace.
  • Together, shalom rav points to a comprehensive, deep, and stable inner quietude and flourishing, irrespective of outward circumstances. It is a peace of divine origin, filling the whole person.

• have those (Hebrew: לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י, le’ohavei):

  • Translates literally as "to those who love" or "for lovers of."
  • The term emphasizes active, continuous, and affectionate devotion, not just intellectual agreement or occasional obedience. It describes a deep, personal affection and commitment. This love is dynamic and manifests in delighting in God's word.

• Your Law (Hebrew: תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ, toratecha):

  • Refers to God's instruction, teaching, or revelation, most commonly translated as "law." It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed will, not just legal codes, but His statutes, testimonies, precepts, and commandments.
  • It's an intimate address: "Your law," highlighting the personal relationship between God and His covenant people. It is perceived as a divine gift for human flourishing.

• and nothing causes them to stumble (Hebrew: וְאֵ֖ין לָ֣מוֹ מִכְשֽׁוֹל, v'ein lamo michshol):

  • And nothing (v'ein): A strong negation. It indicates absolute certainty; there is no spiritual "stumbling block."
  • Causes them to stumble (michshol): A "stumbling block," an obstacle, an occasion to fall, an offense. In a spiritual sense, it refers to temptations that lead to sin, or experiences that cause a loss of faith, or offense taken at God's ways, His people, or difficult circumstances. It denotes moral or spiritual failure, disruption, or apostasy.
  • This phrase emphasizes spiritual security and unwavering commitment. Those who love God's law are guided and protected from moral pitfalls and spiritual shipwreck. Their lives are stable and firmly anchored.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • Great peace have those who love Your law: This phrase establishes a direct, cause-and-effect relationship. Profound, internal peace is the direct consequence and reward for a heartfelt love and devotion to God's Word. It's not about outward prosperity alone, but inner stability.
  • And nothing causes them to stumble: This clause expands on the nature of that peace. It implies resilience, steadfastness, and divine preservation. Because they cherish God's law, they possess a moral compass and spiritual insight that helps them navigate temptations and trials without being derailed or falling into sin. This prevents despair, apostasy, or a profound loss of spiritual direction. The 'nothing' suggests an absolute safeguard.

Psalm 119 165 Bonus section

The concept of shalom being "great" or abundant signifies not just tranquility but also completeness and integrity in one's relationship with God. This verse stands in stark contrast to those who reject or ignore God's law, who are described elsewhere as troubled and unstable (Isa 57:21). The emphasis on "loving" God's law goes beyond mere intellectual understanding or formal observance; it speaks of an affectionate embrace and delight in God's ways, which is the prerequisite for experiencing such profound peace. This inner disposition transforms the law from a burden into a source of life and liberation, granting the ability to navigate life's complexities without being spiritually overthrown. The lack of stumbling speaks to God's preserving power in the lives of those consecrated to Him, affirming their security and ultimate stability in their spiritual walk.

Psalm 119 165 Commentary

Psalm 119:165 beautifully encapsulates the spiritual rewards of wholehearted devotion to God's divine instruction. The "great peace" is not superficial or fleeting but an abiding, comprehensive shalom that saturates every aspect of life. It arises not from an absence of external conflict or adversity, but from an inner alignment with God's perfect will, bringing calm and confidence even amidst turmoil. This deep-seated peace empowers the believer, preventing them from succumbing to temptations or losing faith. It's a testament to the guiding, protective, and life-giving power of God's word, serving as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Ps 119:105), effectively clearing away all spiritual stumbling blocks. For those who genuinely love the Law (Torah), they find in it a wellspring of wisdom, a bulwark against evil, and a clear path that leads to stability, righteousness, and profound communion with the Author of peace Himself. In the New Covenant, this truth culminates in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's Word (Jn 1:1), through whom true peace is established (Eph 2:14-16) and by following whom we will not walk in darkness (Jn 8:12).

Examples:

• A person facing financial ruin, yet remains peaceful because their trust is in God's provision and guidance through His Word.
• A believer enduring persecution, yet refusing to compromise their faith, finding deep inner calm amidst external threats.
• Someone grappling with a moral dilemma, but through prayer and meditation on scripture, discerns the right path and avoids stumbling into error.