Psalm 119 176

Psalm 119:176 kjv

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Psalm 119:176 nkjv

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

Psalm 119:176 niv

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119:176 esv

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:176 nlt

I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 176 Meaning

Psalm 119:176 is the final verse of the longest psalm in the Bible, a culminating cry from the psalmist. It expresses a heartfelt confession of human fallibility and a humble plea for divine intervention. The psalmist acknowledges that he has spiritually strayed from the path of God’s commandments, likening himself to a lost sheep that wanders aimlessly. Despite this confessed wandering, he asserts his continuous devotion and non-forgetfulness of God's statutes, making this very devotion the basis for his desperate plea for God to seek and restore him, as a shepherd seeks his lost sheep. It captures the paradox of a soul committed to God's law yet prone to err, expressing both deep desire for obedience and profound reliance on God's pursuing grace.

Psalm 119 176 Context

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is an acrostic poem structured around the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 sections, corresponding to a letter, contains eight verses, all starting with that letter in the original Hebrew, and each verse typically uses one of the psalm's numerous synonyms for God's law (e.g., decrees, statutes, precepts, commands, judgments, word). The overarching theme is an unwavering devotion to God’s perfect, life-giving, and true law, demonstrating the psalmist’s deep love for and reliance upon God's written Word as his guide, comfort, and delight.

Verse 176 concludes the entire psalm, specifically the "Tav" (ת) section. After proclaiming his profound commitment, steadfast obedience (despite opposition), and unfailing trust in God's Word throughout 175 verses, the psalmist ends with a paradox. He doesn't conclude with triumphantly boasting of perfect adherence but with a humble confession of having strayed and a fervent plea for God's restorative mercy. This reflects a profound understanding of both human fallibility and God's faithful nature as a shepherd who seeks His lost sheep, providing a realistic and deeply moving climax to a psalm extolling the divine law.

Psalm 119 176 Word analysis

• I have gone astray (תָּעִיתִי, ta'iti): Derived from the Hebrew verb ta'ah (תעה), meaning "to wander, err, go astray, stray, stagger." This specific form is the perfect tense, first person common singular, indicating a completed action: "I have indeed wandered" or "I am one who has strayed." It implies not just an accidental deviation but a consistent tendency or a definite act of departure from the right path, suggesting moral or spiritual straying from God's way.
• like a lost sheep (כְּשֶׂה אֹבֵד, k'seh oved):
  • k'seh (כְּשֶׂה): "like a sheep." The particle k' means "like" or "as." Seh (שֶׂה) is the common word for a sheep or lamb. The metaphor highlights the sheep's characteristic tendency to wander aimlessly and its complete helplessness and vulnerability once separated from the shepherd and the flock.
  • oved (אֹבֵד): "lost, perishing." This is the Qal active participle of abad (אבד), meaning "to be lost, perish, be destroyed." The active participle emphasizes the current state of being lost and the inherent danger associated with that state, implying a helpless condition where self-rescue is impossible.
  The combined phrase underscores profound vulnerability and an urgent need for rescue. It is a powerful, self-deprecating analogy, recognizing one's complete dependence on God.
• seek Your servant (בַקֵּשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ, bakeshavdeka):
  • bakeshav (בַקֵּשׁ): "seek, search diligently, request." This is the Piel imperative, second person masculine singular, urging a direct and intensive action from God. The Piel stem emphasizes the strong, urgent nature of the plea—"please diligently seek" or "earnestly search."
  • avdekha (עַבְדֶּךָ): "Your servant." This term highlights the relationship of loyal service and allegiance to God. By calling himself God's "servant," the psalmist appeals to the covenant relationship, implying he is under God's care and ownership despite his wandering. It’s an act of humble submission and acknowledgement of divine authority.
  This phrase represents a cry for active divine intervention, not merely a desire for restoration but a plea for God Himself to initiate the rescue.
• for (כִּי, ki): This conjunction acts as a causal "because" or "for," connecting the plea to the justification that follows. It presents the reason why God should seek His servant.
• I do not forget (לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי, lo shakhachti):
  • lo (לֹא): "not." A definitive negation.
  • shakhachti (שָׁכָחְתִּי): "I have forgotten." This is the perfect tense, first person common singular of shakach (שׁכח), meaning "to forget, ignore, cease to care for." The phrase "I do not forget" implies not a momentary lapse of memory, but a sustained, deliberate retention of God's Word in heart and mind. This suggests his straying is not from a lack of knowledge or affection for the law, but perhaps due to weakness, distraction, or temptation.
• Your commandments (מִצְוֹתֶיךָ, mitzvoteykha): One of the key terms throughout Psalm 119 referring to God's divine instructions, precepts, and moral laws. The suffix -eykha means "Your" (masculine singular), emphasizing the divine origin and authority of the commands. The psalmist asserts his foundational commitment and intellectual retention of God’s instructions as the basis for his plea for grace despite his acknowledged deviation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "I have gone astray like a lost sheep": This initial phrase encapsulates profound vulnerability and human fallibility. It’s a self-diagnosis of being directionless and helpless, requiring external rescue. This imagery resonated deeply with the ancient Israelite audience familiar with pastoral life and the dependence of sheep on their shepherd.
• "seek Your servant": This shifts the focus from the psalmist's failing to God's unfailing love and initiative. It's a prayer born of humility and dependence, an urgent request for God's active pursuit and restoration. It is not an attempt to find the way back alone, but a humble call for God to do what only He can.
• "for I do not forget Your commandments": This serves as the powerful justification or plea. It is not forgotten commandments that caused the straying, but perhaps human weakness despite the knowledge. This is a bold claim, declaring continued allegiance and mental retention of God's law. This paradox implies that even those who deeply know and cherish God's Word can wander, necessitating ongoing divine grace and vigilance. The plea is founded not on perfect obedience, but on a continued heart-level allegiance to God's Word.

Psalm 119 176 Bonus section

This final verse serves as an enduring message of hope and humility. It reminds believers that spiritual straying is a universal human experience, not reserved for those ignorant of God's Word. The psalmist, arguably one of the most fervent lovers of God's law in all of Scripture, openly confesses this tendency, validating the experience of many throughout history. The strength of his plea lies not in his own flawless performance, but in God's nature as the Divine Shepherd. It’s an acknowledgement that the preservation of one's soul, even for those deeply committed to truth, ultimately rests in God's merciful pursuit. This conclusion echoes Christ's mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and is a poignant reminder that salvation and restoration are not self-generated, but are always a result of God's initiating grace.

Psalm 119 176 Commentary

Psalm 119:176 serves as a profoundly moving capstone to the psalmist's expansive meditation on God's law. It's a poignant confession of personal failing even amidst a life dedicated to divine statutes. The psalmist, having consistently declared his unwavering love and adherence to God’s Word throughout 175 verses, now humbly admits, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep." This honest admission is crucial; it reflects a realistic understanding of human nature, prone to wander from the righteous path even with the best intentions and knowledge of God's will.

The imagery of the "lost sheep" is both ancient and powerful, emphasizing helplessness and complete dependence on a shepherd. A sheep that strays is unable to find its way back independently; it is vulnerable to danger and perishes unless actively sought. This analogy beautifully expresses the psalmist's reliance on God's initiative, moving beyond self-reproach to a fervent plea: "seek Your servant." He understands that restoration is not merely a matter of self-correction but requires God’s merciful, proactive pursuit.

The verse's concluding clause, "for I do not forget Your commandments," presents a theological tension and powerful plea. The "for" (כִּי) connects his spiritual straying to his ongoing, deep knowledge and reverence for God's Word. It is not forgetfulness of God's commands that caused his wandering, but perhaps human frailty, the enticement of sin, or external pressures. His continued adherence in heart and mind becomes the humble basis for his cry for help—a servant, albeit erring, who still knows and treasures his Master's instructions, and therefore appeals to God's covenant faithfulness to His own. It’s a profound prayer for ongoing grace and vigilance, revealing that even the most devoted believers need constant divine seeking and guidance to remain on the path of righteousness. It underscores that spiritual fidelity is not achieved solely through human effort, but sustained through God's unfailing love and active care for His own.

Examples:

• A Christian who, despite knowing biblical principles about finances, finds themselves in debt due to impulsive spending, crying out to God for guidance and restoration, knowing His Word guides provision.
• A pastor or church leader who, after years of serving God and studying Scripture, realizes a subtle pride or a drifting in their personal spiritual discipline, earnestly praying for God to reclaim their heart and refocus their service, relying on their love for His truth.
• An individual struggling with a recurring sin, who despises the sin but continues to fall, humbly seeking God's power and intervention, recognizing their memory of God's righteous standard.