Psalm 119 20

Psalm 119:20 kjv

My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

Psalm 119:20 nkjv

My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.

Psalm 119:20 niv

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

Psalm 119:20 esv

My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Psalm 119:20 nlt

I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 20 Meaning

Psalm 119:20 expresses the Psalmist's intense and continuous internal longing for God's righteous judgments and commands. This desire is not superficial but so profound that it feels as if his very being, his soul, is consumed by this yearning, persistent and unwavering. It is a deep, wholehearted passion for divine truth and righteousness revealed in God's law.

Psalm 119 20 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem composed of 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet and containing eight verses beginning with that letter. The central theme throughout is the absolute supremacy, perfection, and benefit of God's Word (referred to by various synonyms like law, statutes, decrees, commandments, rules, precepts, testimonies, promises). Verse 20 is part of the "Daleth" (ד) section (verses 17-24), which begins with a plea for God to deal bountifully with the Psalmist (v. 17) so that he may keep God's word. This stanza also highlights the desire for spiritual understanding (v. 18), acknowledging one's temporary status on earth (v. 19), and confessing an inner spiritual anguish when alienated from God's judgments. The verse thus expresses an essential facet of true devotion within this grand ode to God's divine revelation, underscoring the intimate, personal longing of the individual for divine guidance in a world where God's ways are often despised.

Psalm 119 20 Word analysis

• My soul (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): This Hebrew term refers not merely to an emotional faculty but to the entire inner person, the very seat of life, will, and being. It encompasses one's vital essence, appetites, affections, and character. Thus, the longing expressed is total, not just a passing feeling. It indicates the entire individual is wrapped up in this pursuit.
• is consumed (גָּרְסָה, gārĕsāh): The root means to 'grind' or 'crush'. Here, in a figurative sense, it implies being worn down or spent by a profound emotional state, particularly an intense longing. It signifies an overwhelming, almost painful yearning. The soul is not just desiring, but being entirely overcome by this fervent longing, almost aching due to the strength of its desire. It suggests that this longing dictates the internal landscape of the Psalmist.
• with longing (לְתַאֲבָה, lə-ṯaʾăvāh): While ta'avah can sometimes denote a negative, sinful craving (e.g., in reference to lust), here it clearly describes a fervent, positive, spiritual desire. The context of God's rules redefines the nature of this "longing," transforming it from potentially errant appetite to righteous zeal. It speaks to a deep-seated appetite that must be satisfied.
• for your rules (מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ, mishpatékha): Mishpatim refers to God's judgments, decrees, or ordinances. These are the principles by which God governs and reveals His righteousness. The Psalmist doesn't long for an abstract idea of God, but specifically for the tangible expression of His character and will as found in His commandments. It indicates a longing for moral order and divine truth.
• at all times (בְכָל־עֵת, bə-ḵāl-ʿēṯ): This phrase emphasizes the ceaseless, unwavering, and constant nature of this longing. It is not an intermittent or occasional desire but a perpetual state of the heart. This continuous aspect underlines the depth and commitment of the Psalmist's devotion, showing that God's truth is a consistent focus of his innermost being.

Word-groups analysis

• "My soul is consumed": This powerful phrase conveys an overwhelming inner experience. It highlights that the yearning for God's law isn't a mere intellectual assent or casual preference, but a deep-seated, passionate spiritual need that deeply affects one's very existence. The soul is so preoccupied and influenced by this desire that it feels depleted or overcome, much like one is consumed by an intense fire or emotion.
• "with longing for your rules": This specifies the object and nature of the intense spiritual appetite. It is not a vague longing for happiness or success, but a focused, fervent desire for the specific and practical application of God's revealed will in life. This union of longing with "rules" indicates a proactive desire for obedience, rooted in love for the divine Giver of the law, rather than legalistic obligation.
• "at all times": This temporal modifier reinforces the perpetual and abiding quality of this devotion. It points to a life continually oriented towards God's law, contrasting with transient fascinations or desires. It signifies consistency, a hallmark of genuine faith, showing that God's truth is never far from the Psalmist's deepest thoughts and affections. This steady longing suggests a spiritual discipline and an enduring love for divine order.

Psalm 119 20 Bonus section

The intensity of the "consumed" (or "broken/crushed" as some versions translate) emphasizes that spiritual hunger for God's word is not always comfortable. It can be an agonizing, persistent craving, especially when one feels distant from divine truth or observes its disregard in the world. This yearning often arises from an understanding of life's complexities and the dire need for God's clear guidance amidst confusion. The verse also implicitly contrasts the soul's healthy consumption by God's truth with the unhealthy consumption by worldly desires or destructive passions, suggesting a redirecting of our fundamental human longing toward its proper, divine object. The Psalmist, being a human like us, expresses the ultimate longing of a heart fully oriented towards its Creator and His perfect wisdom. This relentless pursuit suggests that encountering God's word brings both great delight and an even greater hunger for more of Him.

Psalm 119 20 Commentary

Psalm 119:20 paints a vivid picture of a profound and consuming spiritual appetite. The Psalmist's declaration that his "soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times" speaks to an intensity far beyond casual interest. This isn't just an emotion; it is an orientation of his entire being—his intellect, will, and affections—towards God's righteous decrees. The Hebrew word often translated "consumed" conveys an aching, an being worn down by the strength of this yearning, revealing how desperately the believer desires alignment with divine truth and justice. This persistent, unceasing desire (expressed by "at all times") elevates God's "rules" (His revealed judgments and way of life) to the central governing principle of the Psalmist's inner world. It highlights a heart that truly loves what God loves and grieves over deviation from divine standards. This verse exemplifies a Christ-like desire for the Father's will and foreshadows the Spirit's work in writing God's law upon the hearts of believers under the New Covenant. It challenges us to examine the true objects of our own soul's deepest longing.

Examples:

• A prophet whose heart aches for their nation to return to God's ways.
• A believer whose inner joy is directly proportional to their communion with and obedience to God's word.
• A seeker of truth relentlessly pursuing spiritual understanding.