Psalm 119 35

Psalm 119:35 kjv

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Psalm 119:35 nkjv

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.

Psalm 119:35 niv

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

Psalm 119:35 esv

Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

Psalm 119:35 nlt

Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 35 Meaning

Psalm 119:35 is a heartfelt prayer to God, requesting divine enablement to live in accordance with His divine instructions. The psalmist expresses a deep desire to be led by God in the specific way of His commandments, motivated by a profound inner joy and genuine love for these very commands. It underscores that true obedience springs from delight in God's revealed will, not from a sense of burden or obligation. This verse highlights the believer's dependence on God's active guidance combined with their personal desire for righteousness.

Psalm 119 35 Context

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, meticulously structured with 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Within each stanza, every verse typically begins with the same Hebrew letter. This psalm is an extraordinary meditation on and devotion to God's law, word, precepts, statutes, testimonies, and commandments, using these terms almost interchangeably to refer to God's revealed truth. Each of its 176 verses expresses profound love for, delight in, and reliance upon the divine instruction.

Verse 35 is part of the fifth stanza, the "He" (ה) section (verses 33-40). This section is marked by a series of earnest prayers for understanding, guidance, and spiritual resolve in the midst of adversity or temptation. The psalmist implores God for a deep and transformative engagement with His word, moving beyond mere intellectual knowledge to a lived experience. Verse 35 specifically builds upon the previous verse's request for understanding to "keep your law with my whole heart," making the crucial connection between God's enabling and the believer's inner desire. Historically and culturally, for ancient Israelites, adherence to Torah was foundational to their covenant identity and flourishing, defining their very existence as God's chosen people, contrasting sharply with the arbitrary or ungodly ways of surrounding nations.

Psalm 119 35 Word analysis

• Make me walk (הַדְרִיכֵ֙נִי֙ - hadrīḵēnî): This is a Hiphil imperative form of the Hebrew verb dārak (דרך), which means "to tread," "to walk," "to lead," or "to direct." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action: "cause me to walk" or "direct my steps." This is a crucial element, signifying that the psalmist is not claiming self-sufficiency in obedience, but actively appealing to God for divine intervention and guidance. It's a prayer for active enablement, recognizing that spiritual movement and alignment with God's will require His sovereign hand. It implies a dynamic, ongoing process of following God, not a one-time event.
• in the path (בְּנָתִ֣יב - bə-nāṯîḇ): The Hebrew word nāṯîḇ refers to a "path" or "road," often implying a well-worn, established, or even difficult way. It signifies a specific, chosen course of action or lifestyle. It emphasizes that there is a defined way that belongs to God, distinct from any other. The use of "the path" rather than "a path" denotes singularity and exclusivity of God's chosen way of living.
• of Your commandments (מִצְוֹתֶ֗יךָ - miṣwōṯeḵā): The term miṣwōṯ (plural of mitzvah) directly translates to "commandments" or "ordinances." These are God's divine instructions, declarations of His will. They are not merely suggestions but authoritative directives that originate from the Creator and Lord. In Psalm 119, "commandments" is one of the various synonymous terms for God's revealed law (Torah), encompassing all of His precepts, statutes, and testimonies, emphasizing His authority and guidance over human conduct and life.
• for (כִּ֭י - kî): This Hebrew particle serves as a conjunction meaning "because," "for," "indeed," or "surely." Here, it explicitly links the request for divine guidance ("Make me walk") to the psalmist's profound motivation or reason ("for in them I delight"). It presents the delight as the grounds or cause for the desire to walk in the commandments, showing that obedience is not grudging but deeply willed.
• in them (בָּהֶ֥ם - bāhem): This pronoun clearly refers back to "Your commandments." It stresses that the delight is precisely in the divine precepts themselves, not in a general feeling or a byproduct of external conformity. The commands are the object of the psalmist's affection.
• I delight (חָפָ֑צְתִּי - ḥāfāṣtî): From the verb ḥāfaṣ (חפץ), meaning "to take pleasure in," "to desire," "to find favor in," or "to delight in." The perfect tense in Hebrew here expresses a settled, enduring state or disposition, implying a deep and consistent inclination of the heart. This "delight" is not a fleeting emotion but a profound internal affinity for God's law. It reflects a heart transformed by God, where His ways are loved and longed for, distinguishing true, God-honoring obedience from mere outward ritual or obligation. It points to a willing and eager submission that flows from internal agreement with God's perfect will.

• "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments": This phrase embodies the core prayer. It's an admission of human insufficiency and a plea for divine intervention. It highlights that the spiritual life is a directed walk, not a static state or an aimless wandering. The path of God's commandments is the specific way, demanding precision and adherence. The "path" suggests an ongoing journey, a way of life, not just a destination.
• "for in them I delight": This crucial clause provides the motivation for the prayer. The psalmist's delight is the internal spring from which the desire for obedience flows. It reveals a heart that sees God's commands not as burdens but as sources of joy, wisdom, and life. This connection between delight and desire for obedience is vital; it is a mark of genuine faith and a spiritual regeneration where one's will aligns with God's. It ensures that the "walking" is not forced but joyfully embraced.

Psalm 119 35 Bonus section

Psalm 119, with its alphabetical structure, suggests a comprehensive, lifelong devotion to God's word, covering every facet of life from "aleph" to "tav." This particular verse, located within the "He" section, signifies the breath or spirit of life; it’s a living request for vivification by God's word. The contrast implicit in "path of your commandments" is with other paths—the crooked paths of wickedness, self-will, or worldly wisdom, which ultimately lead to destruction. The prayer for guidance ("Make me walk") alongside the internal motivation ("I delight") is a perfect synergy of God's grace and human response, a testament to true conversion and sanctification. It exemplifies that genuine Christian life is not merely adhering to a list of rules but engaging in a joy-filled journey, led by God, along the road He has clearly marked for abundant living.

Psalm 119 35 Commentary

Psalm 119:35 reveals a profound spiritual dynamic: genuine obedience is birthed from sincere delight in God's ways, and this obedience requires divine enablement. The psalmist acknowledges that while his heart is inclined towards God's commandments—he truly delights in them—he still requires God's active intervention to "make" him walk in that path. This is a vital understanding for believers: our internal desire to follow God, though real and precious, is insufficient without His continued guidance and empowering grace. It is a prayer for Spirit-led obedience, demonstrating that a heart transformed by God longs for His direction. The commands are viewed not as onerous regulations but as the very source of joy and true life, making the walk a pleasure rather than a burden. This verse calls believers to pray for an experiential journey guided by God's truth, fueled by an inner joy in His character as revealed in His commands.