Psalm 119 43

Psalm 119:43 kjv

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

Psalm 119:43 nkjv

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

Psalm 119:43 niv

Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.

Psalm 119:43 esv

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.

Psalm 119:43 nlt

Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 43 Meaning

Psalm 119:43 is a fervent prayer asking God not to remove the "word of truth" entirely from the psalmist's mouth. This plea stems from a deep hope and trust in God's righteous judgments and decrees, indicating that the ability to articulate and bear witness to divine truth is intricately linked to unwavering faith in God's justice and governance. It expresses a desire for continuous public confession and proclamation of God's word, especially in the face of challenges.

Psalm 119 43 Context

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, each section (strophe) of eight verses beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse (43) is part of the "Vav" (ו) section (verses 41-48), which often expresses a plea for God's steadfast love and salvation according to His word. Throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist continually expresses his devotion to God's law, statutes, testimonies, precepts, and judgments, portraying them as sources of life, guidance, comfort, and hope in the midst of affliction, scorn, and oppression from the ungodly. The immediate preceding verse (42) speaks of answering one's adversaries because the psalmist trusts in God's word. Verse 43 logically follows this by praying that the ability to articulate this truth never ceases, anchoring this prayer in his hope in God's righteous character and actions. Historically, the psalm reflects a devout individual's experience within ancient Israel, deeply committed to the Torah as divine revelation and struggling amidst social pressures or personal challenges that threaten faith or ability to bear witness. There's an implied contrast with those who speak lies or human traditions that depart from God's pure word.

Psalm 119 43 Word analysis

• And: (וְ / v') Connects this plea to the previous statements and ongoing prayer, showing a continuity in the psalmist's requests. It implies this petition is part of a larger, sustained prayer for divine support and guidance regarding God's Word.
• take not: (וְאַל־תַּצֵּל / v'al-tatztzel) A negative imperative, a plea (ʻal with imperfect verb). The verb root is נצל (natsal), meaning "to snatch away," "deliver," or "rescue." Here, it signifies a fervent request for God not to remove or withdraw something. The psalmist acknowledges God's power to grant or withhold the ability to speak.
• the word of truth: (דְּבַר־אֱמֶת / d'var-'emet)
  • word (דְּבַר / d'var): Refers to God's revelation, communication, decree, or promise. It signifies a distinct utterance or message from God.
  • truth (אֱמֶת / 'emet): Emphasizes the reliability, certainty, and faithfulness inherent in God's communication. It stands in contrast to falsehood, deception, and transient human ideas. God's word is objectively and eternally true. This phrase means more than just factual accuracy; it implies spiritual authenticity, reliability, and divine reality.
  The "word of truth" specifically denotes God's authentic revelation, embodying His character of faithfulness and righteousness. It is the solid ground upon which the psalmist stands.
• utterly: (עַד־מְאֹד / ʻad-m'od)
  • utterly ('ad): Can mean "up to," "until," or "as far as."
  • utterly (m'od): "Very," "exceedingly," "greatly."
  Together, the phrase intensifies the request, indicating a fear of complete and absolute deprivation of the ability to speak the truth. It's not just a temporary or partial withdrawal, but a complete silencing or a loss of clarity. The psalmist fears losing his confession and testimony altogether.
• out of my mouth: (מִפִּי / mippi) The physical organ of speech and confession. This signifies the external manifestation of belief. It highlights the importance of verbal proclamation and public witness, not merely internal understanding or private conviction. The prayer is about maintaining the ability to declare, articulate, defend, and teach God's truth.
• for: (כִּי / ki) A conjunction indicating reason or cause. It connects the plea to its underlying basis, showing the logical and spiritual foundation for the psalmist's request.
• I hope: (יִחַלְתִּי / yihalti) From the root יחל (yakhal), meaning "to wait," "hope," "expect," often with patience and confidence. This is a profound and steadfast trust, an enduring expectation. The past tense often implies a long-standing or settled state of being. The psalmist's hope is not a fleeting wish but a foundational, abiding disposition.
• in your judgments: (לְמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ / l'mishpateyka)
  • judgments (מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ / mishpateyka): Refers to God's just decrees, ordinances, and rulings, reflecting His perfect standard of righteousness. It encapsulates God's ethical principles, His administration of justice, and His authoritative decisions.
  The psalmist's hope is anchored not merely in an abstract concept of truth, but in God's active governance and unwavering commitment to what is right. This hope grounds his ability to speak the word of truth.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth": This entire phrase is a desperate plea for perseverance in prophetic and evangelistic witness. It's a prayer against losing spiritual articulation, whether due to personal failing, overwhelming external pressure (persecution), or a sense of divine abandonment. It acknowledges that the ability to speak God's truth comes from Him and can be withdrawn.
• "for I hope in your judgments": This is the theological grounding for the entire request. The psalmist's hope in God's perfect justice and sovereign rule is the reason he asks to maintain his voice for truth. It suggests that if he truly trusts in God's righteous governance, God will surely empower him to proclaim His truth, no matter the circumstances. This hope is the engine of his courage and confession.

Psalm 119 43 Bonus section

The act of speaking the "word of truth" out of one's mouth carries significant spiritual weight beyond mere verbalization. In ancient Near Eastern thought, words were believed to have inherent power. For the psalmist, uttering God's truth is an act of alliance with divine reality, an embrace of its transforming power, and a rejection of falsehood prevalent in his cultural milieu. The plea is, therefore, also a resistance against conformity to worldly narratives that deny or suppress God's authority. Furthermore, the emphasis on "my mouth" suggests an intimate connection between the inward belief and the outward confession, portraying an integrated spiritual life where truth resides within and is expressed without. This verse subtly underscores the reality that maintaining one's testimony in challenging times requires supernatural enablement, something God sovereignly grants or withholds based on His wisdom and our earnest petition.

Psalm 119 43 Commentary

Psalm 119:43 captures the earnest desire of a devout believer to retain the ability to confess and proclaim God's word without reservation. It is a prayer for continuous utterance of truth, fearing spiritual muteness in the face of the world's lies and opposition. The phrase "word of truth" signifies God's revelation in its purity and faithfulness, essential for life and guidance. The urgency conveyed by "utterly" highlights the psalmist's deep apprehension of a complete withdrawal of this divine enablement to speak. His grounding for this plea—"for I hope in your judgments"—reveals a profound trust that God, in His perfect righteousness and governance, will uphold those who stand for His truth. This verse is not merely a request for intellectual retention of truth, but for the enablement and boldness to vocalize it publicly and unapologetically. It teaches us that our confession of faith and proclamation of God's Word are acts of divine grace, and our ability to persist in them is rooted in our foundational hope in God's unswerving justice and truthfulness. This verse applies to Christians called to witness to Christ, speaking the gospel and living truthfully amidst societal pressures that seek to silence or distort divine revelation.