Psalm 119:56 kjv
This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
Psalm 119:56 nkjv
This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.
Psalm 119:56 niv
This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
Psalm 119:56 esv
This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.
Psalm 119:56 nlt
This is how I spend my life:
obeying your commandments.
Psalm 119 56 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blessings of Obedience | ||
| Deut 28:1-2 | "If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings shall come upon you." | Obedience brings blessings. |
| Ps 1:1-3 | "Blessed is the man... his delight is in the law of the LORD... he is like a tree..." | Blessing for delighting in God's law. |
| Ps 19:11 | "Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." | Great reward in keeping God's statutes. |
| Ps 112:1-3 | "Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments!" | Blessings on those who delight in commands. |
| Prov 3:1-2 | "My son, do not forget my teaching... for length of days and years of life..." | Keeping commandments extends life and peace. |
| Jas 1:25 | "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein... shall be blessed." | Doers of the law are blessed in their deeds. |
| Rev 22:14 | "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life..." | Obedience grants access to life. |
| Comfort & Hope from the Word | ||
| Ps 119:49-50 | "Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction." | God's word is the source of hope and comfort. |
| Ps 119:52 | "I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself." | Remembering God's past judgments brings comfort. |
| Rom 15:4 | "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." | Scripture provides comfort and hope. |
| 2 Cor 1:3-4 | "God of all comfort... who comforteth us in all our tribulation." | God is the source of all comfort. |
| Keeping & Guarding the Word | ||
| Ps 17:4 | "Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer." | Guarded by God's word from destruction. |
| Prov 4:4 | "Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live." | Retain and keep commandments for life. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If ye love me, keep my commandments." | Keeping commandments as a sign of love. |
| Jn 14:21 | "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father." | Obedience leads to divine love. |
| Jn 15:10 | "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love." | Abiding in God's love through obedience. |
| 1 Jn 2:3-4 | "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." | Knowing God by keeping His commands. |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." | Love for God expressed by keeping commands. |
| Righteousness & Way of Life | ||
| Deut 6:25 | "And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments..." | Doing commandments counted as righteousness. |
| Psa 119:9 | "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word." | Purity maintained by guarding God's word. |
| Lk 11:28 | "But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." | Blessings on those who hear and keep God's word. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 56 Meaning
Psalm 119:56 declares that the psalmist's sustained blessings, inherent comfort, or foundational security stemmed directly from their diligent and faithful adherence to God's specific commands. It presents a clear cause-and-effect principle: living according to divine precepts is the source of a profound and lasting benefit in one's life.
Psalm 119 56 Context
Psalm 119:56 concludes the "Zayin" section (verses 49-56) of this extensive acrostic psalm. This section focuses on the psalmist's deep reliance on God's word for hope, comfort in affliction, and a steady orientation in life. Preceding verses specifically mention God's promise as a source of hope (v.49), comfort in sorrow (v.50), and the act of remembering God's judgments (v.52) even through the night (v.55). Verse 56 serves as a climactic summary, stating the practical and profound result of such sustained devotion and adherence. Throughout Psalm 119, the author expresses an unparalleled love for God's divine Law (Torah), presented through its various synonyms, viewing it not as a burden but as life-giving wisdom, light, and instruction for every aspect of existence. Historically, such devotion to the Law was central to Israelite identity and covenant faithfulness, especially in periods of distress or challenge.
Word Analysis
- This (זֹאת - Zo't): A feminine singular demonstrative pronoun. It points back to a reality, blessing, or comfort that the psalmist has experienced. Given the context of the "Zayin" section (verses 49-55), "this" likely refers to the hope, comfort in affliction, the ability to find songs even in sojourning, and the peace derived from remembering God's name and keeping His law throughout the night. It is the tangible, inward benefit.
- I had / has been mine (הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֫י - hayetah-li): Composed of the verb הָיָה (hayah), "to be, become," in the perfect tense (it "was" or "has been"), and the preposition לִּ֫י (li), "to me, for me, mine." This conveys a completed action with enduring results, or a persistent state. It means something has fundamentally become the psalmist's possession, portion, or abiding reality, emphasizing its certainty and continuance.
- because (כִּ֥י - ki): A crucial causal conjunction meaning "because," "for," or "indeed." It establishes a direct, undeniable link of cause and effect between the preceding statement ("this I had") and the following action ("I kept Your precepts").
- Your precepts (פִקּוּדֶ֥יךָ - piqqudey-kha): From the Hebrew word פִּקּוּד (piqqud), meaning "precepts" or "ordinances." These are God's specific, carefully laid out instructions and appointments for life, emphasizing His detailed guidance. They signify God's watchful care and particular directives for His people's conduct. The suffix "-kha" means "your," denoting God's personal ownership and authorship of these commands.
- I kept / observed (נָצָֽרְתִּי - natzarti): From the root נָצַר (natzar), meaning "to watch, guard, preserve, keep, cherish." In the first person singular perfect tense, it describes a personal, deliberate, and sustained action of safeguarding, holding dear, and diligently obeying. This is not casual compliance but an active, protective stewardship of God's Word, treating it as an invaluable treasure to be preserved and lived by.
Words-group Analysis
- "This I had": This phrase points to a deeply personal and experienced reality—a fundamental blessing, comfort, or stable foundation within the psalmist's life. It's not a mere theoretical knowledge but a felt possession.
- "because I kept Your precepts": This clause directly identifies the specific reason for that possession. The benefits described ("this") are a direct consequence of an intentional, sustained, and diligent observance of God's precise commands, underscoring that obedience is intrinsically linked to blessing.
Psalm 119 56 Bonus section
- The use of "Zot" (This) at the beginning connects the conclusion of the Zayin stanza to the preceding expressions of finding hope and comfort in God's word despite the hardships.
- The "perfect tense" for "had" (hayetah) and "kept" (natzarti) denotes actions completed in the past with ongoing results and states of being that continue into the present, reinforcing the enduring nature of the blessing.
- This verse stands as a testament against any perception of God's law as oppressive; rather, it portrays the law as the very wellspring of enduring good and solace for the soul.
- It serves as a deeply personal declaration, moving from a general statement of truth to the psalmist's individual experience and testimony.
Psalm 119 56 Commentary
Psalm 119:56 powerfully encapsulates a cornerstone of biblical truth: the profound blessings and genuine comfort in a believer's life flow directly from a devoted and vigilant adherence to God's divine commands. The "this" signifies an abiding good – be it inner peace, strength in adversity, a heritage of well-being, or the steadying influence of God's presence – a blessing uniquely secured through spiritual discipline. The word "kept" (natzar) conveys far more than superficial compliance; it speaks of guarding God's precepts as one would a priceless jewel, diligently protecting them, treasuring them, and living by them as the most valuable guide for life. This verse assures the faithful that God's detailed instructions are not arbitrary burdens but the very blueprints for a flourishing existence, and to embrace them wholly is to inherit a tangible, divinely appointed good.