Psalm 119 93

Psalm 119:93 kjv

I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

Psalm 119:93 nkjv

I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.

Psalm 119:93 niv

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

Psalm 119:93 esv

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Psalm 119:93 nlt

I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 93 Meaning

Psalm 119:93 expresses the psalmist's unwavering commitment never to forget God's precepts. This resolve stems from a deeply personal experience: God's commands are the direct means through which his life has been preserved and sustained. It connects memory and obedience to divine instruction with the sustenance of life itself, both physically and spiritually.

Psalm 119 93 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem dedicating its entirety to extolling the excellence and life-giving power of God's Word. Each of its 22 eight-verse sections corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with every line within a section beginning with that letter. Verse 93 falls within the Lamedh (ל) section (verses 89-96). The preceding verse, Psalm 119:92, states, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." This sets the immediate context, revealing that the "life" preserved in verse 93 refers to deliverance from severe personal distress and imminent ruin. Historically, the centrality of the Torah to Israelite life signified God's covenant relationship and provision, promising blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience. This verse reaffirms the deeply practical and vital role of divine instruction in a believer's existence.

Psalm 119 93 Word analysis

• I will never forget:
  • Hebrew: לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּח (lo-eshkach). לֹא (lo) is a strong negative, meaning "no" or "not." אֶשְׁכַּח (eshkach) is the first person singular imperfect of שָׁכַח (shakhach), meaning "to forget," but also implying to abandon, neglect, or fail to remember a covenant. The imperfect tense expresses an ongoing or continuous action, thus "I will never forget" or "I will not forget (at any time)." This is a solemn pledge, an oath of perpetual mindfulness and fidelity. In biblical thought, forgetting God's commands often led to disobedience and calamity (e.g., Deut 8:11-14).
• Your precepts:
  • Hebrew: פִּקּוּדֶיךָ (piqudeykha). This is a plural noun (פִּקּוּדִים piqudim) with a second person singular possessive suffix ("your"). פִּקּוּד (piqqud) derives from the root פָּקַד (paqad), which means "to visit, inspect, appoint, assign, command, entrust." Thus, "precepts" are God's specific commands, ordinances, or duties entrusted to humanity, indicating divine oversight and detailed instructions for living. They are seen as meticulously appointed guidelines that shape the believer's conduct.
• for by them:
  • Hebrew: כִּי־בָם (ki-vam). כִּי (ki) here acts as a causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." בָם (bam) is the preposition בְּ (be-) meaning "by" or "in," affixed to the pronominal suffix הֵם (hem) meaning "them" (referring to the precepts). This phrase highlights the instrumental nature of God's precepts—they are the direct means or agent through which the divine action occurred.
• You have preserved my life:
  • Hebrew: חִיִּיתָנִי (chiyyitani). This is a Hiphil perfect, second person masculine singular, from the root חָיָה (chayah), meaning "to live, be alive, revive, recover." The Hiphil stem is causative, meaning "to cause to live," "to keep alive," "to preserve life," or "to quicken." The suffix נִי (-ni) means "me." This is a profound statement of divine intervention, indicating that God, through His precepts, has rescued the psalmist from mortal danger or spiritual death, and granted life or renewed vitality. The life being "preserved" is not merely physical existence but includes spiritual sustenance and deliverance from desperate circumstances, as suggested by the immediate context of affliction in Psalm 119:92.

Words-group Analysis:

• "I will never forget Your precepts": This phrase conveys a steadfast and deeply intentional commitment. It's a personal vow of faithfulness and dedication, reflecting a heart resolved to retain and adhere to God's specific commands, understanding that neglecting them equates to forgetting God Himself.
• "for by them You have preserved my life": This explains the motivation for the unwavering commitment. It's not a commitment out of obligation alone, but from personal experience of God's precepts bringing actual, tangible salvation or sustenance. It's a testament to the precepts' efficacy, demonstrating their power to save and revive, thus giving profound meaning and reason to the psalmist's devotion.

Psalm 119 93 Bonus Section

• The theme of God's Word giving "life" runs throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, obeying God's Law was explicitly linked to living long in the promised land (Deut 30:19-20). In the New Testament, this truth is ultimately embodied in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh and the source of eternal life (John 1:1, 4; John 14:6). His teachings, as revealed in the Gospels, are described as spirit and life (John 6:63).
• The Psalmists often equate spiritual renewal or revival with "life" (chayah). This encompasses physical health, deliverance from enemies, and most significantly, a vibrant relationship with God. The commitment to remember is therefore a commitment to cling to this spiritual vitality offered through God's precepts.
• This verse underscores the deeply personal relationship the psalmist has with God and His Word. It's not merely an academic appreciation but a heartfelt acknowledgment of salvation directly experienced through the application of divine truths.

Psalm 119 93 Commentary

Psalm 119:93 distills a fundamental biblical truth: God's Word is inherently life-giving. The psalmist's resolve to "never forget" God's precepts springs from a profound, experienced reality that these divine instructions were not abstract rules, but instruments of his very survival and spiritual vitality. The phrase "preserved my life" signifies more than merely extending days; it implies rescue from death, spiritual restoration, and renewal, especially against the backdrop of suffering (as hinted in Ps 119:92).

This verse teaches that active remembrance of God's commands is crucial for life. To forget them is akin to forsaking the source of life. The psalmist recognizes that his deliverance from perishing was a direct result of the life-giving power contained within God's precepts. This points to the practical, rather than merely theoretical, value of divine law for human existence. It affirms God's commands as gracious gifts that maintain flourishing and bring deliverance from distress, culminating in a response of profound gratitude and commitment.