Psalm 119:98 kjv
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
Psalm 119:98 nkjv
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me.
Psalm 119:98 niv
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
Psalm 119:98 esv
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
Psalm 119:98 nlt
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
Psalm 119 98 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 1:2-3 | But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water... | Delight in God's law brings flourishing. |
| Jos 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night... For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. | Meditation on the law brings prosperity and success. |
| Deut 4:6 | Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ | Obedience to statutes reveals national wisdom. |
| Prov 2:6-7 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright... | God is the ultimate source of wisdom for the upright. |
| Jas 1:25 | But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. | Doing the law brings blessing and freedom. |
| Jn 8:31-32 | So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” | Abiding in Christ's word brings truth and freedom. |
| 2 Tim 3:15-17 | ...and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus... for training in righteousness... | Scriptures provide wisdom for salvation and righteous living. |
| Ps 19:7-8 | The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple... | God's law makes even the simple wise. |
| Ps 119:104 | Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. | Precepts provide understanding and hatred of error. |
| Ps 119:130 | The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. | God's words illuminate and give understanding. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Wisdom begins with revering God. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Trust in God, not self, for guidance. |
| 1 Cor 1:25 | For the foolishness of God is wiser than men's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than men's strength. | God's 'foolishness' surpasses human wisdom. |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption... | Christ Himself is our wisdom from God. |
| Eph 6:11-12, 17 | Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil... Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. | God's word is a defensive and offensive spiritual weapon. |
| Mt 7:24-25 | “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house... | Obedience to words of Christ ensures stability. |
| Isa 30:21 | And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. | God's voice guides the path of the obedient. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the mighty man boast in his might, nor the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | True boast is in knowing God, not human attributes. |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Renewal of mind by God's truth brings discernment. |
| Ps 25:4-5 | Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. | Prayer for God's teaching and leading. |
| Prov 4:7 | The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. | Wisdom is foundational and primary. |
| Col 2:2-3 | ...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. | All wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 98 Meaning
Psalm 119:98 declares that divine wisdom, surpassing that of any adversary, is granted to the believer through God's commandments. This superior understanding and discernment come not from human intellect or worldly schemes, but as a direct result of the perpetual and abiding presence of God's unchanging word in one's life. The continuous meditation upon and application of His instructions empower the believer with insight that overcomes the craftiness of enemies.
Psalm 119 98 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem dedicating all its 176 verses to the celebration, praise, and passionate devotion to God's law, word, statutes, decrees, precepts, commandments, testimonies, and ordinances (all used synonymously for divine revelation). Each stanza (eight verses) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 98 is part of the 'Mem' section (verses 97-104), where the Psalmist expresses profound love for God's law, indicating a continuous meditation ("O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day long," Ps 119:97). This context establishes that the wisdom gained is not a sporadic event but a continuous byproduct of consistent engagement with God's Word, and that this divine guidance equips the psalmist against real-world opposition. The historical context reflects a life of devotion to Yahweh's law amidst surrounding cultures and potential adversaries who often followed different gods, customs, and forms of wisdom (e.g., relying on military might or deceptive tactics), contrasting human reliance with divine truth.
Psalm 119 98 Word analysis
You make me wiser (תְּחַכְּמֵנִי - t'chak'k'meni): This Hebrew verb form indicates direct divine causation. It is not the Psalmist's inherent intellectual capacity or self-effort that yields this wisdom, but God's active impartation. The root word chakám (חָכַם) refers to a practical, skillful wisdom that applies knowledge to life situations, leading to discernment and effective action. This is distinct from mere intellectual accumulation; it is applied, ethical, and practical insight.
than my enemies (מִאֹיְבַי - mi'oyevay): This comparative phrase signifies that God's wisdom provides a tangible, practical advantage over those who oppose the believer. Enemies here can represent literal adversaries, false teachings, worldly philosophies, or even the subtle temptations and cunning of sin. The wisdom granted by God's law equips the believer to discern the schemes and counter them effectively, leading to triumph in the face of spiritual or relational conflict.
through your commandments (מִצְוֹתֶיךָ - mitzvoteka): Mitzvot (commandments) refers to God's specific instructions, decrees, and revealed will. They are the means by which God imparts wisdom. This implies that true wisdom is not esoteric or self-derived but is found concretely within the revealed will of God as laid out in His word. The application of these divine guidelines to life situations grants superior insight.
for they are ever with me (כִּי לְעוֹלָם הִיא לִי - ki l'olam hiy li): This phrase provides the reason for the divine wisdom.
- "for" (כִּי - ki): Establishes a causal link.
- "ever" (לְעוֹלָם - l'olam): Denotes perpetuity, eternally, constantly. It means the commandments are not just a temporary reference but an abiding presence in the life of the Psalmist. This permanence implies continuous meditation, internalization, memorization, and practical application.
- "with me" (לִי - li): Implies deep intimacy and ownership. The commandments are internalized, personal, and continuously referred to, becoming an integral part of one's consciousness and daily walk, not merely an external set of rules.
Words-group analysis:
- "You make me wiser...through your commandments": This highlights the divine initiative and the instrumental role of God's Word. It's a testament to God's active involvement in the believer's life, empowering them not through innate abilities but through His revelation. The wisdom is therefore divine, infallible, and trustworthy.
- "than my enemies, for they are ever with me": This grouping connects the practical benefit (outwitting enemies) directly to the constant presence and internalization of God's Word. It suggests that a continuous immersion in and application of divine truth provides unparalleled strategic and moral advantage in navigating life's challenges, especially when faced with opposition operating under worldly or ungodly principles. The sustained personal engagement with the Word ensures its transformative power.
Psalm 119 98 Bonus section
The "wisdom" (חָכְמָה - chokmah) spoken of here is not mere intellectual knowledge but is inherently practical and ethical. In biblical terms, chokmah often signifies the skill of living well and discerning truth from falsehood, rooted in the fear of the Lord. The Psalmist is implying a deep dependence on God's truth to guide actions and choices, rather than relying on human cunning or prevailing societal norms which may be against divine principles. This verse thus stands in stark contrast to wisdom derived from earthly philosophy or human reason when these diverge from God's revelation, serving as a subtle polemic against any alternative source of truth or guidance. It emphasizes the sufficiency of God's Word as the ultimate guide for life, ensuring spiritual acumen and protection against spiritual and practical deceptions. The lasting nature of God's commandments ("ever with me") speaks to their eternal truth and relevance, unlike fleeting human philosophies or strategies.
Psalm 119 98 Commentary
Psalm 119:98 succinctly captures a profound spiritual truth: authentic and superior wisdom does not originate from human ingenuity or worldly counsel, but flows directly from God's own mouth through His commandments. This divine wisdom confers a practical advantage, enabling the believer to perceive, navigate, and overcome challenges posed by adversaries or difficult circumstances with discernment and integrity that earthly wisdom lacks. The crucial condition for this profound benefit is the constant, deep, and intimate presence of God's Word in one's life. It signifies an enduring commitment to study, meditate on, and live by divine instruction, transforming it from a mere external code into an internalized, ever-present guide. This persistent adherence makes one a living testament to the power of God's truth, empowering righteous judgment and action far beyond the limited scope of human cunning. This truth calls us to prioritize abiding in God's Word daily, not just in times of crisis, but as a continuous wellspring of discernment and life.