Psalm 119:16
New International Version
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

New Living Translation
I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Gimel

English Standard Version
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Berean Standard Bible
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

King James Bible
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

New King James Version
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

New American Standard Bible
I shall delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

NASB 1995
I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Gimel.

NASB 1977
I shall delight in Thy statutes; I shall not forget Thy word.

Legacy Standard Bible
I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.

Amplified Bible
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Christian Standard Bible
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

American Standard Version
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Contemporary English Version
I will take pleasure in your laws and remember your words.

English Revised Version
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your laws make me happy. I never forget your word.

Good News Translation
I take pleasure in your laws; your commands I will not forget.

International Standard Version
I am delighted with your statutes; I will not forget your word.

NET Bible
I find delight in your statutes; I do not forget your instructions.

New Heart English Bible
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

Webster's Bible Translation
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

World English Bible
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I delight myself in Your statutes, "" I do not forget Your word.

Young's Literal Translation
In Thy statutes I delight myself, I do not forget Thy word.

Smith's Literal Translation
In thy laws I will delight: I will not forget thy word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will meditate on your justifications. I will not forget your words.

New American Bible
In your statutes I take delight; I will never forget your word.

New Revised Standard Version
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have meditated in thy law in order that I may not forget thy words.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I meditated in your Law that I would not forget your words.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will meditate on thine ordinances: I will not forget thy words.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
15I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. 16I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.…

Cross References
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. / And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. / Tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ...

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Proverbs 3:1
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

Romans 7:22
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 1:2
But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 7:2-3
Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. / Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

1 John 2:5
But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:

Psalm 19:7-11
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. / The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. ...


Treasury of Scripture

I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget your word.

delight

Psalm 119:14,24,35,47,70,77,92
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches…

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

not forget

Psalm 119:11,83,93,109,141,176
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee…

Proverbs 3:1
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

James 1:23,24
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: …

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














I will delight in Your statutes;
The psalmist expresses a deep joy and satisfaction in God's laws, which are seen as a reflection of His character and will. This delight is not merely an emotional response but a committed choice to find pleasure in divine instruction. In the context of ancient Israel, statutes were part of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, given through Moses at Sinai. The psalmist's delight can be compared to the joy found in Psalm 1:2, where the righteous person meditates on the law day and night. This delight is a precursor to the New Testament teaching of Jesus, who fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and emphasized love as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).

I will not forget Your word.
The commitment to remember God's word underscores the importance of internalizing Scripture. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, oral tradition was vital, and memorization was a key method of preserving teachings. Forgetting God's word could lead to disobedience and spiritual decline, as seen in the history of Israel (Judges 2:10-12). The psalmist's resolve to remember aligns with Deuteronomy 6:6-9, where the Israelites are instructed to keep God's commands on their hearts and teach them diligently to their children. This phrase also foreshadows the New Covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:33, where God writes His law on the hearts of His people, fulfilled in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 8:10).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, though the exact authorship is uncertain. The psalmist expresses a deep love and commitment to God's law.

2. God
The central figure to whom the psalmist is speaking. God is the giver of the statutes and the one whose word is cherished.

3. Statutes
Refers to the decrees or laws given by God. In the context of Psalm 119, these are seen as life-giving and worthy of delight.

4. Word
Represents the entirety of God's communication to humanity, including His laws, promises, and teachings.

5. Psalm 119
The longest chapter in the Bible, focusing on the beauty and importance of God's law. It is an acrostic poem, with each section corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Teaching Points
Delight in God's Word
The psalmist finds joy and satisfaction in God's statutes. As believers, we are encouraged to cultivate a love for Scripture, seeing it as a source of joy and guidance.

Commitment to Memory
The psalmist's resolve to not forget God's word highlights the importance of memorization and meditation. Regular engagement with Scripture helps embed it in our hearts and minds.

Active Engagement
Delighting in God's statutes implies an active engagement with them. This involves studying, reflecting, and applying God's word in our daily lives.

The Role of God's Word in Spiritual Growth
God's word is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. By delighting in and remembering His statutes, we align our lives with His will and purpose.

Consistency in Spiritual Practices
The psalmist's commitment serves as a model for consistency in spiritual disciplines, such as Bible study, prayer, and meditation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 119:16?

2. How can you "delight in Your statutes" in your daily life today?

3. What steps help you "not forget Your word" in Psalm 119:16?

4. How does Psalm 119:16 connect to Joshua 1:8 about meditating on Scripture?

5. In what ways can you prioritize God's word in your routine?

6. How does delighting in God's statutes influence your spiritual growth and obedience?

7. How does Psalm 119:16 encourage personal devotion to God's word?

8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 119?

9. How does Psalm 119:16 relate to the overall theme of Psalm 119?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 119?

11. How can you delight yourself in the Lord?

12. What are the main themes of the Psalms?

13. Does your conscience align with God's teachings?

14. What does Psalm 119:89 signify about God's word?
What Does Psalm 119:16 Mean
I will delight in Your statutes

Delight is more than passive appreciation; it is active pleasure in what God has spoken. Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night,” echoing the same heart posture. To delight in God’s statutes:

• We welcome His commands as life-giving, not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

• Our emotions line up with our convictions—like Jeremiah, who said, “Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).

• We experience the refreshment Psalm 19:8 promises: “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.”

• We find in God’s Word the very Person of God; Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (John 14:23).

Delight, then, is a willing, joyful submission that treats Scripture as treasure to savor rather than rules to endure.


I will not forget Your word

The psalmist moves from affection to retention. Love proves itself through remembrance and obedience. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 urges Israel to keep God’s words on heart, talk of them, bind them, and write them—practical safeguards against forgetfulness. Likewise, James 1:25 commends “the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so, not being a forgetful hearer but an effective doer.”

Ways we refuse to forget:

• Consistent meditation—turning Scripture over in mind day and night (Joshua 1:8).

• Conversation—speaking truth to one another (Colossians 3:16).

• Celebration—singing and recounting God’s deeds (Psalm 103:2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits”).

• Application—putting the Word into practice so it is woven into daily life (Luke 11:28).

The commitment “I will not forget” reflects resolve empowered by grace; God inscribes His law on believers’ hearts (Hebrews 10:16), making faithful memory possible.


summary

Psalm 119:16 joins affection with determination. To delight in God’s statutes is to cherish His revealed will as our greatest joy; to refuse forgetfulness is to guard that joy through continual remembrance and obedience. The verse calls us to savor Scripture and to keep it ever before us, confident that as we do, the God who spoke these words will shape our hearts and direct our steps.

Verse 16. - I will delight myself in thy statutes (comp. vers. 24, 40, 47, 70, 77, etc.; and see also Psalm 1:2). I will not forget thy Word. That which is "laid up in the heart" (ver. 11) can never be forgotten.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will delight
אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע (’eš·ta·‘ă·šā‘)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8173: To look upon, fondle, please, amuse, to look about, stare

in Your statutes;
בְּחֻקֹּתֶ֥יךָ (bə·ḥuq·qō·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2708: Something prescribed, an enactment, statute

I will not
לֹ֭א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

forget
אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח (’eš·kaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

Your word.
דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃ (də·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:16 I will delight myself in your statutes (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:15
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