Psalm 119:5
New International Version
Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

New Living Translation
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

English Standard Version
Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

Berean Standard Bible
Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

King James Bible
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

New King James Version
Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!

New American Standard Bible
Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!

NASB 1995
Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!

NASB 1977
Oh that my ways may be established To keep Thy statutes!

Legacy Standard Bible
Oh may my ways be established To keep Your statutes!

Amplified Bible
Oh, that my ways may be established To observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]!

Christian Standard Bible
If only my ways were committed to keeping your statutes!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

American Standard Version
Oh that my ways were established To observe thy statutes!

Contemporary English Version
I don't ever want to stray from your laws.

English Revised Version
Oh that my ways were established to observe thy statutes!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I pray that my ways may become firmly established so that I can obey your laws.

Good News Translation
How I hope that I shall be faithful in keeping your instructions!

International Standard Version
Oh, that my ways were steadfast, so I may keep your statutes.

Majority Standard Bible
Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

NET Bible
If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes!

New Heart English Bible
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes.

Webster's Bible Translation
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

World English Bible
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O that my ways were prepared to keep Your statutes,

Young's Literal Translation
O that my ways were prepared to keep Thy statutes,

Smith's Literal Translation
Would that my ways were directed to watch thy laws!
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I wish that my ways may be directed so as to keep your justifications.

New American Bible
May my ways be firm in the observance of your statutes!

New Revised Standard Version
O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But, oh, that my ways were fashioned that I would keep your commandments!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Oh that my ways were directed To observe Thy statutes!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
O that my ways were directed to keep thine ordinances.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
4You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.…

Cross References
James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Romans 7:22-25
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. / But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me. / What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ...

John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

1 John 2:3-6
By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / 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: ...

Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Hebrews 13:21
equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

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.

Colossians 1:9-10
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, / so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Galatians 5:16-18
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. / But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

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

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more. / For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.


Treasury of Scripture

O that my ways were directed to keep your statutes!

Psalm 119:32,36,44,45,131,159,173
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart…

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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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














Oh, that my ways
The phrase "Oh, that my ways" expresses a deep yearning and desire for alignment with God's will. The Hebrew word for "ways" is "derek," which signifies a path or journey. This reflects the psalmist's longing for his life journey to be in harmony with divine guidance. Historically, the Israelites understood their journey as a covenantal walk with God, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness. This phrase captures the essence of a heart seeking to walk in righteousness, echoing the biblical theme of life as a pilgrimage towards holiness.

were steadfast
The word "steadfast" in Hebrew is "kun," which means to be firm, established, or secure. This term conveys a sense of unwavering commitment and stability in one's spiritual walk. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being steadfast was associated with reliability and faithfulness, qualities highly valued in relationships and covenants. The psalmist's plea for steadfastness reflects a desire for consistency in following God's commands, recognizing human frailty and the need for divine strength to remain faithful.

in keeping
"Keeping" translates from the Hebrew "shamar," which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This word suggests an active, vigilant effort to adhere to God's laws. In biblical times, "shamar" was often used in the context of tending to something precious, like a garden or a flock, indicating careful attention and protection. The psalmist's use of this term underscores the importance of not just knowing God's statutes but actively preserving and practicing them in daily life.

Your statutes!
The term "statutes" comes from the Hebrew "choq," which refers to decrees or laws that are appointed by God. These are not arbitrary rules but divine ordinances meant to guide the believer in righteous living. In the historical context of Israel, statutes were integral to the covenant relationship between God and His people, serving as a means to maintain holiness and community order. The psalmist's exclamation highlights a reverence for God's laws, recognizing them as the foundation for a life pleasing to the Lord.

(5) Directed . . .--So LXX. and Vulg. The He brew is perhaps slightly different, established, or settled. (See Proverbs 4:26.)

Verse 5. - Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! The first four verses of the stanza are concerned with the Law in itself; the last four treat of the writer's relation to it. He begins by expressing the wish that he, at any rate, may always observe it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Oh, that
אַ֭חֲלַי (’a·ḥă·lay)
Interjection
Strong's 305: O! would that!

my ways
דְרָכָ֗י (ḏə·rā·ḵāy)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

were committed
יִכֹּ֥נוּ (yik·kō·nū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect

to keeping
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

Your statutes!
חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ (ḥuq·qe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:5 Oh that my ways were steadfast (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:4
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