Psalm-119-Vv-9-16
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Throughout
this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
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details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
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Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes,
and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations
or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), having been corrected like it once was pre
the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
A brief Introduction:
There is no doubt that this
part of Psalm 119 below, contains a very special
message for all of us, and reading it will be without a doubt a blessing!
Thus, let us read תְּהִלִּים - Tehillim - Psalm 119, verses 9 to 16: (From the JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh). As you will have noticed below, that the eight verses are first in Ivrit - Hebrew, followed by the English translation!
בַּמֶּה יְזַכֶּה-נַּעַר, אֶת-אָרְחוֹ לִשְׁמֹר, כִּדְבָרֶךָ
בְּכָל-לִבִּי דְרַשְׁתִּיךָ; אַל-תַּשְׁגֵּנִי, מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ
בְּלִבִּי, צָפַנְתִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ לְמַעַן, לֹא אֶחֱטָא-לָךְ
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ
בִּשְׂפָתַי סִפַּרְתִּי כֹּל, מִשְׁפְּטֵי-פִיךָ
בְּדֶרֶךְ עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שַׂשְׂתִּי כְּעַל כָּל-הוֹן
בְּפִקּוּדֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה; וְאַבִּיטָה, אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ
בְּחֻקֹּתֶיךָ אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע; לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח דְּבָרֶךָ
“Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy Commandments. Thy Word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Blessed art Thou, O יְהוָה - LORD; teach me Thy statutes. With my lips have I told all the ordinances of Thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Thy Testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy Statutes; I will not forget Thy Word”.
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Let us now look at a verse-by-verse Commentary Psalm 119:9-16:
Verse 9: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word”.
Commentary: The choice of ‘Wherewithal’ perfectly captures the interrogative ‘Bameh’ (בַּמֶּה), framing the stanza not just as a casual question, but as a weighty, foundational inquiry into human capability. The phrase ‘taking heed’ beautifully translates ‘lishmor’ (לִשְׁמֹר). It emphasizes active vigilance, guarding, and maintaining a constant watch over ones life path, setting the tone for the entire octave!
Verse
10: “With
my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments”.
Commentary: The JPS accurately renders ‘al-tashgeni’ (אַל-תַּשְׁגֵּנִי) as ‘O let me not err’. Unlike a deliberate rebellion, to ‘err’ is to wander off track due to human frailty or distraction. By pairing this plea with ‘my whole heart’, the text highlights a profound scriptural truth: even with total internal devotion, man still requires the steadying hand of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s revealed commandments to prevent unintentional straying.
Verse
11: “Thy
word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee”.
Commentary: Translating ‘tzafanti’ (צָפַנְתִּי) as ‘laid up’ is an exceptional linguistic choice. While modern translations often use ‘hidden’ ‘laid up’ evokes the imagery of a secure storehouse or a highly valued deposit. The Tanakh positions the human heart as the ultimate ark, where the Divine ‘Imrah’ (speech) is treasured as a practical safeguard against missing the spiritual mark.
Verse
12: “Blessed
art Thou, O יְהוָה
- LORD; teach me Thy statutes”.
Commentary: The JPS maintains the precise word order of the Hebrew (Baruch Attah יְהוָה- the LORD), leading immediately with ‘Blessed art Thou’. By placing praise before petition, the verse establishes the correct posture for biblical study. The request ‘teach me’ (‘lamdeni’) demonstrates that the Author of the text is its only true interpreter.
Verse
13: “With
my lips have I declared all the ordinances of Thy mouth”.
Commentary: The distinction between ‘my lips’ (‘bisfatai’) and ‘Thy mouth’ (‘picha’) is a beautiful literary parallel preserved by the JPS. What originates in the mouth of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is meant to be mirrored and broadcast by the lips of man. The word ‘declared’ (‘siporti’) implies a meticulous, detailed counting or recounting of the Divine judgments, leaving no room for human alteration.
Verse 14: “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches”.
Commentary: The JPS phrase “as much as in all riches” handles the Hebrew ‘ke-al kol-hon’ (כְּעַל כָּל-הוֹן) perfectly. It establishes a direct, measurable comparison. The Psalmist does not merely find comfort in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s testimonies; he experiences an active, exuberant joy (sasti) that eclipses the value of any material wealth.
Verse 15: “I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Your ways”.
Commentary: The archaic but profound phrase ‘have respect unto’ is a brilliant translation of ‘v’abitah’ (וְאַבִּיטָה), which means to look at something with deep regard, focus, and reverence. Combined with ‘meditate’, the JPS highlights a two-fold study method: internal reflection on the precepts, coupled with an outward, respectful observation of how אֱלֹהִים - Elohim operates in the world.
Verse 16: “I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word”.
Commentary: The intensive reflexive form ‘eshta’asha’ (אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע) is perfectly captured by ‘I will delight myself’. It denotes an active, self-generating joy found exclusively within the text. The final declaration, ‘I will not forget’, acts as a firm textual seal, asserting that the pure word of the Tanakh remains permanently etched on the mind.
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My
Closing Message
By stripping away centuries of later mystical speculation and letting the precise, literal English of the JPS 1917 reflects the exact grammar of the Tanakh, this study I pray, shines with remarkable clarity. Thus demonstrating the ultimate form of loyalty to the Text, letting אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Word speak entirely for itself.
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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of
our prophets...
“The More Torah, the
More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD
of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and
continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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