Psalms 119:10

119:10 With all my heart I seek you.

Do not allow me to stray from your commands!

Psalms 119:32

119:32 I run along the path of your commands,

for you enable me to do so. ¹ 

Psalms 119:112

119:112 I am determined to obey ²  your statutes

at all times, to the very end.

Psalms 119:161

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. ³ 

Psalms 143:4

143:4 My strength leaves me; ⁴ 

I am absolutely shocked. ⁵ 

¹ tn Heb “for you make wide my heart.” The “heart” is viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s volition and understanding. The Lord gives the psalmist the desire and moral understanding that are foundational to the willing obedience depicted metaphorically in the preceding line. In Isa 60:5 the expression “your heart will be wide” means “your heart will swell with pride,” but here the nuance appears to be different.

¹ tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”

¹ tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.

¹ tn Heb “my spirit grows faint.”

² tn Heb “in my midst my heart is shocked.” For a similar use of the Hitpolel of שָׁמֵם (shamem), see Isa 59:16; 63:5.