Psalms 119:32

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

for you enable me to do so. ¹ 

Psalms 119:36

119:36 Give me a desire for your rules, ² 

rather than for wealth gained unjustly. ³ 

Psalms 119:44-45

119:44 Then I will keep ⁴  your law continually

now and for all time. ⁵ 

119:45 I will be secure, ⁶ 

for I seek your precepts.

Psalms 119:131

119:131 I open my mouth and pant,

because I long ⁷  for your commands.

Psalms 119:159

119:159 See how I love your precepts!

O Lord, revive me with your loyal love!

Psalms 119:173

119:173 May your hand help me,

for I choose to obey ⁸  your precepts.

[119:32]  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.

[119:36]  ² tn Heb “turn my heart to your rules.”

[119:36]  ³ tn Heb “and not unjust gain.”

[119:44]  ⁴ tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the negated jussive (see v. 43).

[119:44]  ⁵ tn Or “forever and ever.”

[119:45]  ⁶ tn Heb “and I will walk about in a wide place.” The cohortative with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive gives a further consequence of the anticipated positive divine response (see vv. 43-44). Another option is to take the cohortative as expressing the psalmist’s request. In this case one could translate, “and please give me security.”

[119:131]  ⁷ tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.

[119:173]  ⁸ tn The words “to obey” are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarity.