Psalms 119:38

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.

Psalms 119:38 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
New Living Translation (NLT)
38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
The Message Bible (MSG)
38 Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which [is in order] unto the fear of thee.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
38 Keep your promise to me so that I can fear you.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
38 Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
38 Keep your promise to me. Then other people will have respect for you.

Psalms 119:38 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:38

Stablish thy word unto thy servant
Either God's word of promise, which never fails, is firm and stable in Christ; and the sense is, that God would assure him of the fulfilment of it, and give him a strong faith and firm belief of it; for otherwise the word of the Lord cannot be surer or more stable than it is: or else the word of his grace; and then the sense is, that he might be established in it, and the truths of it, and be established by it; for the word is a means of establishment, and a good thing it is to have the heart established with grace, with the doctrine of grace, ( Hebrews 13:9 ) ;

who [is devoted] to thy fear;
who served the Lord with reverence and godly fear; who feared the Lord and his goodness; that grace being a reigning one in his heart, and ever before his eyes. Or, "which is unto thy fear" F4; that is, which word is unto thy fear; which leads unto it, and has a tendency to promote and increase it; and so is a commendation of the word of God from this effect of it.


FOOTNOTES:

F4 (Ktaryl rva) "quod ad timorem tuum", Pagninus, Montanus; "quod ad timorem tui facit", Musculus; "et ducit", Schmidt; "quod datum est ad timorem tui", Michaelis.

Psalms 119:38 In-Context

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Numbers 23:19; 2 Samuel 7:25
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.