Psalms 119:145

Authorized King James Version

I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

Word-by-Word Analysis

קָרָ֣אתִי

H7121

KOPH I cried

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לֵ֭ב

H3820

with my whole heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

עֲנֵ֥נִי

H6030

hear

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

me O LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

חֻקֶּ֥יךָ

H2706

thy statutes

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

אֶצֹּֽרָה׃

H5341

I will keep

to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding worship and praise as presented in this verse, particularly in light of contemporary challenges facing the church and individual believers?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?