Psalms 119:16
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Original Language Analysis
אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע
I will delight
H8173
אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע
I will delight
Strong's:
H8173
Word #:
2 of 5
(in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), i.e., fondle, please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (in dismay), i.e., stare
לֹ֭א
H3808
לֹ֭א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 5
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 119:24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.Psalms 119:47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.Psalms 119:35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.Psalms 119:83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.Psalms 119:176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.Psalms 119:141I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.Psalms 119:109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.Psalms 119:77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.Psalms 119:70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.Proverbs 3:1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Historical Context
Israel's greatest failure was forgetting—forgetting God's works (Psalm 78:11), forgetting the covenant (Deuteronomy 4:9), forgetting God Himself (Jeremiah 2:32). The entire Deuteronomic history interprets Israel's downfall as the consequence of forgetting Yahweh. Against this backdrop, the psalmist's determination not to forget represents covenant loyalty and conscious resistance to the spiritual amnesia that plagued Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence suggests you genuinely delight in God's Word versus viewing it as religious duty?
- What practices help you remember and retain Scripture in an age of information overload and distraction?
- How might memorization and meditation work together to prevent spiritual forgetfulness?
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Analysis & Commentary
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. The Beth (ב) stanza concludes with promised delight and remembrance. Delight myself (eshta'asha, אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע) is an intensive reflexive form suggesting luxuriating or finding pleasure in God's statutes (chuqqotekha, חֻקֹּתֶיךָ). This is not grim duty but joyful engagement—finding satisfaction and pleasure in what God has decreed. Such delight is supernatural; the unregenerate heart finds God's law burdensome (Romans 8:7).
The parallel promise I will not forget thy word (lo eshkach devarekha, לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח דְּבָרֶךָ) connects delight with retention. What we love, we remember; what bores us, we forget. Word (davar, דָּבָר) is the comprehensive term for God's communication. This anticipates verse 11: 'Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.' Jesus promised the Spirit would bring His words to remembrance (John 14:26), enabling believers to fulfill this commitment.