Psalms 119:167
My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
Original Language Analysis
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה
hath kept
H8104
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה
hath kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
נַ֭פְשִׁי
My soul
H5315
נַ֭פְשִׁי
My soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 5
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Hebrews 10:16This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;Psalms 40:8I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:Psalms 119:97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.Psalms 119:111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.Psalms 119:159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
Historical Context
The Shin (ש) section concludes with this affirmation of whole-souled Torah love. The nefesh (soul/self) as guardian of edot (testimonies) reverses the common pattern of external law-keeping. True obedience flows from internal transformation—the new covenant promise of Ezekiel 36:26-27.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically for your soul (<em>nefesh</em>) to 'keep' God's testimonies rather than just your outward behavior?
- How does 'exceedingly' (<em>me'od</em>) loving God's Word connect to the Shema's command to love God with all your <em>me'od</em> (might)?
- How did Jesus demonstrate whole-souled keeping of and love for the Father's testimonies throughout His earthly ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
My soul hath kept thy testimonies (שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶיךָ, shamrah nafshi edotekha)—Shamar ('keep, guard, observe, preserve') with nefesh ('soul, life, self') as subject. The inner person guards edot (testimonies, covenant witnesses). The intensity? And I love them exceedingly (וָאֹהֲבֵם מְאֹד, va'ohavem me'od). Me'od means 'very, exceedingly, greatly'—the same word in the Shema: 'love the LORD thy God with all...thy might [me'od]' (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Jesus fulfills this perfectly, keeping the Father's testimonies with total soul-commitment and loving them me'od—with all His being unto death (Philippians 2:8).