Psalms 119:29
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
Original Language Analysis
דֶּֽרֶךְ
from me the way
H1870
דֶּֽרֶךְ
from me the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 6
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שֶׁ֭קֶר
of lying
H8267
שֶׁ֭קֶר
of lying
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
2 of 6
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
1 John 1:8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.1 John 2:4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Psalms 119:37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.Proverbs 30:8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Historical Context
Ancient Israel lived surrounded by nations whose gods endorsed ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and false prophecy—'the way of lying' had cultural momentum. The psalmist's plea reflects living as a covenant minority, constantly tempted to syncretize truth with cultural falsehood, needing God's gracious intervention to maintain distinctiveness.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'ways of lying' (self-deception, image management, theological compromise) do you need God to actively remove from your life?
- How does recognizing that receiving God's law is itself grace transform your view of biblical commandments?
- In what areas are you trying to remove falsehood through willpower instead of crying for gracious divine intervention?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Remove from me the way of lying (דֶּֽרֶךְ־שֶׁקֶר הָסֵר מִמֶּנִּי)—Sheqer (falsehood, deception) encompasses both outright lies and living a false life contrary to truth. The derek (way, path) of lying is a lifestyle of self-deception and dishonesty God must actively remove—we cannot remove it ourselves. And grant me thy law graciously (וְֽתֽוֹרָתְךָ חָנֵּנִי)—The verb chanan (to be gracious, show favor) reveals that even receiving God's torah (instruction, law) is pure grace. We need mercy both to escape deception and to embrace truth.
This couplet exposes two ways: the false way we naturally drift toward, and the true way of God's law we desperately need. The psalmist recognizes that forsaking lies and following Torah both require divine intervention—reformation is grace from start to finish, anticipating Paul's "it is God who works in you" (Philippians 2:13).