Psalms 119:35
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Original Language Analysis
הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי
Make me to go
H1869
הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי
Make me to go
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
1 of 6
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
מִצְוֹתֶ֑יךָ
of thy commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתֶ֑יךָ
of thy commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
3 of 6
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
Cross References
Psalms 23:3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Psalms 25:4Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.Proverbs 4:11I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.Philippians 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Hebrews 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Psalms 119:16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.Psalms 119:27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.Proverbs 8:20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Historical Context
The path metaphor dominates Hebrew wisdom literature (Proverbs' two ways). Ancient travelers needed guides for dangerous paths. The psalmist recognizes moral and spiritual life requires divine guidance—we can't navigate righteousness alone. This anticipates Christ as 'the way' (John 14:6) and the Spirit as ongoing guide into truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile delighting in God's commandments while still needing Him to 'make you go' in obedience?
- Where in your life do you experience the gap between delighting in God's will and actually doing it—and how are you seeking divine enablement?
- What does this verse teach about the relationship between human desire (delight) and divine sovereignty (make me go) in sanctification?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments (הַדְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִיב מִצְוֺתֶיךָ)—Darak (to tread, walk, lead) in Hiphil form means 'cause me to walk'—God must actively lead the psalmist down the nativ (path, pathway) of His mitzvot (commandments). This isn't requesting information but transformation—divine compulsion to walk where flesh resists. For therein do I delight (כִּי־בוֹ חָפָצְתִּי)—Chafets (to delight, take pleasure) reveals motive. The psalmist delights in God's commandments (echoing Psalm 1:2) yet still needs divine enabling to walk them. Delight doesn't automatically produce obedience—grace must make us go.
This paradox is profound: 'Make me go where I delight to go.' The psalmist wants what God wants, yet can't do what he wants without God making him do it. This is the Romans 7 struggle resolved by Romans 8's Spirit-empowerment. Regenerate hearts delight in God's law, but sanctification requires ongoing divine causation. We're not puppets (real delight) nor autonomous (must be made to go)—this is glorious dependence.