Psalms 119:45
And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה
And I will walk
H1980
וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה
And I will walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 5
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בָרְחָבָ֑ה
at liberty
H7342
בָרְחָבָ֑ה
at liberty
Strong's:
H7342
Word #:
2 of 5
roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 5
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 119:133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.Proverbs 4:12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.James 1:25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.Psalms 119:94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.Ephesians 5:17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.James 2:12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.2 Peter 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.Luke 4:18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Psalms 119:162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
Historical Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem celebrating God's Torah. Written possibly during or after the Babylonian exile, when Israel's disobedience had led to captivity, the psalmist affirms that God's law—properly loved and obeyed—leads to freedom, not bondage.
Questions for Reflection
- How does seeking God's precepts lead to liberty rather than restriction in your own experience?
- In what ways does contemporary culture's 'freedom from rules' actually lead to slavery to sin and self?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will walk at liberty (וְאֶתְהַלְּכָה בָרְחָבָה, ve'ethallekha barchavah)—The Hebrew rechavah means 'wide space, broad place' or 'freedom,' picturing liberation from confinement. The psalmist discovers that God's precepts do not enslave but emancipate. For I seek thy precepts (כִּי פִקֻּדֶיךָ דָרָשְׁתִּי, ki pikudekha darashti)—Darash means 'to seek diligently, inquire, investigate,' implying earnest pursuit. This verse reverses worldly wisdom: freedom comes through seeking God's commands, not fleeing them.
Jesus declared, 'the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32) and 'my yoke is easy, my burden is light' (Matthew 11:30). Paul echoes this paradox: 'the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death' (Romans 8:2). True liberty is not license but Christ-enabled obedience.