Psalms 119:48
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶשָּֽׂא
also will I lift up
H5375
וְאֶשָּֽׂא
also will I lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 8
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כַפַּ֗י
My hands
H3709
כַפַּ֗י
My hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
2 of 8
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
מִ֭צְוֹתֶיךָ
unto thy commandments
H4687
מִ֭צְוֹתֶיךָ
unto thy commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
4 of 8
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָהָ֗בְתִּי
which I have loved
H157
אָהָ֗בְתִּי
which I have loved
Strong's:
H157
Word #:
6 of 8
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
Cross References
Psalms 1:2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.Psalms 119:15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.Matthew 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.John 13:17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.John 15:14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Historical Context
Ancient worship included physical gestures: lifting hands in prayer (Psalm 141:2, 1 Timothy 2:8), bowing, prostration. The psalmist adopts worship posture toward God's commandments, treating Torah-obedience as liturgical act. Meditation on Torah was central to Jewish piety—recitation, memorization, contemplation of God's words day and night (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'lift your hands' to God's commandments—how do you physically/practically demonstrate wholehearted embrace of divine commands?
- How does regular meditation on God's statutes deepen love and delight that might otherwise grow cold or dutiful?
- What specific practices help you move from viewing commandments as restrictive rules to embracing them as objects worthy of worship and meditation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved (וְאֶשָּֽׂא־כַפַּי אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אָהָבְתִּי)—Nasa (to lift, carry, bear) with kaph (palms, hands) pictures the ancient gesture of worship, oath-taking, or receiving gift. Lifting hands to God's mitzvot demonstrates reverent reception and wholehearted embrace. This physical gesture embodies spiritual reality: welcoming commandments with the posture of worship, not reluctant submission. And I will meditate in thy statutes (וְאָשִׂיחָה בְחֻקֶּיךָ)—Siach (to meditate, muse, speak) describes contemplative reflection on God's chuqqim (statutes). This closes the Vav stanza with the essential discipline: meditation transforms commandments from external rules to internal delight.
Lifting hands to commandments with love summarizes the psalmist's radical heart-transformation: what humanity naturally rebels against (divine commands restricting autonomy) becomes the object of worship and meditation. This is only possible through regeneration—the new heart that loves God's law (Ezekiel 36:26). The commitment to meditate ensures continued transformation: dwelling on statutes deepens delight, which produces bolder testimony, creating upward sanctification spiral. This is the biblical pattern for progressive holiness.