Psalms Chapter 119 · Verse 57
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
Original Language Analysis
חֶלְקִ֖י
CHETH Thou art my portion
H2506
חֶלְקִ֖י
CHETH Thou art my portion
Strong's:
H2506
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, smoothness (of the tongue)
יְהוָ֥ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Lamentations 3:24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.Psalms 16:5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.Psalms 142:5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.Jeremiah 10:16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.Psalms 73:26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.Psalms 119:115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Joshua 24:18And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.Joshua 24:21And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.Psalms 66:14Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
Historical Context
The Levitical portion was controversial—lacking land inheritance made Levites economically vulnerable yet spiritually privileged. Their dependence on God's provision through tithes pictured faith's essence: trusting God rather than tangible security. The psalmist claims this privileged position, suggesting that all believers are spiritual Levites whose inheritance transcends earthly wealth.
Questions for Reflection
- In what practical ways do you demonstrate that God Himself—not merely His blessings—is your supreme treasure and portion?
- How would your life change if you truly believed God is better than any earthly inheritance or security?
- What idols compete with God as your 'portion,' and how can you dethrone them through repentance and faith?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. This begins the ח (Cheth) section. The word portion (חֵלֶק, cheleq) originally meant the land allotment each Israelite tribe received—except Levites, whose portion was Yahweh Himself (Numbers 18:20). The psalmist claims this priestly inheritance: God is his supreme treasure and inheritance.
I have said that I would keep thy words—the public declaration (אָמַרְתִּי, amarti) represents covenant commitment, like wedding vows. This echoes Joshua's 'as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD' (Joshua 24:15). When God is your portion, obedience becomes privilege, not burden. This foreshadows Jesus's teaching that the kingdom is the 'pearl of great price' worth everything (Matthew 13:45-46).