Psalms 119:7

Authorized King James Version

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
א֭וֹדְךָ
I will praise
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
#2
בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר
thee with uprightness
the right
#3
לֵבָ֑ב
of heart
the heart (as the most interior organ)
#4
בְּ֝לָמְדִ֗י
when I shall have learned
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
#5
מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י
judgments
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#6
צִדְקֶֽךָ׃
thy righteous
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine revelation reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection