Psalms 119:70
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 119:70
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Chapter Context
Psalms 119 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of wisdom, holiness, redemption. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-176: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 119:70
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
Analysis
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. The metaphor fat as grease (טָפַשׁ כַּחֵלֶב, tafish kachelev) describes spiritual insensitivity and moral dullness. In Hebrew thought, the heart was the center of understanding and will. A 'fat' heart is unresponsive, callous, impervious to truth—like adipose tissue that cannot feel or respond to stimulus. Isaiah warned Israel about hearts growing 'dull' (Isaiah 6:10), a condition Jesus cited regarding those who reject Him (Matthew 13:15).
The contrast but I delight in thy law (אָנִי תוֹרָתְךָ שִׁעֲשָׁעְתִּי, ani toratekha shi'asha'ti) shows spiritual sensitivity—the capacity to find pleasure in God's instruction. Delight (שָׁעַע, sha'a) implies joyful preoccupation and deep satisfaction. While the proud have hearts too insensitive to perceive truth's beauty, the believer's responsive heart finds supreme pleasure in God's Torah. This spiritual contrast determines eternal destiny.
Historical Context
Israel's prophets repeatedly warned against hardened hearts—the consequence of persistent rebellion. Pharaoh's hardened heart exemplified this (Exodus 8:15, 32). Prosperity often produced spiritual insensitivity, as Jeshurun 'grew fat and kicked' (Deuteronomy 32:15). The exilic prophets called for circumcision of the heart (Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4), anticipating the New Covenant promise of transformed hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). Only divine grace can cure spiritual obesity and create delight in God's law.
Reflection
- What symptoms might indicate your heart is growing 'fat' with spiritual insensitivity—dullness toward sin, boredom with Scripture, indifference to God?
- Do you genuinely 'delight' in God's law, or is obedience primarily duty? What might cultivate deeper delight?
- How can believers guard against the prosperity and comfort that often produce spiritually 'fat' hearts?
Word Studies
- Law: תּוֹרָה (Torah) H8451 - Law, instruction
Cross-References
- Word: Psalms 40:8, 119:16, 119:35, Romans 7:22
- Parallel theme: Psalms 17:10, 73:7, Isaiah 6:10, Acts 28:27