Psalms 119:14
in Psalms 119I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
KJV
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
⋯
This verse in Psalms 119
Commentary
10 notes on this verseThis site's exposition
How can a young man keep his way pure
on Psalms 119:9-16
The question is how a young man keeps his way pure, and the answer given is guarding it by the word. Verse 11 puts the word inside the man, hidden in the heart. Around it stand the practices: proclaiming, rejoicing, meditating, delighting, and never forgetting.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"I have had as great delight in the way Your testimonies, as in all manner of riches" [Psalm 119:14]. We understand that there is no more speedy, no more sure, no shorter, no higher way of the testimonies of God than Christ, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." [Colossians 2:3] Thence he says that he has had as great delight in this way, as in all riches. Those are the testimonies, by which He deigns to prove unto us how much He loves us.. ..
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
In the way of God's commandments I can truly say, Soul, take thy ease; " in true religion there is all riches, the unsearchable riches of Christ. He looks forward with a holy resolution never to cool in his affection to the word of God; what he does that he will do, 2 Cor. xi. Those that have found pleasure in the ways of God are likely to proceed and persevere in them.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,....
When he knew God had heard his declaration of his ways he did not say, "Now, Lord, tell me my lot, and let me know what the event will be;" but, "Now, Lord, tell me my duty; let me know what thou wouldst have me to do as the case stands." Note, Those who in all their ways acknowledge God may pray in faith that he will direct their steps in the right way.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
We must carefully treasure up the word of God, declare it to others, meditate on it, and heartily delight in it; and then by His grace we shall act according to it.
4 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
"I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies." Delight in the word of God is a sure proof that it has taken effect upon the heart, and so is cleansing the life. The Psalmist not only says that he does rejoice, but that he has rejoiced. For years it had been his joy and bliss to give his soul to the teaching of the word. His rejoicing had not only arisen out of the word of God, but out of the practical characteristics of it. The Way was as dear to him as the Truth and the Life.
"I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies." Delight in the word of God is a sure proof that it has taken effect upon the heart, and so is cleansing the life. The Psalmist not only says that he does rejoice, but that he has rejoiced. For years it had been his joy and bliss to give his soul to the teaching of the word. His rejoicing had not only arisen out of the word of God, but out of the practical characteristics of it. The Way was as dear to him as the Truth and the Life. There was no picking and choosing with David, or if indeed he did make a selection, he chose the most practical first. "As much as in all riches." He compared his intense satisfaction with God's will with that of a man who possesses large and varied estates, and the heart to enjoy them. David knew the riches that come of sovereignty and which grow out of conquest; he valued the wealth which proceeds from labour, or is gotten by inheritance: he knew "all riches." The gracious king had been glad to see the gold and silver poured into his treasury that he might devote vast masses of it to the building of the Temple of Jehovah upon Mount Zion. He rejoiced in all sorts of riches consecrated and laid up for the noblest uses, and yet the way of God's word had given him more pleasure than even these. Observe that his joy was personal, distinct, remembered, and abundant. Wonder not that in the previous verse he glories in having spoken much of that which he had so much enjoyed: a man may well talk of that which is his delight.
I have rejoiced - 11. He must consider it his chief happiness to be found in the path of obedience, giving his whole heart and strength to God; and when enabled to do it, he should rejoice more in it than if he had gained thousands of gold and silver. O how great is the treasure of a tender and approving conscience!
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
I have rejoiced ... - I do rejoice; I exult in this; I find my happiness there. The word expresses a high degree of joy. As much as in all riches - Hebrew, “as upon all wealth.” As people rejoice who have great wealth. I find my happiness in religion, as if in the possession of real wealth. Pro 10:22.
The words behind it
6 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ | bederekh | in [the] way of | H1870 → | 707 times |
| עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָ | ʾedevoteikha | testimonies your | H5715 → | 59 times |
| שַׂ֗שְׂתִּי | sasti | I exult | H7797 → | 27 times |
| כְּעַ֣ל | keal | as on | H5921 → | 5755 times |
| כָּל־ | kol- | all | H3605 → | 5413 times |
| הֽוֹן׃ | hon | wealth | H1952 → | 26 times |
בְּדֶ֖רֶךְin [the] way of
bederekhH1870 →707 times
עֵדְוֹתֶ֥יךָtestimonies your
ʾedevoteikhaH5715 →59 times
שַׂ֗שְׂתִּיI exult
sastiH7797 →27 times
כְּעַ֣לas on
kealH5921 →5755 times
כָּל־all
kol-H3605 →5413 times
הֽוֹן׃wealth
honH1952 →26 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Jeremiah 15:16Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.
it leads to
- Revelation 10:9–10
And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as…
- Ezekiel 3:1–3
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.”
- Psalms 119:101–103
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.
- Job 23:12
I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.
- Psalms 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
- Revelation 10:9–10
Through
Matthew 13:44The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that…
it leads to
- Proverbs 2:2–5
if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding,
- Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
- Philippians 3:7–9
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
- Proverbs 2:2–5
Where this verse is studied
About Psalms
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Psalms; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 119; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 6; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.