Psalms 119:112

112 I 1incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, 2to the end.[a]

Psalms 119:112 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:112

I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway,
&c.] He had prayed to God to incline his heart to them, ( Psalms 119:36 ) ; and by the grace of God his heart was inclined to obedience to them; and nothing but that can incline the heart, which is naturally averse unto them: the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be, until it is made so by the grace of God, ( Romans 8:7 ) ; and by this the psalmist had prevailed upon his heart to keep the statutes of the Lord, and do them, and that continually; for a good man is desirous of being steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;

[even unto] the end;
the end of life, as long as he lived. The Septuagint and Vulgate Latin version render it, "for a recompence"; and the Arabic version, "for an eternal recompence"; but the Ethiopic version the reverse, "not for a recompence", or benefit: which latter is the truth, though neither of them a right version; for the statutes are to be kept, not for the sake of a recompence of reward, but from love to God, and; in duty to him, without any mercenary views; though the word does sometimes signify "a reward", and may be rendered here, "for ever [there is] a reward" F9; as there is "in", though not "for", keeping the commands; see ( Psalms 19:11 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F9 (bqe Mlwel) "in aeternum est retributio", Clarius.

Psalms 119:112 In-Context

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Cross References 2

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or statutes; the reward is eternal
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.