Psalms 119:160

160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

Psalms 119:160 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:160

Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning
Every word of promise God made from the beginning of the world, and in any period of time; as to Adam, to Abraham, to the Israelites, or to any other person or persons; was true in itself, and faithfully performed, not one ever failed; particularly the promise concerning the Messiah, made to Adam in Eden; and which has been spoken of by all the prophets which have been since the world began, ( Genesis 3:15 ) ( Luke 1:70 ) . Or it maybe rendered, as the Targum,

``the beginning of thy word is truth F8:''

which a man finds to be so as soon as ever he enters upon the reading of it. Some refer this to the first chapter of Genesis; others to the first part of the decalogue, concerning the unity of God and his worship; so Aben Ezra, and R. Jeshua, as cited by him, and Jarchi; the same is mentioned by Kimchi as one of the senses, though the first he gives is agreeable to our version: but there is no need to restrain the sense to those particulars, or to the first part of the Scriptures, since the whole is truth; and the meaning may be, "the sum of thy word is truth" F9: so the word here used is sometimes taken for the sum of anything, ( Numbers 26:2 ) ( 31:26 ) ; all that is contained in the word of God is truth; its promises, precepts and doctrines, histories, prophecies and proverbs, all the sayings of it are faithful and true;

and everyone of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever;
every precept of the word, and doctrine of it; see ( Psalms 119:152 ) ( Psalms 19:8 Psalms 19:9 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F8 (tma Kyrbd var) "principium verbi tui veritas", Pagninus, Musculus; "vel verborum tuorum", V. L.
F9 "Summa verbi tui est veritas", Cocceius, Schmidt.

Psalms 119:160 In-Context

158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts; preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.