Psalms 119:2

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—

Psalms 119:2 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
The Message Bible (MSG)
2 You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, That seek him with the whole heart.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
2 Blessed are those who obey his written instructions. They wholeheartedly search for him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
2 Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws. They trust in him with all their hearts.

Psalms 119:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:2

Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies
The whole word of God, the Scriptures of truth, are his testimonies: they testify of the mind of God, and of his love and grace in the method of salvation by Christ; they testify of Christ, his person, offices, and grace; of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow; and of all the happiness that comes to the people of God thereby. The law is called a testimony, which being put into the ark, that had the name of the ark of the testimony. This is a testimony of the perfections of God, his holiness, justice, and goodness displayed in it; and of his good and perfect will, what should or should not be done. The Gospel is the testimony of Christ, of what he is, has done and suffered for his people, and of the blessings of grace by him; the ordinances of it, baptism and the Lord's supper, testify of the love of God, and grace of Christ; and all these good men keep: they keep the Scriptures as a sacred "depositum"; they hold fast the faithful word of the Gospel, that no man take it from them; and are desirous of observing both the law of God, as in the hands of Christ; and the ordinances of the Gospel, as delivered by him, from a principle of love to him; and such are happy persons in life, at death, and to all eternity;

[and that] seek him with the whole heart;
that is, that seek the Lord by prayer and supplication, with a true heart, and in sincerity; that seek to know more of him, and that in good earnest; that seek for communion and fellowship with him, with the Spirit within them, with all their heart and soul; that seek Christ, and God in Christ, his kingdom, and his righteousness, and that in the first place, early, earnestly, and diligently. The Targum is,

``they seek his doctrine with the whole heart.''

Psalms 119:2 In-Context

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!

Cross References 4

  • 1. Psalms 112:1; Isaiah 56:2
  • 2. ver 146; Psalms 99:7
  • 3. S 1 Chronicles 16:11; S Psalms 40:16
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 6:5
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.