Psalm 119:59
New International Version
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.

New Living Translation
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

English Standard Version
When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;

Berean Standard Bible
I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.

King James Bible
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

New King James Version
I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

New American Standard Bible
I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

NASB 1995
I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

NASB 1977
I considered my ways, And turned my feet to Thy testimonies.

Legacy Standard Bible
I thought upon my ways And I turned my feet to Your testimonies.

Amplified Bible
I considered my ways And turned my feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.

Christian Standard Bible
I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees.

American Standard Version
I thought on my ways, And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Contemporary English Version
I pay careful attention as you lead me, and I follow closely.

English Revised Version
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have thought about my life, and I have directed my feet back to your written instructions.

Good News Translation
I have considered my conduct, and I promise to follow your instructions.

International Standard Version
I examined my lifestyle and set my feet in the direction of your decrees.

Majority Standard Bible
I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.

NET Bible
I consider my actions and follow your rules.

New Heart English Bible
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

Webster's Bible Translation
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies.

World English Bible
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have reckoned my ways, "" And turn back my feet to Your testimonies.

Young's Literal Translation
I have reckoned my ways, And turn back my feet unto Thy testimonies.

Smith's Literal Translation
I reckoned my ways, and I will turn back my feet to thy testimonies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have considered my ways, and I have turned my feet toward your testimonies.

New American Bible
I have examined my ways and turned my steps to your testimonies.

New Revised Standard Version
When I think of your ways, I turn my feet to your decrees;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to thy paths.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I considered my ways and I turned my feet to your steps.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I considered my ways, And turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I thought on thy ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
58I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. 59I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. 60I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.…

Cross References
Luke 15:17-20
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ ...

Lamentations 3:40
Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?

Proverbs 4:26-27
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. / Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.

James 1:23-25
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. / But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Haggai 1:5-7
Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. / You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” / This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Ezekiel 18:27-28
But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. / Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Jeremiah 31:18-19
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 11:28
Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

Galatians 6:4
Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.

Job 34:31-32
Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. / Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

1 John 3:20-21
Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. / Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,


Treasury of Scripture

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.

thought

Lamentations 3:40
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Ezekiel 18:28,30
Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die…

Haggai 1:5,7
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways…

turned

Deuteronomy 4:30,31
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; …

Jeremiah 8:4-6
Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? …

Jeremiah 31:18,19
I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God…

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














I considered my ways
This phrase reflects a moment of introspection and self-examination. In biblical context, self-reflection is a common theme, as seen in Lamentations 3:40, "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." The act of considering one's ways implies a recognition of one's actions and their alignment with God's will. This introspection is crucial for repentance, a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew culture placed a strong emphasis on the heart and mind as the seat of moral and spiritual life, making this consideration a deeply personal and spiritual act.

and turned my steps
The turning of one's steps signifies repentance and a deliberate change in direction. In the Hebrew language, the concept of "turning" is often associated with repentance, as seen in the word "shuv," which means to return or turn back. This action is not merely a mental decision but involves a tangible change in behavior and lifestyle. The historical context of ancient Israel involved a covenant relationship with God, where turning back to God was a return to covenant faithfulness. This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where repentance is a turning away from sin and towards God, as seen in Acts 3:19, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out."

to Your testimonies
The term "testimonies" refers to God's laws and decrees, which are a witness to His character and will. In the context of Psalm 119, the psalmist frequently uses various terms like "law," "statutes," "commandments," and "testimonies" to describe God's Word. The testimonies are seen as divine instructions that guide the believer's life. Historically, the testimonies were given to Israel as part of the covenant at Sinai, serving as a guide for righteous living. This phrase underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's revealed Word, which is a consistent theme throughout Scripture. The testimonies are not just rules but are seen as life-giving and protective, pointing ultimately to Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law and the embodiment of God's Word (John 1:14).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing a deep personal reflection and commitment to God's Word.

2. God
The divine being to whom the psalmist is directing his thoughts and actions, seeking alignment with His testimonies.

3. Testimonies
Refers to God's laws, decrees, and commandments as revealed in the Scriptures, which the psalmist aims to follow.
Teaching Points
Self-Examination
The psalmist's consideration of his ways encourages believers to regularly reflect on their own lives and actions in light of God's Word.

Repentance and Realignment
Turning one's steps to God's testimonies involves repentance and a conscious decision to align one's life with biblical principles.

Commitment to Scripture
The verse underscores the importance of a committed relationship with Scripture, viewing it as the ultimate guide for life.

Active Obedience
The psalmist's action of turning his steps signifies the necessity of active obedience to God's commands, not just passive acknowledgment.

Spiritual Growth
Regular reflection and alignment with God's Word are essential for spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian faith.(59) I thought on.--The Hebrew implies repeated and frequent meditation.

Verse 59. - I thought on my ways; i.e. I examined my conduct in the past, considered it, and passed judgment upon it. And turned my feet unto thy testimonies. When I found my conduct amiss, I altered it, turning my feet into the way of thy commandments.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I considered
חִשַּׁ֥בְתִּי (ḥiš·šaḇ·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

my ways
דְרָכָ֑י (ḏə·rā·ḵāy)
Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and turned
וָאָשִׁ֥יבָה (wā·’ā·šî·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

my steps
רַ֝גְלַ֗י (raḡ·lay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Your testimonies.
עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ (‘ê·ḏō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:59 I considered my ways and turned my (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:58
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