Study 1- Keeping His Way

A Psalms 119 Study

Welcome friends to the beginning of my series of studies in Psalms 119. In this blog, we will being looking at chapters 1 to 8 (ALEPH) which talks about ‘Keeping His Ways’. This section of the psalms walks us through the positive outcomes of keeping God’s ways, and encourages us to pursue them.

So, let’s get out our bible study tools and get studying!

Prepare Your Mind

First, I like to start off with a prayer. This sets my mind in place, bringing me to the feet of the Lord and asking him to help me keep an open mind and put away my worries, placing any of my burdens onto the Saviours’ shoulders. Asking for guidance and wisdom before diving into His word, so that I read the text how it’s supposed to be read and interpreted. Thanking Him for the peace His word gives and the blessing of being in a country free to be able to own a Bible.

Here is an example of a prayer you may use:

Lord, as I open your Word, I pray that you would open my mind to understand and my heart to receive your truth. Guide me in my study and help me apply your teachings to my life. Amen.

Or, if you’re really stuck, you can use a prayer Jesus taught:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

– Luke 11:1-13

Let’s Read Together

Psalms 119: 1-8, NKJV

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, 
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgements.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

Analysing the Text

One of my favourite techniques for figuring out what a verse or chapter is truly trying to express is by highlighting. I begin by using blue to emphasise God’s character, beige to emphasise repetitive words, green to highlight God’s commands for us, red to highlight sin and human nature, purple to showcase God’s promises, and pink to highlight any key themes. In addition, I may underline phrases or words that I need to investigate further in order to deepen my understanding. 

So lets add our highlights!

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgements.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

When we look at this as a whole, we see that terms like “keep” and “way/s” dominate because they appear more than twice. This demonstrates to me the main point conveyed in these verses. By following God’s law and seeking Him, and earnestly keeping His precepts, we will find it easier to move away from iniquity and shame.

Additionally, the term “heart” appears twice, once at the beginning, in verse 2, and once at the end, verse 7. This suggests an intentional choice needs to be made to continually adhere to God and His ways. The psalmist, who is probably King David, expresses a need to learn of God’s righteous judgements in verse 7, which is the only instance in which God’s character is directly revealed.

Word Search

“KEEP”

The psalmist’s use of words like “keep” demonstrates his commitment to uphold God’s laws. The Hebrew word for ‘keep’ is shâmar, Strong’s 8104, appearing in verses 4, 5, and 8. It means to watch for, wait for, observe, guard, and protect. This is a verb challenges us to hold fast to God’s commands in the way we live our lives. Its meaning draws attention to the possibility of loss, and if we are not watchful, that we are holding in our hands could be taken away.

Notice, in verse 2, the word ‘keep’ has a different meaning. The Hebrew word is nâtsar, meaning to obey, preserve and maintain. The meaning within this word draws us less to the possibility of loss but more so the possibility of continuation. As a distinction from the other passages that use the term “keep,” this one also refers to the “whole heart.” This makes me think of the expression “a change of heart,” which typically refers to a person changing their behaviour in all aspects of their life—mind, body, and spirit. When you keep something your heart, it has a lasting impact.

“WAY/S”

The first thing I notice with the word ‘way’ being repeated, is the word before it! Verse 1 says the way, verse 3 says His ways, and verse 5 says my way. The verses go from the desire to be blameless and sinless, to the truth of human nature and our propensity for failure. Nonetheless, the psalmist acknowledges that God directs us in His ways by His love when we “look into all [His] commandments” (verse 6) and seek Him.

“The Hebrew word “derek” primarily refers to a physical path or road, but it is also used metaphorically to describe a course of life or mode of action. It can denote a journey or the manner in which one conducts oneself. In the Bible, “derek” often signifies the moral and spiritual path one chooses, reflecting obedience or disobedience to God’s commandments.” (ref 1.)

As demonstrated in Deuteronomy 10:12–13, where God tells Israel to walk in all of His ways and to love Him, the idea of walking in God’s ways has its roots in the covenant connection between God and His people. In John 14:6, Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Someone who completely walked in God’s ways as an example for us.

God’s Character

The desire to understand God’s “righteous judgements,” or the laws and decrees of God, is expressed by the psalmist. In the context of ancient Israel, understanding God’s laws was a personal and collective duty that was frequently taught through public readings and inherited gatherings. As shown in Deuteronomy 4:8, which emphasises the righteousness of God’s laws, the phrase “righteous judgements” emphasises the fairness and justice that are fundamental to God’s character.


Fact time! There are 118 Occurrences, in the Bible, of the Hebrew word ‘righteous’ used in Psalms 119:7. This word is ‘tsedeq’, meaning; to make right, prosperity, equity, even, cleanse or just, taken from Strongs 6664. There are 421 Occurrences of the word ‘judgements’ used in 119:7. This word is ‘mishpât’, meaning; formal decree, divine law, justice, a participant’s right or privilege, measure and manner of law, taken from Strongs 4941.

I found it fascinating with all the different verses in the Psalms it said ‘God’s judgements are righteous’, especially in Psalms 119.

Jeremiah 4:2 - And you shall swear, ‘The LORD lives,’ In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory.”

Psalms 19:9 - The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Psalms 119:7 - I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:62 - At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:106 - I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

Psalms 119:160 - The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

Psalms 119:164 - Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

2 Thessalonians 1:5 - ...Evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God...

It is so important to look at God’s character shining through the scripture. It develops a trusting relationship with Him, getting to know Him more. In Psalms 119, His message is revealed to us. We can trust Him with our concerns and worries about others and about ourselves. We know His judgements are righteous!

Other Translations

As much as I love my NKJV, it is a great thing to look up other versions. Other translations substitute words for another, sometimes including the root meaning in its most authentic form, whether it be Greek or Hebrew. By examining other translations, you can most definitely improve your understanding of scripture.

Here are a few different translations of Psalms 119:1-8:

The New International Version (NIV):

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! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.

The New Living Translation (NLT):

1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

English Standard Version (ESV):

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

King James Version (KJV):

1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

New King James Version (NKJV):

ALEPH Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

Lessons for Us

It Starts with the Way we Walk!

“Blessed are those who… walk in the law of the LORD!” – Psalms 119:1. Straight up psalms 119 presents us with a path that needs to be taken, a fork in the road, if you will. The Psalmist urges us to walk in God’s ways and within the boundaries He has set, and how blessed we will be if we obey these laws. Which way will you walk today, your way or God’s way?

Seeking Him with our Whole Heart!

“Blessed are those who… seek Him with the whole heart!” – Psalms 119:2. Seeking the Lord is one thing, but it also comes down to our motives behind seeking Him. Are we seeking Him just to gain something selfishly, to challenge and test Him, or to prove something to others? We are blessed when we seek god will our whole hearts. Not partially or out of selfish gain. Just a very chapters over in Psalms 119:36 the psalmist pleas, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness,” or as it says in the NIV “…not toward selfish gain.” Praying, for example, can really turn your thoughts around and put your heart in the right place to further seek Him.

Trusting His Judgements!

“I will praise you… when I learn Your righteous judgements.” – Psalms 119:7. We’ve learnt that God’s judgements are righteous, just and trustworthy. He will make the best decision possible with what is presented to Him and we need to trust that. Are you worrying about a family members decisions within their faith journey? I know I have. But it is in these moments that we need to surrender to God, submit to Him and trust that He will make righteous judgements towards that person of concern. This is a God who loves mercy and righteousness. We can trust Him. We can!

And Finally…

Keeping His Ways!

“You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.” – Psalms 119:4. By keeping his ways we pull further away from iniquity and shame, as it says in the verses before and after this sections of scripture. We know to keep His ways, we need to be actively watching, waiting, observing and guarding them close to our hearts. By doing this we automatically start walking the path that leads to life. A path that leads to salvation and righteousness.

So “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2.

References

1. Strong’s Hebrew: 1870. דְּרָכַ֫יִם (derek) — Way, road, path, journey, manner, conduct. (2025). Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1870.htm
2. The New King James Bible. (1979). Thomas Nelson Inc.