Psalms 119:111
Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Study Note
Study Note
'Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart' — the Hebrew 'heritage' (naḥalâ) is the word for tribal land-inheritance in Israel, suggesting that the psalmist has claimed the Torah as permanent property in the same way that land-inheritance was inalienable. The 'for ever' qualifies not merely duration but the permanence of covenantal identity: the testimonies cannot be lost, sold, or forfeited. The emotional corollary — 'the rejoicing of my heart' — resists any reading of Torah-devotion as mere legalistic obligation, and anticipates Psalm 1's 'delight' in the law, shaping the tradition of Jewish and Christian lectio divina as joyful appropriation rather than anxious compliance.
Other Translations
Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inherited Thy testimonies to the age, For the joy of my heart <FI>are<Fi> they.
I have taken your unchanging word as an eternal heritage; for it is the joy of my heart.
Cross References
Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou …