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Psalm 119:4
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
2Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Notice
The words “fully obey” leave no part of life outside the reach of God's precepts, raising the question of what obedience includes.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What difference does it make that these precepts come from God?
Write on thisWhere might “fully obey” ask more of you than agreeing with what Scripture says?
Write on thisHow does the next verse's longing for steadfastness shape your response to this command?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
1 John 5:3For this is loving God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous.Both passages speak of keeping God's commandments; John names that obedience as love for God.
John 14:21One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal …Keeping commandments is the shared thread, with Jesus identifying the person who keeps his commands as one who loves him.
Matthew 28:20teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.The psalm's call to full obedience parallels Jesus' instruction to teach people to observe all that he commanded.
Jeremiah 7:23but this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. Walk in all the way that I command you, that …Both passages present God as the one who commands and require obedience across the whole way he sets out.
Deuteronomy 28:1–14It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to the LORD your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that the LORD …Full obedience links these passages: the psalm speaks of obeying God's precepts, and Deuteronomy requires doing all his commandments.
2 Peter 1:5Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;The connection is broad: the psalm requires full obedience, while Peter urges diligence in adding moral excellence and knowledge to faith.
John 14:15If you love me, keep my commandments.Both texts require keeping commandments; Jesus connects keeping his commandments with love for him.
Deuteronomy 12:32Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.Both require doing what God commands in full; Deuteronomy also forbids adding to or taking away from those commands.
Philippians 4:8–9Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, …The link is broad: the psalm concerns obedience to God's precepts, while Philippians directs thought toward what is good.
Deuteronomy 30:16For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and …God's commands and the duty to keep them connect these texts; Deuteronomy also speaks of loving God and walking in his ways.
Joshua 1:7Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right …Full obedience is shared: Joshua must observe all the law, without turning to the right or left.
Deuteronomy 4:1Now, Israel, listen to the statutes and to the ordinances which I teach you, to do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD, the …Both passages treat God's instruction as something to do, with Deuteronomy teaching Israel statutes and ordinances for obedience.
Where this verse fits
Sermon or Bible study notes. temptation. an ordinary day.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The next line voices a longing for steadfastness. If obedience feels hard, that longing has a place in prayer. God's command remains clear, even where resolve feels weak.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 119:4. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).