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Psalm 119:59
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
57The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
Notice
The movement from considering to turning raises the question of where reflection leads, with God’s statutes setting the direction for the next steps.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What do your choices this week show about the direction of your steps?
Write on thisWhere, if anywhere, do you see a gap between considering God’s commands and acting on them?
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
2 Corinthians 13:5Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless …Both passages direct attention toward examining yourself, with Paul focusing on faith and the psalm on conduct.
Lamentations 3:40Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.Both passages join examining one’s ways with turning toward the LORD and his commands.
Proverbs 4:26Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.Both use feet and ways to describe conduct that needs deliberate attention and direction.
Ezekiel 18:28Because he considers, and turns away from all his transgressions that he has committed, he shall surely live. He shall not die.Both describe consideration leading to a turn, with Ezekiel naming the transgressions left behind.
2 Corinthians 12:21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, …Paul mourns sin left unrepented, while the psalm describes a change of direction toward God’s statutes.
Luke 15:17–20But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!The son’s recognition of his hunger shares the psalm’s moment of taking stock of one’s present condition.
Haggai 1:7“This is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways.Haggai commands consideration of one’s ways, the same examination the psalm’s speaker describes undertaking.
Job 22:3Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him that you make your ways perfect?Both mention a person’s ways before God, though Eliphaz questions their benefit to God while the psalm describes obedience.
Ezekiel 18:30“Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions, so …Both connect one’s ways with turning, while Ezekiel adds God’s judgment and a warning against ruin.
Haggai 1:5Now therefore this is what the LORD of Armies says: ‘Consider your ways.The LORD’s command through Haggai to consider one’s ways matches the reflection described in the psalm.
Ezra 10:3Now therefore let’s make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and those who are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who …Both name God’s law as the standard for action; Ezra concerns a specific covenant to send away wives and children.
Joel 2:13Tear your heart and not your garments, and turn to the LORD, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and …Both describe turning toward God, with Joel stressing a change of heart and the LORD’s mercy.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession. a big decision. an ordinary day.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
An honest look at your ways can lead to a changed direction. In this verse, reflection becomes action, and God’s statutes provide the course.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 119:59. 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).