Bible Strands
Psalms 119:32
I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD in the second stanza of the acrostic (vv. 25–32), positioned between a plea not to be shamed (v. 31) and a request for instruction (v. 33).
The words — רָחַב (rakhav, H7337) means "to broaden, enlarge"; it is the same root used of God widening a path in Psalm 18:36. The verb אָרַץ ('arats, H7323) "I run" marks eager, purposeful motion rather than casual walking.
The thread — Psalm 18:36 uses the same root: "You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way," pairing divine enlargement with human stability.
Why it lands — The verse ties the capacity to obey to the act of obeying: the heart is enlarged because the person runs in the commandments, not before. It asks the reader to stop waiting for motivation and treat the running itself as the mechanism by which desire is produced.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Psalms 18:36 You broaden the path beneath me so that my ankles do not give way.
- John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
- Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.
- Psalms 119:45 And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.
- Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
- Luke 1:74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
- 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize.