Bible Strands
Psalms 119:38
Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, making a request in the moment of turning away from worthless distractions and seeking spiritual revival. The plea follows a demand to avert dread by removing disgrace.
The words — הָקֵם (ha.Kem) means "fulfill" or "establish," and אִמְרָתֶךָ ('imratakha) translates literally as "Your word." The phrase לְיִרְאָתֶךָ (le-yir'atekha) states the purpose: "for fear of You."
The thread — The link between divine instruction and reverent fear runs through Jeremiah 32:39 and Psalms 147:11, 103:17, where fearing God is consistently tied to His covenant faithfulness and righteous judgments.
Why it lands — The text asks a reader to seek God's active work to internalize Scripture so that it produces concrete reverence rather than mere knowledge. It frames obedience as the direct result of divine establishment, not human effort.
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
Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 32:39 I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
- Psalms 147:11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.
- Psalms 103:17 But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—
- 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.
- 2 Samuel 7:25 And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised,
- Psalms 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.
- Psalms 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
- Psalms 119:49 Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope.
- Psalms 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.