Psalms 119:11

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
Psalms 119:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“In God have I put my trust, etc.] (See Gill on “<195604>Psalm 56:4”); I will not be afraid what man can do unto me; the same with flesh in (<195604>Psalm 56:4), and is opposed to God, in whom he trusted; and it suggests that he was not, and would not, be afraid of the greatest of men, as well as of the meanest; (see Gill on “<195604>Psalm 56:4”); Arama distinguishes between “flesh” and “man”; the former, he says, means the Philistines, and the latter Saul and his army.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart - Compare the notes at Psalms 37:31. The word rendered “hid” means properly to conceal, so that a thing may be secret, private, inaccessible; then, to lay up in private, to treasure up. to hoard - as money or jewels - commonly “hidden” from public view. Job 20:26; Psalms 17:14. Then it means to lay up in one’s heart, as a secret, inaccessible place; to hide one’s thoughts; purposes, designs; or to lay up knowledge or wisdom in the heart as a treasure, Job 10:13; Proverbs 2:1; Proverbs 7:1. The meaning here is, that he had “treasured” up the word of God, as the most valuable thing, in his heart; it was “there,” though unseen; it constituted the secret power…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Hid - I have laid it up in my mind like a choice treasure, to be ready upon all occasions to counsel, quicken or caution me. Psalms 119:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thy word: Psa 119:97, Psa 1:2, Psa 37:31, Psa 40:8; Job 22:22; Pro 2:1, Pro 2:10, Pro 2:11; Isa 51:7; Jer 15:16; Luk 2:19, Luk 2:51; Col 3:16 that I: Psa 19:13 Psalms 119:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification