Psalms 119:45

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:45 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.
Psalms 119:45 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
45And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will walk at liberty, etc.] Not in licentious way, but in Gospel liberty, under the influence of the free spirit; where is liberty, in the exercise of grace and discharge of duty. Or, “I will walk at large” f1658; or, “in a broad way”, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi supply it: not in the broad road that leads to destruction, but in the law of God, which is exceeding broad, (<19B996>Psalm 119:96); as the Targum, “in the breadth of the law.” So a man walks when he walks in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord: and who also may be said to walk at large when delivered out of straits and difficulties; when he is brought into a large place, and his steps are enlarged under him; and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I will walk at liberty - Margin, “at large.” Luther renders it, “freely.” The Septuagint, “in a broad place.” The Hebrew word means “wide, broad, large, spacious.” The reference is to that which is free and open; that in which there are no limits, checks, restraints; where a man does what he pleases. The meaning here is, that he would feel he was free. He would not be restrained by evil passions and corrupt desires. He would be delivered from those things which seemed to fetter his goings. This does not here refer so much to external troubles or hindrances, to being oppressed and straitened by external foes, as to internal enemies - to the servitude of sin - to the slavery of appetite…”
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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
“At liberty - Enjoy great freedom and comfort in thy ways. Psalms 119:48”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“And I will: Psa 119:133; Luk 4:18; Joh 8:30-36; Jam 1:25, Jam 2:12; Pe2 2:19 at liberty: Heb. at large, Psa 119:32 for I seek: Psa 119:19, Psa 119:71, Psa 119:94, Psa 119:148, Psa 119:162; Pro 2:4, Pro 2:5, Pro 18:1; Ecc 1:13; Joh 5:39; Eph 5:17 Psalms 119:46”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification