I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

PSALMS 119:14KJV
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Psalms 119:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:14 mean?

Psalms 119:14 presents God’s instructions as something the speaker treasures, not merely something to obey. The speaker tells God that following the path marked out by those instructions has brought as much joy as possessing great wealth.

The comparison with “all riches” gives a measure of the speaker’s delight. After speaking of declaring God’s judgments in verse 13, the speaker describes a personal response to the path God’s testimonies set out.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:14

  • “testimonies” — עֵדוֹת (ʿedot): The word can refer to solemn statements or witnesses. In this psalm, “thy testimonies” refers to God’s stated instructions, which bear witness to what God requires.
  • “way” — דֶּרֶךְ (derekh): The word can mean a road or path. Here it pictures a course of conduct shaped by God’s testimonies.

Why Psalms 119:14 matters

  • The speaker addresses God directly. The words “thy testimonies” make the verse part of a personal address, rather than a general saying about valuable teachings.

  • The comparison puts joy alongside wealth as a measure of value. “As much as in all riches” shows the scale of the speaker’s response; the comparison does not require the speaker to possess those riches.

  • The surrounding lines place this delight among other responses to God’s words. Verses 15–16 speak of thinking about God’s ways and taking delight in his statutes, or rules.

Where else these words appear

“rejoiced” Hebrew H7797 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
  • Isaiah 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

“riches” Hebrew H1952 · used in 26 verses

  • Psalms 44:12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
  • Proverbs 12:27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
  • Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

“in” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
  • 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

“testimonies” Hebrew H5715 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
  • Exodus 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.