Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

PSALMS 119:29KJV
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Psalms 119:29 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:29 mean?

Psalms 119:29 is a prayer asking God to take away the tendency or path of lying from the speaker and instead to give the gift of understanding and following God’s law. The verse shows a desire to move away from dishonesty and to receive God’s teachings as a gracious gift.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be the psalmist, likely King David, addressing God directly. The verse comes from a long psalm where the writer expresses deep longing to live according to God’s instructions. Here, the psalmist recognizes both the danger of falsehood and the need for God’s help to live truthfully, seeing God’s law as something received by grace rather than earned.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:29

  • "Remove" (סוּר, sur, H5493): This word means to turn aside or take away. The psalmist is not just asking for help resisting lying, but for God to actively take away the entire path or habit of falsehood.
  • "Way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek, H1870): This word often means a road or path, but here it refers to a way of living or a pattern of behavior. The psalmist is concerned about a whole lifestyle shaped by lying, not just isolated acts.
  • "Lying" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer, H8267): This word means falsehood or deception. The concern is with all kinds of dishonesty, not just spoken lies.
  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה, torah, H8451): This word means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. The psalmist wants to receive God’s guidance for life.
  • "Graciously" (חָנַן, chanan, H2603): This word means to show favor or be gracious. The psalmist sees understanding God’s law as something God must give out of kindness, not something the psalmist can achieve alone.

Why Psalms 119:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the psalmist sees the tendency to lie as a deep-rooted problem, not just an occasional slip, and asks for God’s intervention to remove it entirely.
  • The verse highlights that following God’s law is not just about personal effort but depends on God’s gracious help, showing a humble attitude toward spiritual growth.
  • In the context of Psalm 119, which repeatedly celebrates God’s word, this verse shows that the psalmist’s desire for truthfulness is directly connected to a longing for God’s teaching.

Where else these words appear

“graciously” Hebrew H2603 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
  • Job 19:16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
  • Psalms 102:14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

“lying” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.