Psalms 119:70 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:70 mean?

Psalms 119:70 contrasts people whose hearts are described as insensitive or unfeeling (“as fat as grease”) with the psalmist, who finds joy in God’s law. The verse highlights a difference between those who ignore or reject God’s ways and someone who treasures and delights in them.

The speaker is the psalmist, addressing God about people who oppose or disregard him. The phrase “their heart is as fat as grease” uses a physical image to describe spiritual dullness or a lack of sensitivity toward God. In contrast, the psalmist expresses a deep personal pleasure in following God’s teachings, setting up a clear difference between the two attitudes.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:70

• heart (לֵב, lev): This word refers to the inner self or will, not just emotions. The verse is talking about the core of a person’s character, not just feelings.
• fat (טָפַשׁ, tafash) and grease (חֵלֶב, chelev): “Fat” and “grease” together create a picture of something thick, insensitive, or unresponsive. In ancient Hebrew, “fatness” could suggest being dull or closed off, not just physically but spiritually.
• delight (שָׁעַע, sha’a): This word means to take pleasure in or to enjoy deeply. The psalmist is not just obeying God’s law out of duty but finds real joy in it.
• law (תּוֹרָה, torah): This refers to God’s instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. It includes all of God’s guidance for living.

Why Psalms 119:70 matters

• The verse clears up that “fatness” here is not about physical health but about a spiritual condition—being unresponsive or indifferent to God.
• It emphasizes that delighting in God’s law is not just about following rules but about a heartfelt joy and connection to God’s guidance.
• This contrast between spiritual dullness and joy in God’s law runs throughout Psalm 119, helping the reader see the psalmist’s deep love for God’s ways even when others do not share it.