King James Version

What Does Psalms 119:160 Mean?

Psalms 119:160 in the King James Version says “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Thy word: Heb. The begi...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 119 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Thy word: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true”

Psalms 119:160 · KJV

Context

158

I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159

Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

160

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Thy word: Heb. The beginning of thy word is true

161

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162

I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Read Psalms 119 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." The Hebrew rosh devarekha emet (the sum/beginning of your word is truth) affirms Scripture's total truthfulness. Rosh means head, beginning, sum, chief—encompassing both initial principle and comprehensive totality. Emet (truth/faithfulness/reliability) indicates absolute correspondence to reality, complete trustworthiness. "Every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever"—u'le'olam kol mishpat tsidkekha (and forever all the judgment of your righteousness). God's mishpat (judgments/ordinances) possess eternal validity because they flow from His tsedek (righteousness). This totalizing claim—"every one"—permits no exceptions. Jesus affirmed: "thy word is truth" (John 17:17) and "scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). Reformed confessions assert Scripture's infallibility and inerrancy in all it affirms.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Hittite treaties) claimed divine authorization but were limited to specific times and contexts. Israel's Torah claimed universal and eternal authority as direct divine revelation (Exodus 20:1, Deuteronomy 5:4-5). When kings revised or ignored God's law, prophets condemned them (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Kings 11:9-13). Josiah's reform centered on recovering Scripture's authority (2 Kings 22-23). Jesus battled religious leaders who elevated tradition over Scripture (Mark 7:6-13). Early church fathers defended Scripture against Gnostic claims of secret, extra-biblical revelation. Church history's battles over sola scriptura reflect this verse's claim: God's Word alone possesses eternal, absolute authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does affirming Scripture's complete truthfulness affect how you approach difficult or culturally unpopular passages?
  2. What competing authorities (tradition, reason, experience, culture) tempt you to qualify Scripture's truth claims?
  3. In what practical ways do you demonstrate trust in the eternal validity of God's righteous judgments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
רֹאשׁ1 of 7

“from the beginning”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

דְּבָרְךָ֥2 of 7

“Thy word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֱמֶ֑ת3 of 7

“is true”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּ֝לְעוֹלָ֗ם4 of 7

“endureth for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

כָּל5 of 7
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִשְׁפַּ֥ט6 of 7

“judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

צִדְקֶֽךָ׃7 of 7

“and every one of thy righteous”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 119:160 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 119:160 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 30:52 Timothy 3:16Psalms 119:144Matthew 5:18Psalms 119:142Ecclesiastes 3:14

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 119 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 119 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes