Psalms 119:103

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [Yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מַה־נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ מִדְּבַ֥שׁ לְפִֽי׃

Transliteration

How-nimlәṣû to-ḥikkî ʾimrātekā from-dәbaš to-mouth-my

Grammar Details

*nimlәṣû*: niphal perfect 3rd person plural - they are sweet/pleasant
*ḥikkî*: masculine singular noun with 1st person singular suffix - my palate
*ʾimrātekā*: feminine singular noun with 2nd person masculine singular suffix - your word/saying
*dәbaš*: masculine singular noun - honey
*mâ*: interrogative particle - how/what
*lә-*: preposition - to/for
*pî*: masculine singular noun with 1st person singular suffix - my mouth

Word Meanings

*nimlәṣû*: they are sweet/pleasant/smooth
*ḥikkî*: my palate/taste/mouth
*ʾimrātekā*: your word/saying/speech/promise
*dәbaš*: honey

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 8:11 : 11 For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared unto it.
Prov 24:13-14 : 13 My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 14 So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.
Ps 19:10 : 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
Ps 63:5 : 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips;
Job 23:12 : 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Song 5:1 : 1 I am come into my garden, my sister, [my] bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
Prov 3:17 : 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.
Song 1:2-4 : 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine. 3 Thine oils have a goodly fragrance; Thy name is [as] oil poured forth; Therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Ps 19:10-11
2 verses
84%
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward.
Prov 16:24
77%
24Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Prov 24:13
77%
13My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste:
Ps 119:127
76%
127Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
Ps 119:72
76%
72The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
Ps 119:102
75%
102I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.
Ps 119:140
74%
140Thy word is very pure; Therefore thy servant loveth it.
Ps 119:171-172
2 verses
74%
171Let my lips utter praise; For thou teachest me thy statutes.
172Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
Ps 119:10-14
5 verses
74%
10With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
11Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
12Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.
13With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.
14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
Ps 104:34
74%
34Let thy meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.
Ps 119:97-99
3 verses
74%
97MEM. Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
98Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.
Ps 119:129-131
3 verses
74%
129PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
130The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
131I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for thy commandments.
Job 23:12
73%
12I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Ps 119:159-160
2 verses
73%
159Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
160The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances [endureth] for ever.
Ps 119:104-105
2 verses
73%
104Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
Jer 15:16
73%
16Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy words were unto me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts.
Ps 141:6
73%
6Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock; And they shall hear my words; For they are sweet.
Prov 22:18
72%
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee, If they be established together upon thy lips.
Ps 119:43
72%
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
Ps 119:162
72%
162I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
Prov 27:7
72%
7The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
Ps 63:3
72%
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee.
Ps 119:174
72%
174I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; And thy law is my delight.
Ps 119:167
72%
167My soul hath observed thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
Ps 119:47
72%
47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved.
Ps 119:143
72%
143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; [Yet] thy commandments are my delight.
Ps 119:16
72%
16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Ps 119:111
71%
111Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Ps 119:77
71%
77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.
Song 1:2
71%
2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; For thy love is better than wine.
Ps 119:88
71%
88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
Job 34:3
71%
3For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food.
Ps 119:108
71%
108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances.
Prov 23:16
71%
16Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.
Ps 119:35
71%
35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
Ps 119:57
71%
57HHETH. Jehovah is my portion: I have said that I would observe thy words.
Ps 119:66
70%
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.
Ps 119:24
70%
24Thy testimonies also are my delight [And] my counsellors.