Psalms 119:98

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

מֵ֭אֹ֣יְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי מִצְוֺתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם הִיא־לִֽי׃

Transliteration

From my enemies mēʾōyəḇay you make me wiser təḥakkəmēnî through your commandments miṣwōṯêḵā; for kî forever ləʿôlām they are hîʾ mine lî.

Grammar Details

*mēʾōyəḇay*: preposition + noun masculine plural construct + 1st person singular suffix - from my enemies
*təḥakkəmēnî*: piel imperfect 2nd person masculine singular + 1st person singular suffix - you make me wiser
*miṣwōṯêḵā*: feminine plural construct + 2nd person masculine singular suffix - your commandments
*kî*: conjunction - for/because
*ləʿôlām*: preposition + noun masculine singular - forever
*hîʾ*: 3rd person feminine singular pronoun - it/she
*lî*: preposition + 1st person singular suffix - to me/mine

Word Meanings

*mēʾōyəḇay*: from my enemies/from my foes/than my adversaries
*təḥakkəmēnî*: you make me wiser/you give me more wisdom/you make me more skilled
*miṣwōṯêḵā*: your commandments/your orders/your instructions
*ləʿôlām*: forever/eternally/always
*hîʾ-lî*: they are mine/they belong to me/they are with me

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

ESVNIVCSBNLTNASBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Deut 4:6 : 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
Deut 4:8 : 8 And what great nation is there, that hath statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
1 Sam 18:5 : 5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
1 Sam 18:14 : 14 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and Jehovah was with him.
1 Sam 18:30 : 30 Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, as often as they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much [ set by.]
Ps 119:11 : 11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
Ps 119:30 : 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set [before me].
Ps 119:104-105 : 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. 105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.
Prov 2:6 : 6 For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding:
Col 3:16 : 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
Jas 1:25 : 25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and [so] continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.

Similar Verses (AI)

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

Ps 119:99-100
2 verses
81%
99I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
Ps 119:93-97
5 verses
74%
93I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me.
94I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts.
95The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me; [But] I will consider thy testimonies.
96I have seen an end of all perfection; [But] thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97MEM. Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
Ps 119:66
74%
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge; For I have believed in thy commandments.
Ps 119:142-144
3 verses
73%
142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy law is truth.
143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; [Yet] thy commandments are my delight.
144Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Ps 119:127-129
3 verses
73%
127Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts concerning all [things] to be right; [And] I hate every false way.
129PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
Ps 119:157
73%
157Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; [Yet] have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
Ps 119:168
72%
168I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies; For all my ways are before thee.
Ps 119:72-73
2 verses
72%
72The law of thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
73YODH. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Ps 119:10-12
3 verses
72%
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.
Ps 119:151-152
2 verses
71%
151Thou art nigh, O Jehovah; And all thy commandments are truth.
152Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever.
2 Sam 22:41
71%
41Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.
Ps 119:4
71%
4Thou hast commanded [us] thy precepts, That we should observe them diligently.
Ps 119:171-172
2 verses
71%
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 18:39-40
2 verses
71%
39For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
40Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me.
Ps 119:86
71%
86All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; Help thou me.
Ps 119:47
71%
47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved.
Ps 119:23-24
2 verses
71%
23Princes also sat and talked against me; [But] thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
24Thy testimonies also are my delight [And] my counsellors.
Ps 119:102-104
3 verses
71%
102I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me.
103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [Yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!
104Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way.
Ps 119:138
70%
138Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
Ps 119:125
70%
125I am thy servant; Give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
Ps 119:34-35
2 verses
70%
34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight.
Ps 5:8
70%
8Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.
Ps 119:56
70%
56This I have had, Because I have kept thy precepts.
Ps 119:111
70%
111Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
Ps 119:119
69%
119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.
Ps 119:68
69%
68Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes.
Ps 27:11
69%
11Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; And lead me in a plain path, Because of mine enemies.
Ps 9:3
69%
3When mine enemies turn back, They stumble and perish at thy presence.
Ps 119:14
69%
14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
Ps 38:19
69%
19But mine enemies are lively, [and] are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
Ps 119:79
69%
79Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies.