For all his ordinances were before me. As for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
Parallel translations
- KJV For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
- BSB For all His ordinances are before me; I have not disregarded His statutes.
- NKJV For all His judgments were before me; And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them.
- NASB “For all His ordinances were before me, And as for His statutes, I did not deviate from them.
- NLT I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David kept God's ordinances and statutes ever before him. He delighted to live by God's revealed law.
Overview
David testifies that God's commands were his constant guide, not cast aside for self-will. This devotion to God's word reflects the heart of true faith. It echoes the blessed man of Psalm 1 and finds its perfect expression in Christ, who delighted to do the Father's will.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Ps 119:102I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
- Ps 119:30I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
- John 15:14You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
- Deut 6:1–2Now this is the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you go over to possess it;
- Luke 1:6They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
- Ps 119:128Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY
- Deut 7:12It shall happen, because you listen to these ordinances, and keep and do them, that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers.
- Ps 119:13With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
- Ps 19:8–9Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
- Ps 119:6Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
- Deut 8:11Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today;
- Ps 119:86All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
- Deut 6:6–9These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 22:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.