What Does Psalm 119:1 Mean in the King James?
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew word behind “undefiled” means whole, so flourishing here is lived as a walk within the LORD’s instruction.
THE MEANING
Flourishing takes shape in a life that is whole along the way, with each step moving within the LORD’s instruction. Wholeness is shown in the ongoing walk, not as a claim of having arrived.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that wholeness is proved by having arrived: here it appears in the continuing walk.
THE ROOT
תְּמִימֵי
temimei
GROWS FROM
תמם
To be complete, whole, or brought to completion.
The word translated “undefiled” comes from a root of wholeness and completeness. It makes flourishing about a life that holds together along the way, rather than a spotless appearance.
ALSO GROWS
tam: Whole, blameless
תָּם
This branch carries the same sense of an undivided life.
tamim: Whole, complete, blameless
תָּמִים
The verse describes those on the way with this word of wholeness.
תּוֹרַת
torat
GROWS FROM
ירה
To point, direct, or instruct.
“law” in this verse is torat. Torah carries the sense of instruction that points a way. The LORD’s instruction gives direction to the walk described in the verse.
ALSO GROWS
yarah: To direct, instruct, or point
יָרָה
Its sense of direction illuminates Torah as guidance for the way.
moreh: Teacher or instructor
מוֹרֶה
This branch shows the instructional quality carried by Torah.
הֹלְכִים
holkhim
GROWS FROM
הלך
To go or walk.
“walk” in this verse is holkhim. Holkhim describes people as walkers, moving in an ongoing way. The verse presents wholeness as lived movement along the path.
ALSO GROWS
holekh: One who goes or walks
הוֹלֵךְ
It shares the verse’s picture of a person moving along a way.
halikhah: Walking or a journey
הֲלִיכָה
This branch keeps the emphasis on a path experienced through movement.
THE PATTERN
Flourishing takes shape when the LORD’s instruction becomes a way of life that is walked.
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.THE THREAD
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.Psalm 18:30 uses תָּמִים (tamim, whole or complete) for “perfect,” from the same root תמם (tamam, to be whole or complete) as “undefiled” here. The same word-shape describes both the walker and God’s way, bringing their wholeness together.
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