Verse 113 in the Bible: Psalm 119:113 Explained
The only “verse 113” in the Bible is Psalm 119:113: “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love” (KJV). Psalm 119 is the only chapter with more than 113 verses. If you were looking for the chapter Psalm 113 (“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust”), it has its own page.
Psalm 119:113–114 (KJV)
113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
— Psalm 119:113–114, King James Version (public domain)
What Psalm 119:113 means
The verse sets two attitudes side by side. The Hebrew word behind “vain thoughts” describes something divided or wavering – which is why many modern translations speak of “double-minded” people. A closely related word appears in Elijah's challenge on Mount Carmel: “How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21).
Against that divided heart, the psalmist states a single loyalty: “thy law do I love”. In Psalm 119, “law” (Hebrew torah) means God's whole instruction, not only rules. Verse 114 gives the reason: God is a hiding place and shield, so his word can be trusted.
Where verse 113 sits in Psalm 119
- Psalm 119 is an acrostic: 22 stanzas × 8 verses = 176 verses, following the Hebrew alphabet.
- Verses 113–120 are the 15th stanza, Samekh (ס); each verse in Hebrew starts with that letter.
- The stanza contrasts faithfulness to God with the instability of the wicked, and ends with reverent awe (v. 120).
Other Bible references people mean by “113”
| Reference | What it is |
|---|---|
| Psalm 113 | The 113th psalm: a hymn of praise, first psalm of the Passover Hallel |
| Psalm 119:113 | The only verse numbered 113 (this page) |
| John 1:13 | “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” |
For the themes and background of Psalm 113, see Psalm 113 meaning, Hallel, Hannah and the Magnificat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse is number 113?
Psalm 119:113 is the only verse numbered 113 in the Bible, because Psalm 119 (176 verses) is the only chapter that long. In the KJV it reads: “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.” If you meant the whole chapter Psalm 113, see our Psalm 113 verse-by-verse page.
What does Psalm 119:113 mean?
The psalmist contrasts two loyalties: he rejects a divided, wavering heart (“vain thoughts” in the KJV; many modern versions say “double-minded” people) and commits himself wholeheartedly to God's law. It is a statement of undivided devotion.
Why does Psalm 119:113 start a new section?
Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic: 22 stanzas of 8 verses, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verses 113–120 form the 15th stanza, Samekh, and in Hebrew each of its verses begins with that letter.
What is the difference between Psalm 113 and Psalm 119:113?
Psalm 113 is a whole nine-verse psalm of praise that opens the Passover Hallel. Psalm 119:113 is a single verse inside the longest psalm, about loving God's law with an undivided heart. They are unrelated apart from the number.