(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your laws.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; And teach me thy statutes.
Make thy face{H6440} to shine{H215} upon thy servant{H5650}; and teach{H3925} me thy statutes{H2706}.
Psalm 119:135, "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes," is part of the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, which is an acrostic poem extolling the virtues of God's law. Each of its 22 stanzas begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and this particular verse falls under the section for the letter "He."
The verse echoes the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26, where God instructs Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites by saying, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." The imagery of God's face shining upon someone is a symbol of divine favor, blessing, and presence.
In Psalm 119:135, the psalmist is expressing a deep desire for God's favor and guidance. The request for God's face to shine upon the servant is not merely for personal benefit but also for divine illumination to understand and live by God's statutes. The verse reflects a humble recognition that wisdom and understanding come from God, and it is through His teaching that one can properly discern and follow His commandments.
Historically, this verse is set within the broader context of ancient Israel, where the law was central to the religious and moral life of the people. The psalmist's plea for divine instruction underscores the high regard for the Torah (the Law of Moses) and the belief that a life lived in accordance with God's statutes is a life full of blessing and righteousness.
In summary, Psalm 119:135 encapsulates the themes of divine blessing, guidance, and instruction. The psalmist seeks God's favorable presence as a source of light for understanding and adhering to God's laws, reflecting a deep devotion to the Torah and an acknowledgment of the need for God's help in living a life that is pleasing to Him.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)