Psalms 119:169

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Complete Jewish Bible:

(Tav) Let my cry come before you, ADONAI; in keeping with your word, give me understanding.

Berean Standard Bible:

May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.

American Standard Version:

Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

TAU. Let my cry{H7440} come near{H7126} before{H6440} thee, O LORD{H3068}: give me understanding{H995} according to thy word{H1697}.

Cross-References (KJV):

James 1:5

  • If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Psalms 119:144

  • The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Psalms 119:145

  • ¶ KOPH. I cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

Proverbs 2:3

  • Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;

Proverbs 2:5

  • Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Psalms 18:6

  • In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

2 Chronicles 1:10

  • Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, [that is so] great?

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Commentary for Psalms 119:169



Psalm 119:169 is part of the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, which is an acrostic poem consisting of 22 stanzas, each stanza beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The verse falls under the final stanza, which starts with the letter "Tau," the last letter in the Hebrew alphabet, signifying completeness or a final appeal.

In this verse, the psalmist calls out to God with urgency and intimacy, pleading for divine attention: "Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD." This reflects a deep longing for closeness to God and a desire for prayer to be heard and acknowledged. The psalmist is not merely asking for God to listen but for God to draw near, implying a relationship where God's presence is sought as much as His intervention.

The second part of the verse, "give me understanding according to thy word," reveals the psalmist's quest for wisdom and insight that aligns with God's teachings. This request underscores the belief that true understanding comes from God and is rooted in His word—the Torah or the Law. The psalmist recognizes that comprehending God's precepts is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God.

Historically, this verse reflects the religious fervor and devotion to the Law that characterized much of Jewish spirituality during the Second Temple period, which is when many scholars believe Psalm 119 was composed. It encapsulates the writer's profound reverence for the divine word and the desire to live in accordance with it, a theme that resonates with both Jewish and Christian traditions, emphasizing the importance of scriptural study and obedience to God's commandments.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H7440
    There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רִנָּה
    Transliteration: rinnâh
    Pronunciation: rin-naw'
    Description: from רָנַן; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief); cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph.
  2. Strong's Number: H7126
    There are 259 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָרַב
    Transliteration: qârab
    Pronunciation: kaw-rab'
    Description: a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose; (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
  3. Strong's Number: H6440
    There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּנִים
    Transliteration: pânîym
    Pronunciation: paw-neem'
    Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
  4. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  5. Strong's Number: H995
    There are 162 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בִּין
    Transliteration: bîyn
    Pronunciation: bene
    Description: a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand; attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man).
  6. Strong's Number: H1697
    There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּבָר
    Transliteration: dâbâr
    Pronunciation: daw-baw'
    Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.