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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.