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Commentary on Psalms 119 verse 136
Here we have David in sorrow. 1. It is a great sorrow, to such a degree that he weeps rivers of tears. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye, in conformity to Christ, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. David had prayed for comfort in God's favour (Psa 119:135), now he pleads that he was qualified for that comfort, and had need of it, for he was one of those that mourned in Zion, and those that do so shall be comforted, Isa 61:3. 2. It is godly sorrow. He wept not for his troubles, though they were many, but for the dishonour done to God: Because they keep not thy law, either because my eyes keep not thy law, so some (the eye is the inlet and outlet of a great deal of sin, and therefore it ought to be a weeping eye), or, rather, they, that is, those about me, Psa 119:139. Note, The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for that which we cannot mend.
"My eyes have descended streams of waters, because they have not kept Your law" [Psalm 119:136]: that is, my eyes. For in some copies there is this reading, "Because I have not kept Your law, streams of waters" therefore "descended," that is, floods of tears.. ..
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:136 powerfully depicts the psalmist's overwhelming sorrow and profound anguish, symbolized by "rivers of waters" flowing from his eyes. This intense grief is presented as a direct consequence of witnessing the widespread disregard and active disobedience to God's divine law by others. The verse encapsulates a deep, personal devotion to the Creator's perfect commandments, simultaneously serving as a poignant lament over the spiritual apathy and rebellion he observes, revealing a heart intensely zealous for God's honor and the proper observance of His revealed will.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 119:136 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact. The most prominent is Hyperbole, seen in the phrase "rivers of waters run down mine eyes," which is an intentional exaggeration to emphasize the immense quantity and continuous flow of the psalmist's tears, thereby underscoring the overwhelming intensity of his grief. This hyperbole is also a powerful Metaphor, where tears are not literally rivers but are likened to them, drawing a vivid comparison that evokes a sense of unstoppable, abundant sorrow. Furthermore, the verse is rich in Pathos, as it masterfully appeals to the reader's emotions, eliciting sympathy and understanding for the psalmist's deep anguish. This emotional appeal highlights the profound spiritual sensitivity and zeal that drives the psalmist's lament over the widespread disobedience to God's law, inviting the reader to share in his righteous sorrow.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:136 stands as a powerful testament to a profound spiritual reality: the righteous individual's capacity for deep sorrow over the sin of others. This is not a worldly grief, which often leads to despair, but a godly sorrow (as articulated in 2 Corinthians 7:10), born out of a fervent love for God and His holy standards. The psalmist's tears reflect a heart so intimately aligned with God's own character that it grieves when His name is dishonored and His perfect will is disregarded. This lament echoes the prophetic tradition, where God's messengers often wept over the spiritual blindness and rebellion of their people, demonstrating a compassionate intercession that longs for repentance and restoration. Such sorrow is a sign of spiritual maturity, indicating a zeal for God's glory that transcends personal concerns and embraces a burden for the spiritual well-being of the community, yearning for their return to God's life-giving truth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:136 serves as a profound challenge and a powerful model for contemporary believers. In a world often desensitized to sin, this verse compels us to examine the depth of our own spiritual sensitivity. Do we genuinely grieve over the pervasive moral decay and active rebellion against God's truth, not just in the broader society, but also within the church and even in our own hearts? The psalmist's "rivers of waters" call us to cultivate a similar zeal for God's law, not as a burdensome set of rules, but as a compassionate guide to true life and righteousness. This verse encourages us to move beyond intellectual assent to God's commands and to embrace an emotional, heartfelt passion for His honor. It inspires fervent intercession and prayer for those who disregard God's truth, reflecting a compassionate heart that aligns with God's own desire for all to come to repentance and knowledge of His will. True love for God extends to feeling sorrow when His name is dishonored and His ways are forsaken, prompting us to actively seek His kingdom and righteousness in all spheres of life, becoming agents of His transformative love in a broken world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the psalmist's intense sorrow over disobedience to God's law still relevant for believers today?
Answer: Absolutely. While the specific cultural context may differ, the underlying spiritual reality of human rebellion against God's divine will remains a constant throughout history. The psalmist's grief is not merely a historical artifact but a timeless expression of a heart aligned with God's own sorrow over sin (Genesis 6:6). For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful call to spiritual empathy and righteous indignation. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we feel a similar anguish when God's holy standards are disregarded in our personal lives, our communities, and the broader world? Cultivating such a heart is essential for genuine intercession and for living out a faith that truly honors God's righteousness and seeks the well-being of others.
When the psalmist refers to "thy law," is he speaking only of the Ten Commandments or something broader?
Answer: The Hebrew word translated "law" is Torah (תוֹרָה), which in Psalm 119, and indeed throughout much of the Old Testament, carries a much broader and richer meaning than simply a set of legalistic rules or the Ten Commandments. Torah refers to God's entire divine instruction, guidance, and revelation. It encompasses all His statutes, precepts, testimonies, and commandments—His complete revealed will for humanity. It is God's perfect and life-giving way, designed to lead humanity into wisdom, flourishing, and a right relationship with Him. The psalmist's sorrow is for the disregard of this holistic divine path, which is meant to bring life and blessing, as emphasized in passages like Deuteronomy 30:19-20.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:136 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist wept over the disobedience of others, Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly embodied and fulfilled the very law that humanity failed to keep. He, too, experienced profound sorrow and anguish over the spiritual blindness and rebellion of His people, most poignantly illustrated when He wept over Jerusalem, lamenting their refusal to recognize the time of their visitation and embrace God's path to peace. His zeal for His Father's house, as demonstrated when He cleansed the temple, mirrored the psalmist's passion for God's honor. Ultimately, Jesus did not merely weep over sin; He bore the full weight of it. His suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross, where He became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), represents the most intense and redemptive "rivers of waters" poured out—not of tears, but of blood—to atone for the very disobedience that grieved the psalmist. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering the perfect solution to the problem that caused the psalmist such deep distress and providing the only path to true obedience and reconciliation with God.