Psalms 119:12

¶ Blessed [art] thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Blessed {H1288} art thou, O LORD {H3068}: teach {H3925} me thy statutes {H2706}.

Blessed are you, ADONAI! Teach me your laws.

Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

Blessed art thou, O Jehovah: Teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:12 (KJV) presents a concise yet profound prayer from the psalmist, encapsulating both adoration for God and a deep yearning for divine instruction. This verse, part of the extensive meditation on God's law in Psalm 119, sets a tone of humble dependence and earnest seeking.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem (though not explicitly evident in individual verses) dedicated entirely to the excellence and importance of God's Word, or Torah. The psalmist uses various synonyms for God's law—such as statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and testimonies—to express his deep love and unwavering commitment to it. Verse 12 falls within the Beth section (verses 9-16), where the theme of purifying one's way through God's Word is prominent. It expresses a foundational principle: acknowledging God's blessedness precedes and motivates the desire to learn His ways.

Key Themes

  • Adoration and Blessing of God: The opening phrase, "Blessed [art] thou, O LORD," is an act of worship, acknowledging God's inherent goodness, sovereignty, and worthiness of all praise. It's an expression of profound reverence before the One who gives the law.
  • Humble Desire for Divine Instruction: The plea, "teach me thy statutes," reveals a recognition of human limitation and a sincere longing for God's guidance. It signifies a humble heart ready to be taught and to obey His revealed will.
  • God's Statutes as Essential Guidance: The verse implies that God's laws are not burdensome rules but vital instructions necessary for living a righteous and blessed life. They are the path to wisdom and understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The word "Blessed" (Hebrew: baruch, בָּרוּךְ) when applied to God, means to praise or glorify Him, acknowledging His supreme blessedness. It's an act of worship rather than God receiving a blessing from humans. "LORD" refers to Yahweh (יהוה), God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His relational aspect with His people. The term "statutes" (Hebrew: ḥuqqîm, חֻקִּים) refers to God's prescribed ordinances or decrees, which are often thought of as fixed, unchangeable laws, like engraved inscriptions. It's one of the many synonyms for God's divine law used throughout Psalm 119, each highlighting a different facet of its nature.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:12 provides a powerful model for prayer and spiritual living. Firstly, it teaches us to begin our petitions with worship and adoration, recognizing God's greatness before presenting our needs. This posture of blessing God, acknowledging His inherent worthiness of praise, aligns our hearts with His sovereignty. Secondly, it underscores the importance of actively seeking God's Word for guidance. In a world full of conflicting advice, the psalmist's prayer reminds us that true wisdom and a righteous path come from God's unchanging "statutes." It encourages a continuous and humble sincere longing to understand and live by His revealed will, making God's Word the primary source of our spiritual and moral instruction.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:64

    ¶ The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

  • Luke 24:45

    Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

  • 1 John 2:27

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • Psalms 86:11

    Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

  • Psalms 25:4

    Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.

  • Psalms 25:5

    Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou [art] the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

  • Psalms 119:108

    ¶ Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

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