Psalms 119:136

KJV

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

KJV (with Strong's)

Rivers {H6388} of waters {H4325} run down {H3381} mine eyes {H5869}, because they keep {H8104} not thy law {H8451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes, because they don't observe your Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.

American Standard Version

Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law. צ TSADHE.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:136 powerfully depicts the psalmist's overwhelming sorrow and profound anguish, symbolized by "rivers of waters" flowing from his eyes, a direct consequence of witnessing the widespread disregard and active disobedience to God's divine law. This verse encapsulates a deep, personal devotion to the Creator's perfect commandments, simultaneously serving as a poignant lament over the spiritual apathy and rebellion of others, revealing a heart intensely zealous for God's honor and the proper observance of His revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the biblical canon, an intricate acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with each of its 22 octaves beginning with a successive letter. The entire psalm is a magnificent and exhaustive meditation on the glory, perfection, and life-giving power of God's Word, referred to by various synonyms such as law, statutes, precepts, commandments, decrees, and testimonies. Throughout this extensive composition, the psalmist consistently articulates profound love, unwavering delight, and absolute reliance on God's divine instruction. Verse 136, situated within the "Tsade" section (verses 137-144), presents a stark and poignant contrast to the psalm's frequent declarations of joy and commitment to obedience, serving as a powerful expression of deep sorrow and righteous indignation over the widespread spiritual apathy and active rebellion against God's sacred truths by others.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 119 does not specify a particular historical event or era, it reflects a general spiritual climate where the covenant people of Israel, or at least a significant portion of them, were failing to uphold God's divine standards. In ancient Israel, the "law" (Torah) was not merely a legal code but the very foundation of their national identity and their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, established at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law"). Disobedience to this law was therefore not just a moral transgression but a profound act of covenant infidelity, carrying severe consequences for the individual and the community (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Culturally, abundant weeping was a universally recognized and accepted expression of deep grief, sorrow, or lament, often seen in public and private mourning rituals throughout the ancient Near East. The psalmist, as a devout individual, would have felt the profound weight of this societal spiritual decline, perceiving it as a direct affront to God's holiness and a betrayal of His gracious covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Profound Sorrow for Sin**, not merely personal transgression but a deep anguish over the widespread moral decay and active rebellion against God's holy standards by others. The "rivers of waters" vividly portray an overwhelming grief that exemplifies a godly sorrow, which, as the Apostle Paul explains in [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance"), leads to repentance and salvation. Secondly, it underscores an intense **Zeal for God's Law**. The psalmist's abundant tears are a testament to his passionate, emotional commitment to God's commandments and his fervent desire to see them honored and upheld. This is not mere intellectual assent but a heartfelt passion for divine truth and righteousness. Finally, the verse conveys a strong sense of **Righteous Indignation**. Beneath the sorrow lies a holy anger that God's perfect, life-giving, and compassionate standards are being ignored, defied, and trampled upon by those around him, echoing the lament of prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament Over His People") and even the sorrow of Jesus as He [wept over Jerusalem](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem") for its spiritual blindness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rivers of waters (Hebrew, _palgê-māyim_):** This powerful Hebrew phrase, literally "streams of waters," emphasizes the sheer **abundance** and continuous, uncontrollable **flow** of the psalmist's tears. It is a hyperbolic expression painting a vivid picture of overwhelming, unceasing grief, signifying a sorrow so profound that it cannot be contained or stemmed.
* **Keep not (Hebrew, _loʾ šāmərû_):** The verb _šāmar_ means "to keep, guard, observe, preserve." The negation _loʾ_ indicates a failure to do so, implying not just passive neglect but an active disregard, a deliberate turning away from, or a failure to uphold God's divine instructions. It speaks to a conscious choice to disobey or ignore.
* **Thy law (Hebrew, _tôrāh_):** In Psalm 119, _Torah_ is a comprehensive term for God's divine instruction, guidance, and revelation. It encompasses His entire revealed will for humanity, including His statutes, precepts, testimonies, and commandments. It is not merely a set of legalistic rules but a holistic path to life, wisdom, and flourishing, reflecting God's character and His desire for humanity's well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes":** This clause vividly portrays the psalmist's profound and uncontrollable emotional distress. The imagery of "rivers" underscores the immense quantity and continuous flow of tears, indicating a sorrow so deep and overwhelming that it manifests physically in an unceasing stream of weeping. It is a personal lament, revealing the psalmist's tender heart and deep empathy.
* **"because they keep not thy law":** This second clause provides the explicit and singular reason for the psalmist's intense grief. The sorrow is not for personal suffering or loss, but for the spiritual condition of others—"they"—who actively disregard, neglect, or refuse to obey God's divine instruction (_Torah_). This highlights the psalmist's unwavering devotion to God's will and his anguish over the widespread spiritual apathy and rebellion he observes in his community.

#### 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 **Metaphor**, where tears are not literally rivers but are likened to them, drawing a powerful 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.

### 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](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")), 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.

* [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow Leading to Repentance")
* [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament for His People")
* [Romans 9:1-3](/romans/9-1 "Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Anguish for Israel")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How deeply do I grieve over sin, both my own and that in the world around me?**
* **Does my heart truly ache when God's law is disregarded or His name dishonored?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater zeal for God's Word and a more compassionate heart for those who do not obey it?**

### 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 (cf. [Genesis 6:6](/genesis/6-6 "Genesis 6:6 - God's Grief Over Human Wickedness")). 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](/romans/1-17 "Romans 1:17 - The Rightness of God Revealed").

**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](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - 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 (cf. [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")).

### 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](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the 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](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps 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](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses 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 (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), 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](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering the perfect solution to the problem that caused the psalmist such deep distress.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 9:1

¶ Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Ezekiel 9:4

And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

1 Samuel 15:11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Jeremiah 9:18

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

Psalms 119:158

¶ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

Jeremiah 14:17

¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Psalms 119:53

¶ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.