Psalms 119:136

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

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

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

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

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

Psalms 119:136 (KJV) presents a powerful image of the psalmist's profound sorrow and grief over the widespread disobedience to God's divine law. It captures an intense devotion to God's commandments and a lament over the sinfulness and spiritual apathy of others.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem entirely devoted to extolling the glory and excellence of God's Word, law, statutes, precepts, and commandments. Throughout this extensive psalm, the author (traditionally attributed to King David) expresses deep love, delight, and unwavering reliance on God's perfect law. Verse 136 stands out as a poignant expression of pain, contrasting with the frequent joyful declarations of obedience found elsewhere in the psalm. It reflects a righteous indignation and profound sorrow at the spiritual condition of those who disregard God's sacred truths, underscoring the psalmist's intense zeal for God's honor and the proper observance of His ways.

Key Themes

  • Profound Sorrow for Sin: The metaphor of "rivers of waters" running down the eyes vividly portrays an overwhelming grief. This sorrow is not for personal suffering, but for the moral decay and active rebellion against God's holy standards. It exemplifies a godly sorrow, which, as discussed in 2 Corinthians 7:10, leads to repentance and salvation.
  • Zeal for God's Law: The psalmist's abundant tears are a testament to his deep, emotional commitment to God's commandments and his fervent desire to see them upheld. This isn't merely intellectual assent but a heartfelt passion for divine truth and righteousness.
  • Righteous Indignation: Beneath the sorrow lies an element of righteous indignation that God's perfect and life-giving standards are being ignored, defied, and trampled upon by those around him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "rivers of waters" (palgei mayim) emphasizes the sheer abundance and continuous flow of tears. It paints a vivid picture of uncontrollable weeping, signifying a grief so intense it cannot be contained. The word for "law" (Hebrew: Torah) in Psalms 119 consistently refers to God's divine instruction, guidance, and revelation—encompassing His entire revealed will for humanity, not merely a set of legalistic rules. The psalmist's sorrow is for the disregard of God's holistic path for life and flourishing.

Practical Application

This powerful verse challenges contemporary believers to examine their own hearts: Do we genuinely grieve over sin, both our own and that prevalent in the world? It calls us to cultivate a similar zeal for God's law, not viewing it as a burdensome set of rules, but as a compassionate guide to life and righteousness. The psalmist's example encourages us to engage in 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. This verse reminds us that true love for God extends to feeling sorrow when His name is dishonored and His ways are forsaken. It echoes the lament of Jeremiah, often called 'the weeping prophet,' and even the sorrow of Jesus as He wept over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness.

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.

  • 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.

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