Psalms 119:19

ยถ I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

I am a stranger {H1616} in the earth {H776}: hide {H5641} not thy commandments {H4687} from me.

Though I'm just a wanderer on the earth, don't hide your mitzvot from me.

I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.

I am a sojourner in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.

Commentary

Psalm 119:19 (KJV) presents a poignant prayer from the psalmist, expressing a deep sense of transience in the world and an urgent need for God's divine guidance. It encapsulates the heart of a believer who recognizes their true citizenship lies elsewhere.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, which is entirely devoted to extolling the virtues, wisdom, and necessity of God's law, statutes, precepts, and commandments. Within this larger framework, the psalmist continually expresses devotion to God's Word and seeks His help in living according to it, often acknowledging personal weakness and dependence. Each stanza (eight verses) in this acrostic psalm begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Key Themes

  • The Believer as a Sojourner: The phrase "I am a stranger in the earth" (Hebrew: ger, ื’ึผึตืจ) signifies a temporary resident or an alien. It reflects the biblical concept that believers are not ultimately at home in this world but are pilgrims on a journey towards an eternal dwelling. This theme resonates with the New Testament teaching that Christians are sojourners and pilgrims, whose true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
  • Desperate Need for Divine Guidance: The plea "hide not thy commandments from me" reveals a profound dependence on God's revealed will. As a stranger in an unfamiliar land (the world), the psalmist recognizes that without God's explicit instructions, they would be lost, unable to navigate life's complexities or discern truth from error. It is a prayer for clarity, understanding, and the continuous revelation of God's Word.
  • God's Active Revelation: The request implies that God has the power to reveal or conceal His truth. The psalmist trusts that God desires to make His ways known and is appealing to that divine benevolence.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "stranger," ger (ื’ึผึตืจ), denotes an individual who resides in a foreign land without full citizenship rights. It emphasizes a sense of non-belonging and reliance on the hospitality or laws of the host land. Spiritually, it highlights the Christian's temporary status on Earth.
  • "Commandments" (Hebrew: mitzvot, ืžึดืฆึฐื•ึนืช) is one of many terms used in Psalm 119 to refer to God's law. Each term often carries a slightly different nuance (e.g., statutes, precepts, judgments, testimonies), collectively emphasizing the multifaceted nature and comprehensive authority of God's Word as a guide for life.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:19 offers a timeless prayer for believers today. In a world that often feels alien and confusing, we too are spiritual strangers, not fully belonging to its systems or values. This verse encourages us to:

  • Embrace our pilgrim identity: Recognize that our ultimate home is with God, which shapes our priorities and detachments from earthly pursuits.
  • Prioritize God's Word: Cultivate a daily hunger for God's commandments, recognizing them as our indispensable map and compass for navigating life's moral and spiritual terrain.
  • Pray for understanding: Continually ask God to open our eyes and hearts to His truth, ensuring His Word is not "hidden" from us but illuminates our path (Psalm 119:105).

It is a reminder that true security and direction come not from earthly stability, but from unwavering reliance on the unchanging and revealed Word of God.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 29:15

    For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.

  • Psalms 39:12

    Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I [am] a stranger with thee, [and] a sojourner, as all my fathers [were].

  • Psalms 119:10

    ยถ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

  • Hebrews 11:13

    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  • Hebrews 11:16

    But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

  • Luke 24:45

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

  • 1 Peter 2:11

    Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;