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Psalms 119:169

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¶ TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

TAU. Let my cry {H7440} come near {H7126} before {H6440} thee, O LORD {H3068}: give me understanding {H995} according to thy word {H1697}.

(Tav) Let my cry come before you, ADONAI; in keeping with your word, give me understanding.

May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.

Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.

Commentary

Psalms 119:169 is part of the final section of the longest chapter in the Bible, a profound meditation on God's divine law and precepts. This verse, beginning with the Hebrew letter 'TAU' (תָּו), represents a culminating plea from the psalmist, encapsulating the deep desire for spiritual insight that permeates the entire psalm.

Context

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, meticulously structured with each of its 22 sections corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section contains eight verses, all of which generally refer to God's Word by various synonyms (law, statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, judgments). The 'TAU' section, marking the end, often carries a sense of completion or a final summation of the psalmist's journey of faith and obedience. Here, the focus shifts to an earnest, final appeal to God for understanding, reinforcing the theme of divine revelation being the source of all true wisdom.

Key Themes

  • Earnest Supplication: The phrase "Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD" emphasizes the psalmist's fervent and persistent prayer. It's a deep, heartfelt appeal, signifying a profound dependence on God's attentiveness. This reflects a consistent biblical theme of God hearing the prayers of His people.
  • Desire for Understanding: The core request is "give me understanding." This isn't merely intellectual knowledge but a spiritual discernment (Hebrew: binah) that allows one to grasp and apply God's truth to life. It's a plea for insight into divine principles.
  • Reliance on God's Word: Crucially, this understanding is sought "according to thy word." This highlights that true wisdom and discernment are not derived from human intellect alone but are revealed through God's inspired Scripture. The psalmist acknowledges that God's Word is the ultimate standard and source of truth, a concept echoed throughout the Bible.

Linguistic Insights

  • The letter TAU (תָּו) is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and can symbolize completion, truth, or a mark/sign. Its placement here signifies the culmination of the psalmist's journey with God's Word.
  • The word for "cry" (Hebrew: rinnah) can denote a joyful shout or a fervent, earnest plea, indicating the intensity and passion behind the psalmist's prayer.
  • "Understanding" (Hebrew: binah) implies not just knowledge of facts, but the ability to discern, distinguish, and apply truth wisely. It's a practical wisdom for living.

Practical Application

Psalms 119:169 offers a timeless model for believers today. It encourages us to approach God with sincere and persistent prayer, especially when seeking wisdom and clarity in life's complexities. It reminds us that genuine understanding of spiritual truths, our circumstances, and God's will is a divine gift, granted as we earnestly engage with and seek to obey His Word. This verse encourages a lifelong pursuit of knowing God better through His revelation, always acknowledging that wisdom comes from Him when we ask in faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • James 1:5 (10 votes)

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  • Psalms 119:144 (7 votes)

    The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

  • Psalms 119:145 (7 votes)

    ¶ KOPH. I cried with [my] whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

  • Proverbs 2:3 (6 votes)

    Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding;

  • Proverbs 2:5 (6 votes)

    Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

  • Psalms 18:6 (6 votes)

    In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, [even] into his ears.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:10 (4 votes)

    Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, [that is so] great?