Let my pleading come before You; save me according to Your word. Psalm 119:170 NASB Pleading – Three words need to be understood in Hebrew context. These three words are part of the overall pattern of this long psalm. They are also crucial terms describing the relationship between the follower and the founder of the faith. They…
I rejoice at Your word, like one who finds great plunder. Psalm 119:162 NASB Plunder – The poet expresses a feeling we might find embarrassing. We don’t usually relish in taking booty from invasions. So, we’ll have to reach way back in that collective unconscious to resurrect the exuberance that comes from the destruction of an enemy and…
My eyes preceded the watches to speak of Your word. Psalm 119:148 Chabad Watches – Unless you knew something about palaces in ancient times, this verse would probably be unintelligible. And even if you knew about night watches in the 10th Century B.C.E., the verse still might not make any sense. The only way to…
Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it. Psalm 119:140 NASB Pure – Think of the ways we use the word “pure.” “Pure as the driven snow.” “Pure white.” “Guaranteed pure.” “Pure breed.” Then there’s the jeweler’s view. When is something “pure gold”? 24 karat and 999.9 fineness are considered pure gold, but in fact…
My eyes fail with longing for Your word, while I say, “When will You comfort me?” Psalm 119:82 NASB Fail – Do you long for God’s Word? Well then, just pick up the Bible and read. Right? That’s what we might assume is the intent of the poet’s cry. After all, it his eyes that fail. Perhaps he’s just…
This is my comfort in my misery, that Your word has [s]revived me. Psalm 119:50 NASB Comfort/misery – The NASB translation renders the Hebrew ʿŏnî as misery. This derivative comes from the root (ʿānâ) III, afflict, oppress, humble.[1] “The primary meaning of ʿānâ III is ‘to force,’ or ‘to try to force submission,’ and ‘to punish or…
Establish Your [m]word to Your servant as that which produces reverence for You. Psalm 119:38 NASB [m]word – Notice the footnote attached to this translation. That note is to tell you that the usual Hebrew isn’t what we have in this verse. Instead of dābār we find ʾimrâ, both translated “word” in English so you wouldn’t…
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