Psalms 119:19
Psalms 119:19 in Multiple Translations
I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
I am a sojourner in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.
I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.
I'm only here for a short time—don't let me miss what you have to say.
I am a stranger vpon earth: hide not thy commandements from me.
A sojourner I [am] on earth, Hide not from me Thy commands.
I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
I am living here on the earth for only a short time; ◄do not prevent me from understanding/help me to understand► [LIT] ◄your commands/what you have commanded►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גֵּ֣ר
אָנֹכִ֣י
בָ/אָ֑רֶץ
אַל
תַּסְתֵּ֥ר
מִ֝מֶּ֗/נִּי
מִצְוֺתֶֽי/ךָ
גֵּ֣ר
gêr
H1616
sojourner
N-ms
אָנֹכִ֣י
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Pron
בָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּסְתֵּ֥ר
çâthar
H5641
to hide
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
מִ֝מֶּ֗/נִּי
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
מִצְוֺתֶֽי/ךָ
mitsvâh
H4687
commandment
N-fp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:19
גֵּ֣ר
gêr
H1616
"sojourner"
N-ms
A sojourner is a foreigner or temporary resident, lacking inherited rights, but often given concessions in Israel. This term appears in the Bible to describe outsiders living among God's people.
Definition: 1) sojourner 1a) a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights 1b) of foreigners in Israel, though conceded rights
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: alien, sojourner, stranger. See also: Genesis 15:13; Deuteronomy 10:19; Psalms 39:13.
אָנֹכִ֣י
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
בָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּסְתֵּ֥ר
çâthar
H5641
"to hide"
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
This word means to hide or conceal something, like covering it up. It can also mean to keep something secret or hidden from others, as in Psalm 27:5.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to hide oneself 1a2) to be hidden, be concealed 1b) (Piel) to hide carefully 1c) (Pual) to be hidden carefully, be concealed 1d) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1e) (Hithpael) to hide oneself carefully Aramaic equivalent: se.tar (סְתַר "to hide" H5642A)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:14; Psalms 55:13; Psalms 10:11.
מִ֝מֶּ֗/נִּי
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
מִצְוֺתֶֽי/ךָ
mitsvâh
H4687
"commandment"
N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word means a command or law given by God or humans, as seen in the Bible's rules and guidelines. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy. The commandments guide people's actions.
Definition: 1) commandment 1a) commandment (of man) 1b) the commandment (of God) 1c) commandment (of code of wisdom)
Usage: Occurs in 177 OT verses. KJV: (which was) commanded(-ment), law, ordinance, precept. See also: Genesis 26:5; 1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 19:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:19
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
- Sermons on Psalms 119:19
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
17Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
18Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
19I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
20My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times. 21You rebuke the arrogant— the cursed who stray from Your commandments.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 29:15 | For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. |
| 2 | Psalms 39:12 | Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers. |
| 3 | Psalms 119:10 | With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. |
| 4 | Hebrews 11:13–16 | All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. |
| 5 | Luke 24:45 | Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 5:6 | Therefore we are always confident, although we know that while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord. |
| 7 | Isaiah 63:17 | Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. |
| 8 | 1 Peter 2:11 | Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. |
| 9 | Genesis 47:9 | “My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.” |
| 10 | Luke 9:45 | But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it. |
Psalms 119:19 Summary
This verse means that the psalmist feels like a stranger or visitor on the earth, and he's asking God to help him understand and follow His rules, because he knows that's the key to living a good life, as seen in Psalm 1:1-3, where the blessed man delights in the law of the Lord. The psalmist is saying that even though he doesn't feel at home here, he wants to follow God's commandments and live a life that pleases Him, just like it says in Matthew 6:33, to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. By seeking God's guidance and direction, we can navigate life as strangers on the earth and find our true home in heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a stranger on the earth?
To be a stranger on the earth means to be a temporary resident, not having a permanent home here, as seen in Psalm 39:12 and 1 Peter 2:11, where believers are called to live as strangers and aliens in this world, seeking their true home in heaven.
Why does the psalmist ask God not to hide His commandments?
The psalmist asks God not to hide His commandments because he recognizes his need for guidance and direction as a stranger in a foreign land, and he knows that God's commandments are essential for navigating life, as expressed in Psalm 19:7-11, where the law of the Lord is described as perfect and trustworthy.
Is this verse relevant to believers today?
Yes, this verse is still relevant to believers today, as we are all strangers on the earth, awaiting our true home in heaven, and we need God's commandments to guide us and direct us, just as the psalmist did, as seen in Hebrews 11:13-16, where believers are described as strangers and foreigners on the earth.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse to our daily lives by recognizing our own status as strangers on the earth and seeking God's guidance and direction through His commandments, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to you to be a stranger on the earth, and how does this affect your daily life and decisions?
- In what ways do you seek guidance and direction from God's commandments, and how can you deepen your understanding of His word?
- How do you feel about being a temporary resident on this earth, and what are your hopes and longings for your true home in heaven?
- What are some ways you can apply the principles of this verse to your relationships and interactions with others, and how can you be a light for God in a foreign land?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:19
I [am] a stranger in the earth,.... As all his fathers were, and all the saints are; not to divine and spiritual things; to God, and communion with him; to Christ, and the knowledge of him; to the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:19
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
Stranger, or sojourner. I am not here as in my home, but as a pilgrim travelling homeward in a strange land; which calls for thy pity and help. That law of nature, which thou hast planted in all men’ s minds, teacheth them to show humanity to strangers, and to direct travellers; much more may this be expected from thee. Thy commandments; which are my chief support and guide in my pilgrimage.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
Psalms 119:19 I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.Ver. 19. I am a stranger in the earth] And therefore apt to lose my way, without a guide; I shall surely else be wildered and lost. Hide not thy commandments from me] viz. In the spiritual sense and effectual operation of them. Philosophers observe, that lumen est vehiculum influentiae, light is the convoy of influence; as it begets the flower in the field, the pearl in the earth, &c., so the foundation of all renovation is illumination; hence David so earnestly beggeth it here, and Psalms 119:17.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
(19) I am a stranger.—A comparison of Psa 119:54 with Genesis 47:9 (comp. Psalms 39:12) shows that the general transitory condition of life, and not any particular circumstance of the psalmist’s history is in view. Human intelligence does not suffice to fathom the will of God. The mortal is a stranger on the earth; both time and strength are wanting to attain to knowledge which only Divine wisdom can teach.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
Verse 19. I am a stranger in the earth] In the land. Being obliged to wander about from place to place, I am like a stranger even in my own country. If it refer to the captives in Babylon, it may mean that they felt themselves there as in a state of exile; for, although they had been seventy years in it, they still felt it as a strange land, because they considered Palestine their home.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:19
19. a stranger] A sojourner (ger), or alien residing under protection in a country not his own, needs to be instructed in the law of the land that he may not offend against it. Such a ‘sojourner’ is the Psalmist upon earth, and therefore he prays God, the Lord of the earth, to impart to him a full knowledge of his obligations. The further thought may be implied that as his residence is only temporary, he would fain make the best use of life which may be short. Cp. Psalms 39:12, note.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:19
I am a stranger in the earth - A wayfaring man; a pilgrim; a so-journer; a man whose permanent home is not in this world.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:19
â, Gimel.17-24. Here is found a phase of experience under persecution. After a prayer for fulness of strength, comes this special petition.
Sermons on Psalms 119:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Peter 1:17 by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the call to holiness in 1 Peter 1:17, urging believers to honor God as their Father and to live in a manner that reflects their relationship with Him. He highl |
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Strangers and Pilgrims by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee explores the concept of being 'strangers and pilgrims' on earth, emphasizing that true believers are not fully invested in worldly affairs but are instead sojourners w |
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Bishop Wilson's Meditations on His Sacred Office, No. 2.-- Monday by J.H. Newman | J.H. Newman preaches about the importance of being persuaded and determined by God's grace to teach and maintain doctrines necessary for eternal salvation as revealed in the Holy S |
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Joyous Spirituality of Christian Pilgrimage by Hugh Martin | Hugh Martin preaches about the joyous spirituality of Christian pilgrimage, emphasizing the genuine admiration of the cross of Christ that alienates believers from the world, leadi |
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Integrity of Heart by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of David and how he tried to cover up his sins until God exposed him. The preacher then shares a story about a little girl who had |
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Rev. 12:6. Strangership and Pilgrimage by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes the Christian's identity as a stranger and pilgrim in this world, drawing parallels between the journey of the Church and the experiences of biblical figu |
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Our Days on the Earth Are as a Shadow, And by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer reflects on the transient nature of human life, comparing it to shadows and fleeting moments, yet emphasizes that even brief lives can leave a lasting impact. He draws o |