Psalms 119:100 — Word Study
WLCמִזְּקֵנִ֥ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
BSAI discernbîyn▸ [understand, have insight] more than the elderszâqên [ancient, elderly] forkîy [because, since] I obeynâtsar■ [keep, follow] Your preceptspiqqûwd [commands, divine instructions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים | more than old [people] | Preposition |
| אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן | I gain understanding | Verb, Hithpael, imperfect first person common singular |
| כִּ֖י | for | Particle |
| פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ | precepts your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ | I have observed | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts. |
| KJV | I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. |
| ASV | I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts. |
| YLT | Above elders I understand more, For Thy precepts I have kept. |
| WEB | I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts. |
| BBE | I have more wisdom than the old, because I have kept your orders. |
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, emphasizing the relationship between obedience and understanding.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a reason for the assertion, clearly linking obedience to understanding.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבִּין
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:100
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Meditation on God's Preceptsgenerated
Psalm 119:100 expresses the psalmist's understanding and insight, which he attributes to his obedience to God's precepts. This verse is part of a larger reflection on wisdom, where the psalmist compares his discernment to that of the elders, emphasizing the value of divine instruction over mere age or experience. The surrounding verses highlight a consistent theme of valuing God's teachings as a source of true wisdom.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 12:6–15 | Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked. |
| 2 | Job 12:12 | Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. |
| 3 | Job 15:9–10 | What do you know that we do not? What do you understand that is not clear to us? |
| 4 | Job 32:4–10 | Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he. |
| 5 | Psalm 111:10 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever! |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן, 'et.bo.Nangenerated
The verb בִּין (biyn) means to understand or discern, indicating a mental separation and comprehension of knowledge. It is used here in the Hithpael form, which implies a reflexive or intensive action, suggesting that the psalmist is actively engaging in understanding.
This understanding is contrasted with the wisdom of the elders, implying that true insight comes from obedience to God's commands rather than solely from age or experience. The psalmist positions himself as someone who gains insight through a relationship with divine instruction.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered consistently across translations, emphasizing the psalmist's insight compared to the elders due to his obedience to God's precepts.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verbs in this verse are אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן (I discern) and נָצָֽרְתִּי (I have observed), which govern the structure of the sentence. The prepositional phrase 'more than the elders' modifies the verb 'I discern', while the clause 'for I obey Your precepts' provides the reason for this discernment.
The structure emphasizes the relationship between understanding and obedience, with the psalmist asserting that his insight surpasses that of the elders because of his commitment to following God's commands.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זָקֵן as πρεσβυτέρους (presbyters), which carries a similar connotation of age and authority. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the elders as figures of respect and wisdom.
The Greek rendering of בִּין as συνῆκα (to understand) aligns with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing the act of discernment and comprehension in the context of divine instruction.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:100 shows that the psalmist believes he understands more than the elders because he follows God's commands. This reflects the idea that true wisdom comes from obeying divine teachings rather than merely from age or experience.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that the psalmist believes his understanding and insight surpass those of older individuals due to his commitment to following God's instructions.
Obedience to God's commands is seen as a pathway to gaining deeper insight and discernment, as the psalmist indicates.
The elders represent traditional wisdom and authority, but the psalmist argues that true understanding comes from a relationship with God's teachings.
God's precepts refer to His commandments and divine instructions, which guide the believer's actions and understanding.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I seek greater understanding through obedience to God's teachings?
- How can I cultivate a deeper relationship with God's precepts to enhance my discernment?
- What role do elders and teachers play in my understanding of God's word?
- How can I share the insights I've gained from following God's commands with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, reflecting on the wisdom of the psalmist in relation to the elders.
But these teachers may be understood very reasonably to be those aged men, of whom he presently says, "I am wiser than mine elders" [Psalms 119:100].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:100 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI understand more than the ancients,.... Than those that had lived in ages before him; having clearer light given him, and larger discoveries made unto him, concerning the Messiah, his person and
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Obedience is the key to the true knowledge of God and the highest things (John 7:17).
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 100. By which reason he intimates that the practice of religion is the best way to understand it, and that men’ s vicious hearts and lives are the greatest hinderances of all true and solid knowledge of it.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.Ver. 100. I understand more than the ancients] Whom yet age, use, and experience have taught much; but by the practical study of the word I outgo them all; with reference to those hoary heads, the seniors of the Synedrion, be it spoken, Non prolixa facit sapientem barba.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(100) Ancients.—Or, more probably, as the LXX. and Vulg., and the old versions generally took it, old men.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 100. I understand more than the ancients] God had revealed to him more of that hidden wisdom which was in his law than he had done to any of his predecessors. And this was most literally true of David, who spoke more fully about Christ than any who had gone before him; or, indeed, followed after him. His compositions are, I had almost said, a sublime Gospel.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges100. I have more discernment than the aged] It is not official ‘elders’ who are meant, but those whose long life has given them opportunity to learn by experience.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI understand more than the ancients - Hebrew, The old men. It does not refer, as the word “ancients” does with us, to the people of former times, but to aged men. They have treasured up wisdom.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
I am more discerning than those older than I, for I observe your precepts.
Tyndale line
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept thy precepts.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I vnderstoode more then the ancient, because I kept thy precepts.
Strictly literal
I understand more than the aged, because I have observed thy precepts.
Above elders I understand more, For Thy precepts I have kept.
Above elderly—I understand more, || For I have kept Your precepts.
More than the elders do I possess understanding; because thy precepts do I keep.
I understand more than those older than I am; this is because I have kept your instructions.
Simplified
I even understand more than the elders because I follow your directions.
I have more wisdom than the old, because I have kept your orders.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain a partially restored text, but the essential meaning remains consistent with the Masoretic Text.
מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[מזקנים] [אתבונן] [כי] [פקודי׳ך] נצרתי
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 4 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:100
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זָקֵן (zaqen) means 'old' and is used to refer to human beings, often as a noun for 'old man' or 'elder.' It encompasses meanings related to age and authority, indicating both age and leadership roles. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to be old,' and it is consistently associated with the concept of elders in various contexts.
זָקֵן adj. old
old, of human beings
usu. as subst.
old man (or woman)
elder
base
H2205 זָקֵן old . old, of human beings
. usu. as subst. . old man (or woman)
. elder
2205 zaqen zaw-kane'
from 2204; old:--aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man,
men and...women), senator.
see HEBREW for 02204
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old: elder.
: elder/leader
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
זָקֵן (za.qen) — old.
: old
1) old
1a) old (of humans)
1b) elder (of those having authority)
Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Prep | Adj — PrepositionHR/Aampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-r-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Hithpael · imperfect first person common singularHVti1cs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
פִּקּוּד (piqqud) refers to a precept or mandate, specifically one that is appointed by God. It is derived from a root meaning to appoint and is used in a plural form to collectively denote commandments or statutes within the Law.
[פִּקּוּד] 24 n.m. precept
base
H6490 [פִּקּוּד] precept
6490 piqquwd pik-kood'
or piqqud {pik-kood'}; from 6485; properly, appointed, i.e. a
mandate (of God; plural only, collectively, for the
Law):--commandment, precept, statute.
see HEBREW for 06485
פִּקּוּד (piq.qud) — precept.
precept, statute
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
נָצַר (natsar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to watch, guard, or keep. It encompasses a range of actions including protecting, preserving, and observing, as well as concealing or keeping secret. The entries suggest both positive and negative connotations, such as guarding from danger or hiding something. The term can also refer to a watchman.
[נָצַר] vb. watch, guard, keep;—Qal
Watch, guard, keep
Guard from dangers, preserve
Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Guard, keep secret
Keep close, blockaded
base
H5341 נָצַר watch, guard, keep . Watch, guard, keep
. Guard from dangers, preserve
. Guard with fidelity, keep, observe
. Guard, keep secret
. Keep close, blockaded
5341 natsar naw-tsar'
a primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect,
maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.):--
besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe,
preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man).
נָצַר (na.tsar) — to watch.
1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to watch, guard, keep
1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers
1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
1a4) to guard, keep secret
1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded
1a6) watchman (participle)
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs