Psalms 119:169 — Word Study
WLCתִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃
BSAMay my cryrinnâh [loud, ringing] comeqârab▸ [come near, approach] before Youpânîym O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah] give me understandingbîyn [discernment, spiritual understanding] according to Your worddâbâr [promise, thing]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תִּקְרַ֤ב | may it draw near | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| רִנָּתִ֣י | cry of entreaty my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| לְפָנֶ֣יךָ | before you | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יְהוָ֑ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ | according to word your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃ | give understanding me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word. |
| KJV | Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. |
| ASV | Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word. |
| YLT | [Taw.] My loud cry cometh near before Thee, O Jehovah; According to Thy word cause me to understand. |
| WEB | Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word. |
| BBE | Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me wisdom in keeping with your word. |
The translations are consistent in their rendering of the psalmist's plea for understanding.
The verse consists of a main clause expressing a plea and a subordinate clause detailing the request for understanding.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbקָרַב
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 119:169
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 — A Prayer for Understandinggenerated
Psalm 119:169 expresses the psalmist's earnest desire for understanding from the LORD. He acknowledges his need for discernment and appeals to God's word as the basis for that understanding. This verse is part of a larger meditation on the importance of God's statutes and the psalmist's commitment to following them, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:145 | I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will obey Your statutes. |
| 2 | Psalm 18:6 | In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 30:27 | Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven. |
| 4 | Psalm 119:144 | Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 22:12 | Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הֲבִינֵֽנִי, ha.vi.Ne.nigenerated
The verb בִּין (biyn) means to understand or discern. It conveys the idea of mentally separating and comprehending something, which aligns with the psalmist's request for insight into God's word.
The imperative form here indicates a direct request to God, emphasizing the urgency and personal nature of the plea. The psalmist seeks not just knowledge but spiritual understanding that comes from a relationship with the divine.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the essence of the psalmist's plea for understanding.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is תִּקְרַ֤ב (tikrav), meaning 'may it draw near', which governs the entire verse. The structure consists of a cry followed by a request for understanding, showing a clear progression from expression to supplication.
The syntax places the psalmist's cry at the forefront, followed by the direct appeal to God, which emphasizes the personal nature of the prayer.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תִּקְרַ֤ב as ἐγγισάτω, which means 'may it draw near'. This choice reflects a similar intention to approach God, maintaining the original sense of drawing near in prayer.
The translation of הֲבִינֵֽנִי as με also shows a direct request for understanding, aligning closely with the Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:169 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist to the LORD, asking for understanding based on God's word. The psalmist expresses his need for discernment and approaches God with a loud cry, reflecting a deep desire for insight.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The 'cry' refers to a loud and earnest appeal to God, expressing a deep need for help and understanding.
The psalmist seeks understanding through God's word, indicating that divine insight comes from engaging with Scripture.
Approaching God with a cry signifies urgency and sincerity, showing that the psalmist is earnest in his request for understanding.
God's word serves as the foundation for understanding, guiding the psalmist in his pursuit of discernment and insight.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to seek understanding from God?
- How can I better engage with God's word to gain discernment?
- What does it mean to approach God with a loud cry in my prayers?
- How can I apply the insights I gain from God's word in my daily life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo references this verse in his exposition, highlighting the communal aspect of prayer and the recognition of shared faith among believers.
Let us now hear the words of one praying: since we know who is praying, and we recognise ourselves, if we be not reprobate, among the members of this one praying.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:169 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Biblet, TAU.--The Twenty-second and last Part. Ver. 169. TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord,.... Not "my praise", as the Syriac version; but "my prayer", put up in great distress, and with
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTAU Ver. 169. Near before thee; which at present thou seemest to shut out, as the church complained, . Understanding; whereby I may both know and perform my duty in all particulars.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.Ver. 169. Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord] That is, as some will have it, let this whole preceding psalm, and all the petitions (whereof we have here a repetition) therein contained, be highly accepted in heaven.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleLETTER ת TAU. - Twenty-second Division Verse 169. Let my cry come near before thee] This is really a fine image; it is of frequent occurrence, and is little heeded. Here the psalmists cry for deliverance is personified; made an intelligent being, and sent up to the throne of grace to negotiate in his behalf. He pursues this prosopopoeia in the next verse, and sends his supplication in the same way. I have already had occasion to refer to a similar figure in Homer, where prayers are represented as the daughters of Jupiter. See on Psalms 88:2.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges169–176. Tâv. Concluding petitions for understanding and deliverance, for the grace of thankfulness, for help and guidance.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet my cry come near before thee, O Lord - This commences a new division of the psalm, indicated by the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the letter Tau (ט ṭ), corresponding to our “t,” or “th.”
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleú, Tav.169-176. Let thine hand help me—Finally, the two great wants of man, strength of soul to live righteously and deliverance from outward evils, are rehearsed. The writer is persecuted for his faith.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.
May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
Listen to my cry for help, O Lord! Give me insight by your word!
Tyndale line
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah: Give me understanding according to thy word.
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
TAV. Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord, and giue me vnderstanding, according vnto thy worde.
Strictly literal
TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, Jehovah: give me understanding according to thy word.
[Taw.] My loud cry cometh near before Thee, O Jehovah; According to Thy word cause me to understand.
[TAW] My loud cry comes near before You, O YHWH; Cause me to understand according to Your word.
TAV. Let my entreaty come near before thee, O Lord: according to thy word grant me understanding.
Listen to my cry for help, Yahweh; give me understanding into your word.
Simplified
Lord, please listen to my sad cry; help me to understand, as you promised.
Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me wisdom in keeping with your word.
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 closely in wording, with no significant variations noted. The Septuagint matches all six words of the Hebrew text, indicating a consistent transmission of this verse.
תִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃
6 of the 6 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.
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 119:169
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.
קָרַב (qarab) is a Hebrew verb meaning to approach or come near, with various nuances including bringing or presenting something. It encompasses different forms such as Qal (to approach), Niphal (to be brought near), and Hiphil (to bring near). The term is often associated with offerings or dedications to God, particularly in the context of the book of Ezekiel.
[קָרֵב], קָרַב 279 vb. come near, approach
Qal 93 approach
Niph. he shall be brought unto God
Pi. cause to approach, bring near
Hiph.
177
bring near, bring, present
of time
as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳
base
H7126 קָרֵב, קָרַב come near, approach .approach
. he shall be brought unto God
. cause to approach, bring near
. . . bring near, bring, present
. of time
. as term techn. (c. 158 t.), chiefly Ez HP, bring near, of presenting, dedicating, or offering to י׳
7126 qarab kaw-rab'
a primitive root; to approach (causatively, bring near) for
whatever purpose:--(cause to) approach, (cause to) bring
(forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw
near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer,
present, produce, make ready, stand, take.
קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: come.
: come/approach
1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near
1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near
1b) (Niphal) to be brought near
1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near
1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present
קָרַב (qa.rav) — to present: bring.
: bring/offer
1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near
1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near
1b) (Niphal) to be brought near
1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near
1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
רִנָּה (rinnah) refers to a ringing cry, often associated with joy, grief, or proclamation. It is derived from the root meaning to creak or make a shrill sound. The term encompasses various expressions of emotion, including gladness and triumph, and can denote both joyful singing and cries of supplication.
רִנָּה n.f. ringing cry
base
H7440 רִנָּה ringing cry
7440 rinnah rin-naw'
from 7442; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout
(of joy or grief):--cry, gladness, joy, proclamation,
rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph.
see HEBREW for 07442
רִנָּה (rin.nah) — cry.
1) ringing cry
1a) of entreaty, supplication
1b) in proclamation, joy, praise
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
The Hebrew word פָּנֶה (*pāneh*) is a noun meaning 'face' or 'presence,' and it appears in various contexts, including the faces of seraphim and animals, as well as the surface of the ground. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'before' or 'in front of.' The word is built from a root that suggests turning or facing, and it encompasses a wide range of applications, both literal and figurative.
[פָּנֶה], pl. פָּנִים 2123 n.m. face, also faces
face, faces
presence, person
technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
face of seraphim
face of animals
face (= surface) of ground
as adv.loc. before
for other phrases
with prepositions
base
H6440 פָּנֶה, pl. פָּנִים face, also faces . . face, faces
. . presence, person
. technically, see one's face, i.e. appear before one, in one's presence
. face of seraphim
. face of animals
. face (= surface) of ground
. as adv. loc. before
. for other phrases
. with prepositions
6440 paniym paw-neem'
plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh
{paw-neh'}; from 6437); the face (as the part that turns);
used in a great variety of applications (literally and
figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a
preposition (before, etc.):--+ accept, a-(be- )fore(-time),
against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of),
+ beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire,
face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er
time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), +
honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, +
meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on,
open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please,
presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right
forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street,
X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s)
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face: before.
: before/to/front
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
פָּנֶה (pa.neh) — face.
: face
1) face
1a) face, faces
1b) presence, person
1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
1d) face (of animals)
1e) face, surface (of ground)
1f) as adv of loc/temp
1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
1g) with prep
1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from…
Prep | N-cp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
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-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs