Psalms 119:18 — Word Study
WLCגַּל־ עֵינַ֥י וְאַבִּ֑יטָה נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
BSAOpengâlâh [uncover, reveal] my eyesʻayin [the source of understanding, spiritual perception] that I may seenâbaṭ [behold, gaze upon] wondrous thingspâlâʼ [miraculous, awe-inspiring works] from Your lawtôwrâh [out of, based on, instruction, divine guidance, Torah]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| גַּל־ | uncover | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine singular |
| עֵינַ֥י | eyes my | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וְאַבִּ֑יטָה | so let me pay attention to | Conjunction, verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singular |
| נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת | wonderful [things] | Verb, Niphal, participle (active) feminine plural |
| מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | from law your | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law. |
| KJV | Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. |
| ASV | Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law. |
| YLT | Uncover mine eyes, and I behold wonders out of Thy law. |
| WEB | Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. |
| BBE | Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law. |
All translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse.
The sentence has one main verb with two phrases that clarify the purpose and source of the request.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbגָּלָה
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 119:18
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 Lawgenerated
Psalms 119:18 expresses a heartfelt plea for God to open the psalmist's eyes, enabling him to perceive the marvelous truths within God's law. This verse emphasizes the value of divine insight and understanding, which is essential for living in accordance with God's will. The surrounding verses highlight the psalmist's commitment to God's commandments and his longing for deeper understanding, as seen in verses 17 and 19.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 29:10–12 | For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. |
| 2 | Isaiah 32:3 | Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. |
| 3 | Isaiah 35:5 | Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. |
| 4 | Matthew 13:13 | This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ |
| 5 | Matthew 16:17 | Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — גָּלָה, gal-generated
The verb גָּלָה (galah) is an imperative form meaning to uncover or reveal. It implies a request for God to disclose spiritual truths that are not immediately visible. This word is often associated with both physical and metaphorical uncovering, suggesting a deeper understanding of God's ways.
In this context, the psalmist is asking God to remove any barriers to understanding, allowing him to see the wonders that lie within divine instruction. The act of uncovering is crucial for spiritual perception, emphasizing the need for God's intervention in gaining insight.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses Open for the Hebrew verb גָּלָה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb גַּל governs the main clause, with the noun phrase עֵינַ֥י as its object. The structure emphasizes the action of opening the eyes, which is central to the psalmist's request.
The additional clause וְאַבִּ֑יטָה introduces the purpose of the request, indicating that the opening of the eyes is intended for beholding wonderful things. This structure highlights the relationship between the action and its intended outcome.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates גָּלָה as ἀποκάλυψον, which means 'reveal' or 'uncover'. This choice aligns with the psalmist's request for divine revelation, emphasizing the need for God's intervention in understanding His law.
The use of ἀποκάλυψον suggests a broader interpretation of revelation, indicating that the psalmist seeks not just knowledge, but a profound unveiling of truth.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 119:18 is a plea for God to open the psalmist's eyes so he can see the wonderful truths in God's law. This verse highlights the importance of divine insight for understanding and following God's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a desire for spiritual insight and understanding of God's truths, allowing one to perceive the deeper meanings in His word.
Understanding the miraculous aspects of God's law can inspire faith and guide one's actions in accordance with divine will.
This verse reflects the psalmist's deep commitment to God's word and the desire for enlightenment, a recurring theme throughout Psalm 119.
Wondrous things may include God's promises, His acts of deliverance, and the moral and ethical teachings that guide believers in their lives.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need God's revelation to understand His guidance better?
- How can I cultivate a deeper appreciation for the truths found in God's law?
- What steps can I take to ensure that I am open to God's insights and teachings?
- How can I share the wondrous things I discover in God's word with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early church fathers referenced this verse to highlight the need for divine insight in understanding Scripture, arguing for the importance of spiritual perception in reading God's word.
We should ask the Father of the Word during each individual reading "when Moses is read," that he might fulfill even in us that which is written in the Psalms: "Open my eyes,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Therefore, let us fall, if it is necessary, into your detractions so long as the church, which has already turned to Christ the Lord, may know the truth of the Word that is completely covered under the veil of the letter.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
"Open Thou my eyes, and I will consider wondrous things of Your law" [Psalms 119:18].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:18 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOpen thou mine eyes,.... The eyes of my heart or understanding, as Kimchi; or, "reveal mine eyes" (t); take off the veil from them: there is a veil of darkness and ignorance on the hearts of all men,
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOpen thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOpen thou mine eyes; enlighten my mind by the light of thy Holy Spirit, and dispel all ignorance and error. Wondrous things out of thy law; those great and marvellous depths of Divine wisdom and goodness, and those profound mysteries of Christ and of God’ s grace to mankind, and of that future and everlasting state, which are contained in God’ s law, and which were not to be known but by divine illumination, ,14 4:4,6 Ephesians 1:17, especially in the times of the Old Testament.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.Ver. 18. Open thou mine eyes] Heb. unveil them, velamen amove, volumen evolve, give sight and light; irradiate both organ and object. In spirituals we are not only dim sighted, but blind as beetles, 1 Corinthians 2:14. Oh pray for that precious eye salve, Revelation 3:17, for that supernal light, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and whensoever we open the Bible to read, say, as here, "Open thou mine eyes," &c., as when we close it up again say, "I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad," Psalms 119:96. Wondrous things] Mirabilia magnalia, mysteria; such as none can understand and…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) Open.—Literally, uncover (see margin), as if without Divine grace the eyes were veiled to the wonder and beauty of the moral law. (Comp. 2 Corinthians 4:18.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 18. Open thou mine eyes] גל עיני gal eynai, reveal my eyes, illuminate my understanding, take away the veil that is on my heart, and then shall I see wonders in thy law. The Holy Scriptures are plain enough; but the heart of man is darkened by sin. The Bible does not so much need a comment, as the soul does the light of the Holy Spirit. Were it not for the darkness of the human intellect, the things relative to salvation would be easily apprehended.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges18. Open] Lit. uncover. Natural sight is unable to discern the mysteries (cp. Psalms 119:27) of Divine revelation; hence this prayer for the removal of the veil from his eyes. Cp. 2 Kings 6:17 (a different word); Ephesians 1:17-18.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOpen thou mine eyes - Margin, “Reveal.” So the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. The Hebrew word means to be naked; then to make naked, to uncover, to disclose, to reveal.
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
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!
Tyndale line
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open thou my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open mine eies, that I may see the wonders of thy Lawe.
Strictly literal
Open mine eyes, and I shall behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Uncover mine eyes, and I behold wonders out of Thy law.
Uncover my eyes, and I behold wonders out of Your law.
Open thou my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open my eyes so that I may see marvelous things in your law.
Simplified
Open my eyes so I may discover wonderful things in your law.
Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.
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 aligns with the Septuagint in meaning, with four of the five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the text, with slight variations in wording, but the core request remains consistent across these witnesses.
גַּל־ עֵינַ֥י וְאַבִּ֑יטָה נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃
4 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.
גל עינ׳י ואביטה נפלאות מתורותי׳כה
5 words on the leather.
גל עינ׳י אביט נפלאות [מתורת׳ך]
3 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 1 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 119:18
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.
The Hebrew word גָּלָה (galah) is a primitive root meaning to uncover or remove, with implications of revealing, disclosing, or going into exile. It encompasses various forms, including reflexive and passive uses, and can refer to both physical uncovering and metaphorical revelation. The word is notably associated with disgraceful exposure and the act of exile.
גָּלָה 189 vb. uncover, remove
Qal
uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
intr. remove, depart
go into exile
Niph.
refl.
uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
discover or shew oneself
pass.
be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
be disclosed, discovered
be removed
Pi.
uncover
disclose, discover, lay bare
make known, shew, reveal
Pu. be uncovered
Hiph. carry away into exile, take into exile
Hoph. carried into exile
Hithp.
was uncovered (naked)
that his heart may reveal itself
base
H1540 גָּלָה uncover, remove .. uncover the ear of one, i.e. reveal to him
. intr. remove, depart
. go into exile
. . refl. . uncover oneself (one’s nakedness)
. discover or shew oneself
. pass. . be uncovered (one’s nakedness)
. be disclosed, discovered
. be removed
. . uncover
. disclose, discover, lay bare
. make known, shew, reveal
. be uncovered
. carry away into exile, take into exile
. carried into exile
. . was uncovered (naked)
. that his heart may reveal itself
1540 galah gaw-law'
a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful
sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually
stripped); figuratively, to reveal:--+ advertise, appear,
bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity),
depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly,
publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell,
uncover.
הֶגְלָם (ga.lah) — Heglam.
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.8.7;
son of: Ehud (H0164);
brother of: Naaman (H5283J), Ahijah (H0281K), Uzza (H5798H) and Ahihud (H0284); also called Heglam (KJV: "removed"; NIV: "deported") at 1Ch.8.7;
Another name of ge.ra (גֵּרָא "Gera" H1617J)
to reveal oneself
גָּלָה (ga.lah) — to reveal: reveal.
: reveal[information]
1) to uncover, remove
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to uncover
1a2) to remove, depart
1a3) to go into exile
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) (reflexive)
1b1a) to uncover oneself
1b1b) to discover or show oneself
1b1c) to reveal himself (of God)
1b2) (passive)
1b2a) to be uncovered
1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered
1b2c) to be revealed
1b3) to be removed
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to uncover (nakedness)
1c1a) nakedness
1c1b) general
1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare
1c3) to make known, show, reveal
1d) (Pual) to be uncovered
V-Piel-Impv-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singularHVpv2ms
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
N-cd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp1bs
נָבַט (nabat) is a Hebrew verb meaning to look or regard. It encompasses various nuances, such as looking intently, considering, and showing favor or care. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, specifically the Piel and Hiphil stems, which emphasize the act of looking or regarding. No significant disagreements among lexicons are noted.
[נָבַט] vb. Pi., Hiph. look
Pi. look
Hiph. look
base
H5027 נָבַט look
5027 nabat naw-bat'
a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by
implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care:--(cause
to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see.
נָבַט (na.vat) — to look.
1) to look, regard
1a) (Piel) to look
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) tolook
1b2) to regard, show regard to, pay attention to, consider
1b3) to look upon, regard, show regard to
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs — Conjunction · verb hiphil infinitive construct first person common singularHC/Vhc1cs
The Hebrew word פָּלָא (pala') is a verb that conveys the idea of being extraordinary or wonderful. It can describe actions that are difficult to perform or understand, as well as marvelous acts of God, particularly in judgment and redemption. The word can also refer to making special offerings or showing oneself in a marvelous way.
[פָּלָא] 71 vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary
Niph.
be beyond one's power, difficult to do
be difficult to understand
be extraordinary, wonderful
as subst., marvellous things
= wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption
Pi. make a special votive offering
Hiph.
do a hard or difficult thing
make wonderful, do wondrously
of God working wonders in doing
Hithp. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me
base
H6381 פָּלָא vb. denom. Niph. etc., be surpassing, extraordinary . . be beyond one's power, difficult to do
. be difficult to understand
. . be extraordinary, wonderful
. as subst., marvellous things
. = wonderful acts of י׳ in judgement and redemption
. make a special votive offering
. . do a hard or difficult thing
. make wonderful, do wondrously
. of God working wonders in doing
. thou dost shew thyself marvellous (act inexplicably) against me
6381 pala' paw-law'
a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e.
distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be
(causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful:--accomplish,
(arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do,
do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles,
perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make)
wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things,
works, -ly).
פָּלָא (pa.la) — to wonder.
1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be beyond one's power, be difficult to do
1a2) to be difficult to understand
1a3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary
1a3a) marvellous (participle)
1b) (Piel) to separate (an offering)
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing
1c2) to make wonderful, do wondrously
1d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) feminine pluralHVNrfpa
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Prep | N-fs | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp2ms