Psalms 119:125
in Psalms 119I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
KJV
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
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This verse in Psalms 119
Commentary
11 notes on this verseThe blessed David asks the Lord for that very understanding by which he can recognize God's commands, which he well knew were written in the book of the law, when he says "I am your servant: O give me understanding that I may learn your commandments." Certainly he was in possession of understanding, which had been granted to him by nature, and also had at his fingers' ends a knowledge of God's commands which were preserved in writing in the law.
This site's exposition
I have done what is just and right
on Psalms 119:121-128
He pleads on the ground of his own conduct, having done what is just and right, and asks to be kept from his oppressors. Verse 126 says the time has come for the LORD to act, because they have broken His law. He admires all the precepts and hates every false way.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
"I am Your servant. O grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies" [Psalm 119:125]. This petition must never be intermitted. For it suffices not to have received understanding, and to have learned the testimonies of God, unless it be evermore received, and evermore in a manner quaffed from the fountain of eternal light. For the testimonies of God are the better and the better known, the more understanding a man attains to.
There has to be a distinction between the law and grace. The law knows how to command; grace, how to help. The law would not command if there were no free will, nor would grace help if the will were sufficient. We are commanded to have understanding when the Scripture says, "Do not become like the horse and the mule that have no understanding," yet we pray to have understanding when it says, "Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments." We are commanded to have wisdom when it says, "You fools, be wise at last," but we pray to have wisdom when it says, "If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach." We are commanded to have continence when it says, "Be prepared for action," but we pray to have continence when it says, "As I knew that no one could be continent except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom to know whose gift it was, I went to the Lord and besought him." Finally, not to be too lengthy in listing all the rest, we are commanded not to do evil when it says, "Decline from evil," but we pray not to do evil when it says, "We pray the Lord that you do no evil." We are commanded to do good when it says, "Decline from evil and do good," but we pray to do good when it says, "We cease not to pray for you, asking," and among other things that he asks he mentions, "That you may walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, in every good work and good word." As then we acknowledge the part played by the will when these commands are given, so let him acknowledge the part played by grace when these petitions are offered.
The Medieval Church1 voice
A commentator
BonaventureCollationes de Septem Donis, Collation 4 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
"I am thy servant: give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies." Gratuitous knowledge teaches to know and the manner of knowing.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
I am thy servant,....
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
On the grounds of his integrity, desire for God's word, and covenant relation to Him, the servant of God may plead for His protecting care against the wicked, gracious guidance to the knowledge of truth, and His effective vindication of the righteous and their cause, which is also His own.
4 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
"I am thy servant." This is the third time he has repeated this title in this one section: he is evidently fond of the name, and conceives it to be very effective plea. We who rejoice that we are sons of God are by no the less delighted to be his servants. Did not the firstborn Son assume the servant's form and fulfil the servant's labour to the full? What high, honour can the younger brethren desire than to be made like the Heir of things. "Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies."
"I am thy servant." This is the third time he has repeated this title in this one section: he is evidently fond of the name, and conceives it to be very effective plea. We who rejoice that we are sons of God are by no the less delighted to be his servants. Did not the firstborn Son assume the servant's form and fulfil the servant's labour to the full? What high, honour can the younger brethren desire than to be made like the Heir of things. "Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies." In the previous verse he sought teaching; but here he goes much further, and craves understanding. Usually, if the instructor supplies the teaching, the pupil finds the understanding; but in our case we are far more dependent, must beg for understanding as well as teaching: this the ordinary teacher cannot give, and we are thrice happy that our Divine Tutor can furnish us with it. We are to confess ourselves fools, and then our Lord will make us wise, as well as give us knowledge. The best understanding is that which enables us to render perfect obedience and to exhibit intelligent faith, and it is this which David desires,—"understanding, that I may know thy testimonies." Some would rather not know these things; they prefer to be at ease in the dark rather than possess the light which leads to repentance and diligence. The servant of God longs to know in an understanding manner all that the Lord reveals of man and to man; he wishes to be so instructed that he may apprehend and comprehend that which is taught him.
I am thy servant - See on Psa 119:94 (note).
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
I am thy servant - See the notes at Psa 116:16. Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies - Since I am thy servant, instruct me in the knowledge of thy will. As I desire to obey thee, show me what will be acceptable obedience, or what thou dost require in order to acceptable service. This is a prayer of piety. A man who sincerely desires to obey God will make it a first point to ascertain what is his will, or what will constitute true obedience.
The words behind it
5 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| עַבְדְּךָ־ | ʾavdekha- | [am] servant your | H5650 → | 799 times |
| אָ֥נִי | ʾani | I | H589 → | 874 times |
| הֲבִינֵ֑נִי | havineni | give understanding me | H995 → | 170 times |
| וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה | veedeah | so let me know | H3045 → | 945 times |
| עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | ʾedoteikha | testimonies your | H5713 → | 26 times |
עַבְדְּךָ־[am] servant your
ʾavdekha-H5650 →799 times
אָ֥נִיI
ʾaniH589 →874 times
הֲבִינֵ֑נִיgive understanding me
havineniH995 →170 times
וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗הso let me know
veedeahH3045 →945 times
עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃testimonies your
ʾedoteikhaH5713 →26 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
James 1:5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
it leads to
- Proverbs 2:3–6
if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding,
- John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
- Jeremiah 29:12–13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
- Proverbs 3:5–7
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- 1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
- Proverbs 2:3–6
Through
Psalms 116:16Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
it leads to
- Psalms 86:16
Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant.
- Psalms 86:16
Through
Proverbs 14:8The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.
it leads to
- Ephesians 5:17
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- 2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
- Ephesians 5:17
Where this verse is studied
About Psalms
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Book of Psalms; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 119; Augustine of Hippo, LETTER 177; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 4; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 6; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Cassian, CONFERENCE 3:15; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.