Psalm 119:73

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet · Psalm 119:1–176
Read Psalm 119

Translations

Modern
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.
Traditional
י JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Literal
Your hands have made me and established me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.
Latin
Manus tuæ fecerunt me, et plasmaverunt me: da mihi intellectum, et discam mandata tua.

Original

Hebrew
English
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.

Notes

As God’s child, the psalmist asks for divine wisdom.

Yodh (י) is the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It marks the beginning of the next section of this psalm.

In this prayer for comfort and compassion, the psalmist commits himself to his Creator, who has afflicted him. He wants God to pay back his enemies for the wrongs they have done. He also prays to receive the gift of life. He not only prays for himself but also considers the whole community of the godly, asking that God’s answers to prayer would encourage them.

This psalm blends wisdom, lament, praise, thanksgiving, and confession. It often uses eight Hebrew words translated as:

  • “Instructions”

  • “law”

  • “words”

  • “commandments”

  • “statutes”

  • “judgments”

  • “promises”

  • “precepts“

These words encourage love for and obedience to God's instructions in the Scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:14–17). A deep commitment to these instructions unifies the psalm.

Glossary

Acrostic Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Minerals and Metals Music Poetry, Biblical Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of Word, Word of God, Words of God

Topics

God: Creator of Man Instruction: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Man: Created Prayer: Pleas offered In Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual