Psalms 119:130

Analysis & Commentary

"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." The vivid imagery palgei mayim yardu einai (rivers of water descend from my eyes) describes torrential weeping. Peleg means stream, channel, watercourse—not mere tears but flowing streams. The cause: al lo shamru toratekha (because they have not kept your law). The psalmist weeps not over personal suffering but others' disobedience to God. This echoes Jeremiah's grief ("Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" Jeremiah 9:1), Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), and Paul's tears for enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:18). Godly grief over sin—especially corporate sin—marks mature spirituality. Contrasts with self-righteous judgment or indifferent tolerance.

Historical Context

Prophets regularly wept over Israel's covenant unfaithfulness—Jeremiah called the "weeping prophet" for lamenting Judah's sin and coming judgment. Ezekiel mourned Israel's idolatry (Ezekiel 9:4-6). Nehemiah wept upon hearing Jerusalem's walls remained broken (Nehemiah 1:4). This grief reflected both love for God (whose honor was trampled) and love for people (facing judgment). Post-exile, renewed covenant faithfulness produced corresponding grief when backsliding recurred. The New Testament similarly records apostolic tears over false teaching and worldliness (Acts 20:31, 2 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Timothy 1:4).

Questions for Reflection

• Do you grieve over society's disregard for God's law, or has cultural sin become normalized in your mind?
• What is the difference between godly grief over sin and self-righteous judgment?
• How can believers cultivate holy grief while avoiding both indifference and despair?