Psalms 119:136
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Original Language Analysis
פַּלְגֵי
Rivers
H6388
פַּלְגֵי
Rivers
Strong's:
H6388
Word #:
1 of 8
a rill (i.e., small channel of water, as in irrigation)
מַ֭יִם
of waters
H4325
מַ֭יִם
of waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
2 of 8
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
יָרְד֣וּ
run down
H3381
יָרְד֣וּ
run down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
3 of 8
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
עֵינָ֑י
mine eyes
H5869
עֵינָ֑י
mine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
4 of 8
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עַ֝֗ל
H5921
עַ֝֗ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:1Oh 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!Ezekiel 9:4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.Psalms 119:53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.Jeremiah 9:18And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.Jeremiah 14:17Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.1 Samuel 15:11It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.Psalms 119:158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.Jeremiah 13:17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.Luke 19:41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
Historical Context
This concludes the Pe (פ) stanza. The progression moves from wonder at God's Word (v. 129) to panting desire (v. 131) to weeping over its violation (v. 136). Prophetic figures (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jesus) wept over covenant-breaking. Grief for sin's prevalence should mark God's people.
Questions for Reflection
- When was the last time you wept over others' disregard for God's law—not from self-righteousness but from love for God's honor?
- How does holy sorrow for widespread sin differ from judgmental disdain or apathetic tolerance?
- What does it reveal about your heart if you never grieve over the violation of God's Word in your culture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes (פַּלְגֵי־מַיִם יָרְדוּ עֵינָי, palgei-mayim yardu einai)—Peleg means stream, canal, channel—not drops but torrents. Yarad (run down, descend) suggests continuous flow. The hyperbolic imagery communicates overwhelming grief. Jeremiah wept similarly over Jerusalem's rebellion (Lam 3:48-49).
Because they keep not thy law (עַל אֲשֶׁר לֹא־שָׁמְרוּ תוֹרָתֶךָ, al asher lo-shameru toratekha)—The tears flow not from personal suffering but from others' violation of God's torah. This is holy sorrow for God's dishonor. Paul had 'great sorrow and continual grief' for Israel's unbelief (Rom 9:2). Righteous weeping over sin marks spiritual maturity.