Psalms 119:169
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Original Language Analysis
תִּקְרַ֤ב
come near
H7126
תִּקְרַ֤ב
come near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 6
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
רִנָּתִ֣י
TAU Let my cry
H7440
רִנָּתִ֣י
TAU Let my cry
Strong's:
H7440
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֣יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה
thee O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
thee O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.Psalms 18:6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.2 Chronicles 1:10Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
Historical Context
The image of the cry 'coming near' reflects temple worship, where prayers ascended like incense (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4). The final section returns to the psalm's opening themes—seeking understanding (v. 169 echoes v. 34, 73, 125, 144) and divine instruction. The acrostic ends where it began: with God's Word as source of comprehension.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to ask for your prayer to 'come near' God rather than just asking God to answer?
- How does understanding 'according to' (<em>kid'varekha</em>) God's Word differ from human wisdom or intuition?
- In what specific area of confusion do you need to pray for God-given understanding rooted in Scripture?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD (תִּקְרַב רִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהוָה, tiqrav rinnati lefanekha YHWH)—The Taw (ת) section, final stanza, opens with urgent petition. Qarav means 'come near, approach, draw close'—often used of priestly access to God (Leviticus 21:21). Rinnah can mean 'cry, shout, song'—desperate appeal or joyful worship. The request: give me understanding according to thy word (כִּדְבָרְךָ הֲבִינֵנִי, kid'varekha havineni). Bin means 'discern, perceive, understand with insight.' Understanding flows from the Word itself.
James 1:5 echoes this: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' Christ grants the Spirit to illumine Scripture (John 16:13).