Psalms 119:34
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Original Language Analysis
הֲ֭בִינֵנִי
Give me understanding
H995
הֲ֭בִינֵנִי
Give me understanding
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
1 of 6
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה
and I shall keep
H5341
וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה
and I shall keep
Strong's:
H5341
Word #:
2 of 6
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ
thy law
H8451
תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ
thy law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
3 of 6
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה
yea I shall observe
H8104
וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה
yea I shall observe
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
Cross References
Matthew 7:24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: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 119:73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.James 1:25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.Psalms 119:58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.Psalms 119:69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.Psalms 119:10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Historical Context
Hebrew wisdom literature distinguishes between knowledge (facts) and understanding (discernment). The psalmist prays for binah, the ability to apply Torah to complex situations. In a pre-New Covenant context, this understanding was partial; post-Pentecost, the Spirit writes God's law on hearts, making whole-hearted observance possible through regeneration.
Questions for Reflection
- What's the difference between knowing God's law intellectually and having the understanding that enables heartfelt obedience?
- How do you actively seek divine understanding of Scripture beyond reading—meditation, memorization, Spirit-dependent prayer?
- Where are you trying to observe God's law through willpower instead of crying for the understanding that makes obedience flow from the heart?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law (הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָה תֽוֹרָתֶךָ)—Bin (to discern, understand) is penetrating insight that distinguishes truth from error. The Hiphil form (havineni) means 'cause me to understand'—understanding is God's gift, not human achievement. Torah (law, instruction) is kept only when understood, yet understanding itself must be granted. Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart (וְאֶשְׁמְרֶנָּה בְכָל־לֵב)—Shamar (to keep, observe, guard) with khol-lev (whole heart) promises undivided devotion. This echoes the Shema: "love the LORD your God with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 6:5).
The progression is revelatory: teaching (v.33) leads to understanding (v.34) which enables whole-hearted observance. This isn't legalistic externalism but Spirit-illumined internalization. The psalmist recognizes that mere information doesn't transform—divine understanding must penetrate the heart. This is Ezekiel's promise: "A new heart also will I give you" (Ezekiel 36:26). Christ fulfills this as the incarnate Word who both reveals the Father and sends the illuminating Spirit.