Psalms 119:79
Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
Original Language Analysis
יָשׁ֣וּבוּ
thee turn
H7725
יָשׁ֣וּבוּ
thee turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 5
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Psalms 119:63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.Psalms 142:7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.Psalms 7:7So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.Psalms 119:74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
Historical Context
In times of persecution, the godly remnant needed mutual encouragement. The 'God-fearers' formed the core of faithful Israel, maintaining Torah obedience when the majority compromised. Post-exilic Judaism emphasized community identity around Scripture knowledge—a pattern continued in synagogue culture.
Questions for Reflection
- Who in your life both fears God and knows His Word deeply enough to sharpen your faith?
- How intentionally do you seek fellowship with those who make Scripture their authority?
- What role does community play in sustaining your faithfulness during spiritual isolation?
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Analysis & Commentary
Let those that fear thee turn unto me (יָשׁוּבוּ לִי יְרֵאֶיךָ)—yashuvu (turn/return) could mean 'turn to me for fellowship' or 'return to me after distancing.' The yir'ekha (those who fear thee) are the covenant community. And those that have known thy testimonies (וְיֹדְעֵי עֵדֹתֶיךָ) defines them further: those who yod'ei (know) God's edot (testimonies/covenant stipulations) through relationship, not mere information.
The psalmist desires community with the faithful—those whose orthodoxy (right doctrine) produces orthopraxy (right living). This anticipates Jesus's prayer for unity among believers (John 17:21) and the apostolic emphasis on fellowship with like-minded saints (1 John 1:3).