Psalms 119:96
I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
Original Language Analysis
לְֽכָל
H3605
לְֽכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָאִ֣יתִי
I have seen
H7200
רָאִ֣יתִי
I have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
קֵ֑ץ
an end
H7093
קֵ֑ץ
an end
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
4 of 7
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
רְחָבָ֖ה
broad
H7342
רְחָבָ֖ה
broad
Strong's:
H7342
Word #:
5 of 7
roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively
Cross References
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Ecclesiastes 2:11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.Matthew 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Historical Context
Solomon's wisdom had limits (1 Kings 4:29-34), yet he wrote Ecclesiastes lamenting life "under the sun" as vanity. Rome's glory crumbled, Greece's philosophy became foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:20). Every human system reaches its ketz. Only God's Word endures (Matthew 24:35).
Questions for Reflection
- What "perfections" (achievements, relationships, experiences) have you seen reach their limits? How did that revelation affect you?
- In what ways is God's commandment "exceeding broad"—how does it address areas of life you initially thought it didn't touch?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I have seen an end of all perfection (לְכָל־תִּכְלָה רָאִיתִי קֵץ lekhol-tikhlah ra'iti ketz)—Tikhlah (perfection, completeness) has limits (ketz, end, boundary). The psalmist observes finitude in all created excellence. But thy commandment is exceeding broad (רְחָבָה מִצְוָתְךָ מְאֹד rechavah mitzvatkha me'od)—In contrast, God's mitzvah (commandment, law) is rachav (wide, broad, expansive) beyond measure (me'od, exceedingly).
This begins the Mem (מ) section, shifting from affliction's testing to wisdom's meditation. Human achievement—beauty, strength, intellect—all fade (Isaiah 40:6-8). But Scripture's scope is infinite: Jesus intensified this in Matthew 5:21-48, showing how commandments penetrate not just actions but thoughts. Romans 7:12 declares the law "holy, just, and good"—comprehensive in moral demand, inexhaustible in application.