Psalms 146:8
The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
Original Language Analysis
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
פֹּ֘קֵ֤חַ
openeth
H6491
פֹּ֘קֵ֤חַ
openeth
Strong's:
H6491
Word #:
2 of 9
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 11:7For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.Psalms 145:14The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.Matthew 9:30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,Matthew 11:5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.John 16:27For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.2 Corinthians 7:6Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Historical Context
These descriptions anticipated the Messianic age when God would reverse all effects of the Fall. Isaiah prophesied the blind seeing, deaf hearing, lame leaping (Isaiah 35:5-6), fulfilled in Jesus's ministry as signs authenticating His Messiahship (Matthew 11:2-6). The psalm proclaims God's character as Redeemer and Restorer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's healing ministry demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promise to open blind eyes?
- In what ways do believers experience being 'raised up' when bowed down by sin, grief, or oppression?
- What does it mean that God 'loves the righteous'—does this exclude others or describe covenant relationship?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous. The triple repetition of Yahweh (יְהוָה) emphasizes that God Himself—not human intermediaries—performs these saving acts. Poqeach ivrim (פֹּקֵחַ עִוְרִים) "opens the eyes of the blind" includes both physical healing and spiritual enlightenment (Isaiah 42:7). Jesus fulfilled this literally and spiritually (John 9, Luke 4:18).
Raiseth them that are bowed down (zoqef kĕfufim, זֹקֵף כְּפוּפִים) echoes Psalm 145:14—God lifts those crushed by burdens. Loveth the righteous (ohev tsaddiqim, אֹהֵב צַדִּיקִים)—ahav (אָהַב) denotes loyal, covenant love toward the tsaddiq (צַדִּיק) "righteous," those justified by faith and living in covenant faithfulness.