Psalms 119:171
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 119:171
171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
Chapter Context
Psalms 119 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, salvation, worship. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-176: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 119:171
171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
Analysis
My lips shall utter praise (תַּבַּעְנָה שְׂפָתַי תְּהִלָּה, tava'nah sefatai tehillah)—Nava means 'pour forth, gush, stream, bubble up.' Tehillah is 'praise, laudation'—the root of Tehillim (Psalms). Lips overflow with praise. The condition: when thou hast taught me thy statutes (כִּי תְלַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ, ki telamedeni chuqqekha). Lamad ('teach, instruct, train') with chuqqim (statutes, inscribed decrees) as object. Learning produces praising.
This echoes Ephesians 5:18-19: Spirit-filling results in 'speaking...in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.' True praise flows from divine instruction, not emotional manipulation.
Historical Context
The causal connection ('when thou hast taught me') shows that authentic praise requires understanding. Israel's worship wasn't mindless ecstasy but informed response to revelation. Moses prayed for God to 'teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom' (Psalm 90:12)—wisdom enables worship.
Reflection
- How does your praise life reflect the depth of your instruction in God's statutes?
- What would it look like practically for praise to 'pour forth' (<em>nava</em>) from your lips as natural overflow of God's teaching?
- How does the connection between divine teaching and human praise guard against both dead orthodoxy and contentless emotionalism?
Cross-References
- Resurrection: Psalms 50:23, 51:15, 119:7
- Parallel theme: Psalms 71:17, 94:12