Psalm 119 108

Psalm 119:108 kjv

Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

Psalm 119:108 nkjv

Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your judgments.

Psalm 119:108 niv

Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

Psalm 119:108 esv

Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules.

Psalm 119:108 nlt

LORD, accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 108 Meaning

Psalm 119:108 is a fervent two-part prayer by the psalmist. First, he appeals to God to accept the sincere, voluntary expressions of devotion that emanate from his lips, not as compulsory sacrifices but as spontaneous offerings of praise, prayer, and vows. Second, he pleads for divine instruction, asking the Lord to teach him His righteous decrees and moral judgments. It encapsulates a desire for God's approval of his spoken worship, coupled with an earnest yearning for deeper understanding and adherence to God's revealed will.

Psalm 119 108 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, composed as an acrostic poem, with each of its 22 stanzas beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 176 verses focuses on the nature, value, and transformative power of God's Word, using synonyms like law, statutes, decrees, commandments, precepts, ordinances, testimonies, and judgments.

Verse 108 is found within the Lamedh (ל) section (verses 89-96). This section often emphasizes God's faithfulness and the permanence of His Word in heaven, yet the psalmist feels his human limitations and continues to cling to God's precepts despite afflictions. Throughout the psalm, there is a recurring pattern of affirmation of God's law, a description of the psalmist's personal commitment to it, a cry for divine help or teaching to keep it, and a reflection on his current circumstances, often involving distress or opposition. This specific verse aligns with the frequent prayers in the psalm for understanding, strength, and divine guidance in walking according to God's judgments, emphasizing a holistic approach where heartfelt devotion and diligent learning are intertwined. Historically, the verse speaks to the transition in worship emphasis from solely animal sacrifices to more spiritual, internal expressions of faith, particularly evident in the post-exilic period or by devout individuals who understood the essence of true religion.

Psalm 119 108 Word analysis

• Accept (Heb. qabbēl, קַבֵּל): The root verb means "to receive," "to accept with favor," "to welcome." It carries the nuance of seeking divine approval and acknowledgment for what is being offered. The supplicant is not just offering, but deeply desiring that God finds his offering pleasing.

• I pray (implied by the imperative verb form and context of supplication): This phrase reflects the reverent and humble attitude of prayer, making a earnest plea.

• freewill offerings (Heb. nᵉdāḇôt, נְדָבוֹת): Derived from the root nadab (נָדַב), meaning "to be willing," "to give generously." These are voluntary gifts, offerings given spontaneously from a willing heart, not under compulsion or legal obligation. In the Old Testament, nedavah usually referred to material sacrifices (Lev 22:21-23; Num 29:39). Here, its application to "mouth" spiritualizes the concept, signifying worship that flows from unreserved devotion.

• of my mouth (Heb. pî, פִּי): Refers literally to the organ of speech, but contextually to all verbal expressions of worship: prayers, praise, vows, thanksgiving, confessions, and declarations of commitment. It points to spoken devotion as a spiritual offering.

• O Lord (Heb. YHWH, יְהוָה): The divine covenant name, emphasizing God's personal relationship with His people and His reliability. It indicates the psalmist's personal address and intimate trust in the One to whom he prays.

• and teach me (Heb. līmmᵉḏēnî, לַמְּדֵדֵנִי): The root lamad (לָמַד) means "to learn" or "to teach." Here in the imperative, it's an earnest petition for divine instruction. It highlights the psalmist's humility and his recognition that true understanding of God's ways comes only through God's revelation and guidance, not mere human intellect or study.

• Your judgments (Heb. mišpāṭeykā, מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ): Mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) refers to God's righteous decrees, ordinances, laws, and the principles by which He governs and administers justice. It encompasses not just legal statutes, but the just and moral framework of His character and will. The plural "judgments" suggests the multifaceted expressions of divine truth.

• "freewill offerings of my mouth": This phrase encapsulates the spiritual nature of true worship. It moves beyond prescribed rituals or animal sacrifices, highlighting sincere, uncoerced expressions of devotion, prayer, and praise as being valuable and pleasing to God. It emphasizes an internal, heartfelt willingness rather than mere external performance, linking worship with sincere verbal outflow.

• "Accept, I pray... and teach me Your judgments": This juxtaposition reveals a core principle: acceptable worship is intimately linked to, and indeed dependent on, an understanding and submission to God's revealed will. The psalmist offers his praise and then seeks further illumination, implying that his worship is a means to draw closer to God's truth, and that adherence to God's truth perfects his worship. It's a prayer for both vertical devotion and horizontal obedience grounded in divine wisdom.

Psalm 119 108 Bonus section

• The prayer for acceptance of "freewill offerings of my mouth" resonates with the prophetic understanding that true sacrifice involves repentance, righteousness, and sincere praise (e.g., Hos 14:2, "the calves of our lips"; Ps 51:17, "a broken and contrite heart"). It underscores a shift from ritualistic sacrifice to ethical and spiritual obedience.
• This verse embodies a holistic spiritual discipline where worship is not separated from wisdom. The supplicant understands that mere outward expressions, if detached from an informed obedience to God's judgments, hold little value. Thus, an accepted offering flows from a spirit willing to be taught and transformed by God's Word.
• The phrase "freewill offerings" points to the grace aspect of worship. It's not something compelled, but a spontaneous overflow of a heart grateful for God's unfailing Word (as emphasized throughout Psalm 119). This willing heart is precisely what God seeks in His worshippers (Jn 4:23-24).
• The continuous prayer for "teach me Your judgments" underscores that learning God's Word is an ongoing, lifelong process requiring persistent reliance on divine illumination. It's not a one-time event but a daily dependency.

Psalm 119 108 Commentary

Psalm 119:108 expresses the psalmist's profound desire for God's approval of his innermost devotion, particularly as articulated through prayer, praise, and vows ("freewill offerings of my mouth"). This highlights that genuine worship extends beyond external acts to encompass heartfelt, spontaneous verbal expressions originating from a willing spirit, seen as a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God (cf. Heb 13:15). Concurrent with this desire for acceptance, the psalmist yearns for deeper insight into God's moral and righteous standards ("teach me Your judgments"). This prayer connects worship directly to a pursuit of wisdom and obedience, recognizing that acceptable praise flows from a life aligned with divine truth, and a life of truth is nurtured by God's ongoing instruction. It illustrates a biblical truth that true devotion is not just feeling, but understanding; it is not just speaking, but living according to God's revealed will. The psalmist demonstrates humility in acknowledging his need for divine guidance, knowing that perfect comprehension and application of God's Word ultimately depend on His teaching.