Psalm 119 131

Psalm 119:131 kjv

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Psalm 119:131 nkjv

I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.

Psalm 119:131 niv

I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

Psalm 119:131 esv

I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

Psalm 119:131 nlt

I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 131 Meaning

Psalm 119:131 expresses an overwhelming and desperate spiritual yearning for God's divine instructions. The psalmist vividly portrays a physical manifestation of this intense desire, likening it to gasping for air, indicating a deep, almost painful longing for the precepts and revealed will of God. This signifies that God's Word is seen as essential for spiritual sustenance and life, yearned for with the same intensity that a person suffering from thirst or suffocation craves water or breath.

Psalm 119 131 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a poetic acrostic where each section (eight verses) begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is entirely devoted to exalting the Law of God (Torah), using eight principal synonyms: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, rules/judgments, word, and promise/decrees. The psalmist expresses profound love, delight, meditation, and obedience toward God's instructions in the face of various challenges—affliction, opposition from the proud, and temptation. Verse 131, part of the Tsade section, portrays an individual deeply enamored with God's word, seeing it as life's indispensable guide. Historically, the "Law" (Torah) was not merely a set of rules but the entire revealed will of God, a covenant document and a way of life, cherished as a gift that leads to blessing and life, distinguishing Israel from surrounding pagan nations whose gods offered no such life-giving wisdom or consistent moral framework. The yearning presented is therefore for the very essence of true life and relationship with the divine.

Psalm 119 131 Word analysis

• "I opened my mouth" (וּפָצַעְתִּי – uphatsaʿti): The Hebrew verb patsaʿ means to open wide, to cleave, or break open. Here, it signifies a voluntary and full opening of the mouth, not just speaking. In this context, combined with "panted," it indicates a gasp or heave, often associated with intense emotion or physical need. It denotes a visceral reaction, not a casual or intellectual acknowledgement.
• "and panted" (וָאֶשְׁאַף – va'esh'aph): The Hebrew verb sha'aph means to gasp for air, to suck in, or to pant. It implies a strong physical craving, a struggling for breath or sustenance. It's often used for an intense longing, as seen in Ps 42:1 where the deer pants for water. This powerful imagery conveys extreme spiritual hunger or thirst, an uncontrollable need.
• "for I longed" (כִּי נִכְסַפְתִּי – ki nikhsaphti): The Hebrew verb kāsaph means to yearn, long for, earnestly desire. It is a deep internal longing, often emotional and passionate. The "for" (כִּי – ki) directly links the physical panting to this inner, fervent yearning. This is the heart's true desire being expressed.
• "for thy commandments" (לְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ – l'mitzvoteyka): "Commandments" (mitzvot) are one of the many synonyms for God's divine revelation used throughout Psalm 119. It encompasses God's laws, precepts, instructions, and entire moral and spiritual framework for life. This phrase defines the specific object of the psalmist's fervent longing. It is not an abstract concept but God's specific, revealed will.

Words-group analysis

• "I opened my mouth, and panted": This phrase paints a powerful physical picture of spiritual urgency. It is an almost involuntary, instinctual reaction to an intense need, akin to one desperately needing air after being deprived, or one on the verge of fainting from thirst. It indicates that the psalmist's longing for God's truth has become so profound it manifests physically, consuming their entire being. It moves beyond intellectual appreciation to a bodily yearning for divine truth and guidance.
• "for I longed for thy commandments": This second part provides the crucial spiritual context for the preceding physical expression. It clarifies that the gasping and panting are not due to physical duress but are a direct consequence and reflection of a soul-deep desire for God's revealed will. The 'commandments' are understood in the broad sense of the Torah – the wisdom, instruction, and moral guidance given by God, which is life-giving and soul-satisfying.

Psalm 119 131 Bonus section

The intense physical imagery of Psalm 119:131, specifically the "panting," would resonate deeply with ancient Israelite audiences who lived closer to an agrarian, physically demanding existence. The reference to sha'aph (panting/gasping) can also be found in passages relating to hunger or exhaustion (e.g., Job 5:5; 7:2), highlighting the severity of the psalmist's spiritual condition apart from God's word. This passionate yearning is a polemic against apathy or intellectual indifference towards divine revelation; it champions a spiritual life marked by zealous pursuit of God and His truth. This type of deep longing indicates a believer who finds their very life and breath dependent upon hearing and internalizing God's commands, demonstrating that faith is not merely adherence to rules, but a fervent relationship seeking continuous intimacy with the Divine Lawgiver through His Word.

Psalm 119 131 Commentary

Psalm 119:131 offers a profound depiction of fervent spiritual desire, showcasing a hunger for God's Word that is almost excruciating in its intensity. The psalmist's physical reactions—opening the mouth and panting—are not mere poetic embellishment but deeply authentic expressions of a soul consumed by an earnest craving for God's statutes. This is not passive longing; it is active and overwhelming, signifying that the believer finds life, guidance, and satisfaction uniquely in God's divine decrees. It contrasts sharply with those who view God's law as restrictive or burdensome; instead, the psalmist sees it as essential sustenance, akin to the breath of life itself. Such profound longing transforms obedience from a mere duty into a passionate pursuit, aligning the inner self with God's perfect will and finding ultimate satisfaction there.

• Example 1: A student diligently searching through a difficult subject for the truth, consuming knowledge with passion.
• Example 2: An athlete pushing their body to its limits, gasping for air, solely driven by the desire to cross the finish line and win.