Psalm 119 135

Psalm 119:135 kjv

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:135 nkjv

Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:135 niv

Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:135 esv

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

Psalm 119:135 nlt

Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 135 Meaning

Psalm 119:135 is a heartfelt prayer to God, expressing a deep longing for His divine favor, presence, and blessing. The psalmist humbly petitions for God's illuminating and approving countenance to rest upon him, acknowledging himself as God's dedicated servant. Immediately linked to this request for divine favor is a profound desire for spiritual enlightenment and instruction concerning God's righteous decrees and unchanging will, indicating that the sought-after blessing is primarily for a deeper understanding and obedience to God's revealed truth.

Psalm 119 135 Context

Psalm 119 is a monumental acrostic poem, the longest chapter in the Bible, entirely devoted to extolling the perfection, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's Word (referred to by various synonyms like statutes, commandments, laws, precepts, testimonies, judgments, word, and ways). Each of its 22 eight-verse sections begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 135 falls within the "Peh" (פּ) section (vv. 129-136), which highlights the psalmist's wonder at God's testimonies (v. 129), his desire for understanding (vv. 130, 134), his deep longing for God's face (v. 135), and his profound sorrow over those who disobey God's law (v. 136). The broader context of the Psalm is a believer's lifelong pilgrimage of delighting in, meditating on, seeking to obey, and finding refuge and wisdom in God's perfect Word amidst life's trials and temptations. Historically, such devotion to the Torah was central to Israelite identity, particularly poignant during periods of exile or post-exilic rebuilding, where adherence to divine law distinguished them among nations.

Psalm 119 135 Word analysis

• Make: The Hebrew word is עֲשֵׂה (`'aseh`), an imperative verb meaning "do," "make," "perform." It signifies a plea for God to actively bring about this blessing; it is an action initiated by the Divine.
• Thy face: The Hebrew term is פָּנֶיךָ (`paneyka`). "Face" often represents God's presence, favor, and direct manifestation of His benevolent disposition. It denotes a personal and direct interaction, not an impersonal force.
• to shine: The Hebrew is הָאֵר (`ha'er`), an imperative verb meaning "to cause light," "to illuminate," "to be bright." In this context, it implies God's glory, favor, and blessings being radiated upon the supplicant, bringing warmth, joy, spiritual discernment, and removing any darkness of sorrow or confusion.
• upon: The Hebrew preposition is עַל (`'al`), meaning "upon" or "over." It indicates the direction and extent of the divine shining, encompassing and blessing the individual.
• Thy servant: The Hebrew is עַבְדֶּךָ (`'avdekha`). The psalmist humbly identifies himself as "Your servant," signifying a posture of submission, allegiance, and devotion to God as his rightful Lord and Master. This is a common self-designation of devout individuals in the Bible, emphasizing duty and dependence.
• and teach: The Hebrew is וְלַמְּדֵנִי (`ve-lammedeni`). The conjunction "and" connects the two petitions, showing their interdependent nature. "Teach" is an imperative, pleading for divine instruction, not merely intellectual knowledge but an experiential understanding of God's ways, empowered by the Spirit.
• me: The suffix refers to the psalmist, personalizing the request for direct divine instruction.
• Thy statutes: The Hebrew is חֻקֶּיךָ (`chukkeyka`), referring to God's "statutes," "decrees," or "ordinances." These are God's fixed, established, and authoritative laws or rules that delineate righteous living and divine will. In Psalm 119, it is one of several terms used synonymously to refer to the entirety of God's revealed Word.

• "Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant": This phrase is a rich theological expression rooted in the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26. It embodies a prayer for God's open, benevolent, and accepting presence. A shining face from God dispels spiritual darkness, signifies divine approval, brings comfort in affliction, guidance in perplexity, and infuses life with His joy and peace. It indicates the removal of divine displeasure or hiddenness and the bestowal of profound spiritual favor, often leading to prosperity and deliverance, understood spiritually.
• "and teach me Thy statutes": This second part reveals the ultimate purpose behind seeking God's favor. The psalmist does not seek the blessing for its own sake, but as a means to a greater end: understanding and living by God's revealed will. It implies an admission of human inability to fully grasp divine truth without God's direct intervention. This combination shows a heart desiring intimacy with God for the purpose of intelligent obedience and faithful walking in His divine standards, prioritizing wisdom and righteousness above all. The illumination requested in the first part serves to facilitate the learning in the second part.

Psalm 119 135 Bonus section

The order of the two petitions in this verse is significant. The psalmist first asks for God's favor and presence, and then asks for teaching. This suggests that the reception of divine illumination and favor is a precondition or catalyst for truly understanding God's Word. When God's "face shines" upon an individual, it signifies not only blessing but also clarity of spiritual vision, making one receptive to divine truth. This aligns with the New Testament concept that only the Spirit of God can truly reveal the things of God (1 Cor 2:10-14). Furthermore, this prayer subtly reflects the covenant relationship: God blesses His people (His face shines), and in return, they are enabled to keep His commands (they are taught His statutes). It anticipates the New Covenant, where the Spirit writes God's law on the heart (Jer 31:33) and illuminates understanding, bringing believers into deeper intimacy with God and more profound obedience to His will, all through Christ Jesus, who is the light of the world (Jn 8:12).

Psalm 119 135 Commentary

Psalm 119:135 offers a dual prayer reflecting a heart earnestly devoted to God. The opening petition, "Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant," is a profound appeal for God's intimate presence, His manifest favor, and a radiant outpouring of His blessing. The "shining face" is a vivid biblical metaphor for divine approval, gracious acceptance, and the bestowing of peace and light into the life of the believer. It is a yearning for the experiential awareness of God's benevolent regard, lifting spiritual shadows and filling the soul with joy. By identifying himself as "Thy servant," the psalmist reaffirms his posture of humble allegiance and desire to please his divine Master. This plea, however, is not for comfort or prosperity in isolation. It is intrinsically linked to the subsequent request: "and teach me Thy statutes." This second half clarifies the ultimate desire: to comprehend and obey God's divine decrees. The psalmist recognizes that the most profound blessing is the capacity to walk faithfully in God's will. He understands that genuine spiritual enlightenment, which stems from God's shining face, empowers deeper understanding and adherence to God's unchangeable laws. Therefore, the prayer combines a yearning for God's personal, comforting presence with an insatiable hunger for divine truth and wisdom, demonstrating that true spiritual favor leads to greater devotion and knowledgeable obedience.

• Example 1: When faced with a perplexing life choice, a believer might pray for God's "face to shine" by making His will clear, while simultaneously asking Him to "teach His statutes" by bringing relevant scriptural principles to mind.
• Example 2: In times of spiritual discouragement, a soul might cry out for God's comforting "face to shine" to feel His presence, coupled with a request to "teach His statutes" to reignite passion for His Word and reveal fresh insights.