Psalm 119:136 kjv
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Psalm 119:136 nkjv
Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.
Psalm 119:136 niv
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
Psalm 119:136 esv
My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.
Psalm 119:136 nlt
Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.
Psalm 119 136 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 9:1 | Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears... | Prophetic lament over national sin. |
| Jer 13:17 | But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride... | Prophet's hidden grief over disobedience. |
| Lam 3:48-49 | My eyes stream with rivers of tears because of the destruction... | Intense sorrow for the nation's calamity. |
| Psa 119:53 | Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. | Righteous anger at lawlessness. |
| Ezra 9:3-4 | ...I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. | Ezra's anguish over the people's transgression. |
| Neh 1:4-6 | As soon as I heard these words...I wept and mourned... | Nehemiah's sorrow and prayer for Israel's sin. |
| Phil 3:18 | For many, of whom I have often told you...are enemies of the cross of Christ... | Paul weeping over those rejecting Christ. |
| Rom 9:1-3 | I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart for my brothers... | Paul's deep burden for his own people. |
| Luke 19:41-42 | And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it... | Jesus weeping over Jerusalem's unbelief. |
| Psa 42:3 | My tears have been my food day and night... | Constant personal sorrow. |
| Psa 6:6 | I am weary with my groaning; every night I flood my bed with tears... | Extreme personal distress and weeping. |
| 2 Pet 2:7-8 | And rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct... | Lot's vexation by ungodly deeds. |
| Acts 20:31 | ...for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. | Paul's tearful warnings for believers. |
| Rom 12:15 | Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. | Empathy with others' emotions. |
| Psa 119:20 | My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. | Deep yearning for God's law. |
| Matt 5:4 | Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. | Blessings on those who lament over sin/world. |
| 1 Sam 15:35 | And Samuel did not see Saul again before his death, but Samuel grieved... | Prophet's grief over disobedience to God. |
| Joel 2:12 | Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping... | Call to repentance with genuine sorrow. |
| Isa 22:4 | Therefore I said: "Look away from me; let me weep bitterly..." | Profound sorrow over judgment. |
| 2 Cor 7:10 | For godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation... | The nature of righteous grief. |
| James 4:9 | Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning... | Call to godly sorrow over sin. |
| Rev 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd...and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. | Future hope of an end to all sorrow. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 136 Meaning
My eyes shed rivers of tears because people do not keep Your law. The psalmist expresses profound grief and sorrow, to the point of weeping continuously and abundantly, not for personal affliction, but due to the widespread disobedience and disregard for God's divine instruction and moral statutes by others. It reflects a deep devotion to God's word and an empathetic heartache for those who reject His righteous ways.
Psalm 119 136 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem of 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verse in Psalm 119, with very few exceptions, refers to God's word, law, decrees, statutes, precepts, commands, rules, or promises, emphasizing their importance, beauty, and salvific power. This particular verse (136) is part of the 'Ayin (ע) section (verses 129-136). The preceding verses in this section focus on the psalmist's understanding and love for God's testimonies, the light and insight they provide, and the desire for God to look upon him with favor and uphold him. This intense sorrow for others' lawlessness contrasts with his personal commitment to the law and underscores the profound pain felt when God's holiness is violated by human rebellion. The overall context is one of a believer deeply immersed in and committed to the Divine Law, leading to both joy in its keeping and anguish at its disregard by others.
Psalm 119 136 Word analysis
- My eyes shed rivers of tears:
- My eyes: (עֵינַי - ʿênay). 'Ayin (עַיִן) is the Hebrew word for eye, which is also the name of the letter corresponding to this stanza. It suggests direct, visual perception of others' actions leading to an emotional response. The emphasis is on deep, personal emotional distress, as the eyes are a gateway for profound internal feelings to manifest externally.
- shed rivers: (פַּלְגֵי־מַיִם - palgei mayim). Literally "channels/streams of water." This is a strong hyperbole, meaning a torrent or abundance of tears, far beyond mere weeping. It conveys inconsolable, profuse, and continuous lament. This is not a passing tear, but an outpouring of grief akin to a perennial stream.
- of tears: (דִּמְעָה - dimʿah). The specific word for tears, confirming the nature of the "rivers of water."
- because they do not keep Your law:
- because: (כִּי - kî). Indicates the reason or cause for the psalmist's extreme weeping. The cause is external and moral, not personal suffering.
- they: Refers to others, those who surround the psalmist or mankind in general, who demonstrate rebellion against God. This distinguishes the psalmist's personal obedience from the widespread disobedience he observes.
- do not keep: (לֹא שָׁמָרוּ - lō šāmarû). "Have not kept," "have not guarded," "have not observed," "have not obeyed." The verb shamaru (שָׁמַר) implies active attentiveness, careful observance, and guarding something precious. Its negation means a willful neglect, a disregard, or even a defiance of God's instructions.
- Your law: (תּוֹרָתֶךָ - tôrāteḵā). The divine instruction, teaching, or revelation from God. More than just legal statutes, it encompasses God's divine will, His wisdom for living, and His revealed truth for guiding humanity. Its rejection is a rejection of God's perfect way.
Psalm 119 136 Bonus section
This verse demonstrates a key aspect of true spiritual maturity: intercessory grief. It highlights that the most profound pain for a believer can often be witnessing the dishonor done to God through disobedience. This sorrow is distinct from mere sentimentality; it is a catalyst for fervent prayer and, where appropriate, righteous action or lament. The hyperbole "rivers of tears" also ties into the imagery of the letter 'Ayin (ע) itself, which can represent an eye, often weeping in ancient Near Eastern iconography or poetry to signify lament or deep emotional expression.
Psalm 119 136 Commentary
Psalm 119:136 portrays a pinnacle of spiritual devotion: weeping not for one's own sin or suffering, but for the corporate and individual disobedience of others against God's holy law. This profound sorrow stems from an intimate knowledge of and love for God's perfect Torah, recognizing its inherent goodness and the tragic consequences of its neglect. The psalmist's "rivers of tears" indicate an overwhelming, perhaps almost constant, lament. It's an empathetic grief, reflecting a heart aligned with God's own grief over humanity's rebellion. This isn't self-righteous judgment, but rather a burden born of righteous indignation combined with a yearning for God's honor and for others to find life in His commands. It exemplifies a prophetic heart that mourns for a broken world that refuses to walk in the light. Such tears are a mark of true piety, demonstrating a passion for God's glory above personal comfort and a genuine compassion for souls. For example, similar godly sorrow is seen in Ezra, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and even Paul and Jesus himself.