Psalm 119:18 kjv
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Psalm 119:18 nkjv
Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Psalm 119:18 niv
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 esv
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Psalm 119:18 nlt
Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
Psalm 119 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 119:34 | Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law... | Prayer for understanding |
| Ps 119:73 | Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments. | God's creative power linked to spiritual insight |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's Word as guidance and light |
| Ps 19:7-11 | The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul... | Perfection and benefit of God's Law |
| Is 29:10 | For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes... | Spiritual blindness as divine judgment |
| Is 42:7 | to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon... | God opens spiritual eyes |
| Is 60:1 | Arise, shine, for your light has come... | Light of God illuminating His people |
| Jer 31:33 | ...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts... | New Covenant internalizing the Law |
| Mt 13:16 | But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear! | Disciples' blessed spiritual perception |
| Lk 24:45 | Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. | Christ opens understanding of Scripture |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory... | Christ as the embodied Word and God's glory |
| Jn 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world...” | Christ as spiritual light |
| Acts 16:14 | ...the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. | God's grace enabling receptivity to the Word |
| Acts 26:18 | ...to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light... | Apostolic mission to open blind eyes |
| 1 Cor 2:10-14 | ...these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit... | Holy Spirit as revealer of divine truths |
| 2 Cor 3:14-16 | For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted... | Veil over understanding removed by Christ |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | ...the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers... | Satan's role in spiritual blindness |
| 2 Cor 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. | God's illuminating power in hearts |
| Eph 1:17-18 | ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened... | Prayer for spiritual revelation and wisdom |
| Col 1:9-10 | ...praying for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding... | Prayer for comprehensive spiritual wisdom |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Asking God for wisdom freely given |
| Rev 3:18 | ...buy from Me eye salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. | Divine remedy for spiritual blindness |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 18 Meaning
Psalm 119:18 is a fervent prayer for divine illumination. The psalmist requests God to grant spiritual sight, enabling him to deeply understand and marvel at the profound and astonishing truths contained within God's revealed Law (Torah). It is an acknowledgment that human understanding alone is insufficient to grasp the inherent beauty, wisdom, and miraculous nature of God's Word, and thus requires supernatural unveiling.
Psalm 119 18 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a majestic acrostic poem devoted entirely to the Word of God. Each of its 22 stanzas, corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, contains eight verses, all of which use one of the numerous synonyms for God's Law or instruction. Verse 18 is part of the 'Gimel' (ג) section (vv. 17-24). In this stanza, the psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's mercy and spiritual insight, demonstrating his complete dependence on God to truly grasp the depths of the divine precepts. The broader historical context understands "Your Law" (Torah) not just as commandments, but as the comprehensive revelation of God's character, will, and covenant with Israel, intended for their flourishing and guidance in life. This psalm reflects a profound devotion to the Law as a source of life, joy, and wisdom.
Psalm 119 18 Word analysis
- "Open" (גַּלּה – gallah / galâ): This is an imperative verb meaning "uncover," "reveal," "unveil." It signifies an act of divine intervention, suggesting that spiritual truths are veiled or hidden from natural human perception. It implies that the human spirit needs an external, supernatural action to perceive divine things, akin to removing a covering from something concealed.
- "my eyes" (עֵינַי – ‘ênay): While literally referring to physical eyes, in this context, it metaphorically refers to spiritual understanding, discernment, and perception. It's the capacity of the inner being to comprehend divine truths.
- "that I may behold" (וְאַבִּיטָה – wə’abbîṭāh): This conjunctive consecutive with the imperfect indicates purpose ("so that I may see" or "that I may gaze intently"). It's more than a casual glance; it implies a deep, appreciative, and meditative observation, leading to profound comprehension and possibly wonder or adoration. It denotes active engagement once the divine enablement is given.
- "wondrous things" (נִפְלָאוֹת – nipla’ôt): The plural of pele’ (פֶּלֶא), meaning "wonders," "marvels," "miraculous deeds," or "extraordinary things." In the Old Testament, this term often refers to God's mighty acts of deliverance, creation, and judgment that evoke astonishment (e.g., the Exodus miracles). Here, it is applied specifically to the Torah itself, implying that God's Law is not merely a dry list of rules, but contains astonishing depths, divine wisdom, hidden mysteries, and profound revelations of God's character and purposes that are themselves marvelous and evoke awe.
- "out of Your law" (מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ – mittôrāṯeḵā): Torah (תּוֹרָה) broadly means "instruction," "teaching," or "law." In Psalm 119, it encompasses all aspects of God's revealed will, including His statutes, precepts, commands, judgments, and testimonies. The "wondrous things" are inherently present "in" or "from" the Law, not something external added to it. They spring from the very essence and divine origin of the revelation.
- "Open my eyes": This phrase emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention for spiritual discernment. Without God's direct act of revealing, human beings are spiritually blind to the deeper truths of His Word. It reflects human inadequacy in the face of divine mystery.
- "wondrous things out of Your law": This highlights the intrinsic divine nature of God's Law. It's not just a moral code, but a deep reservoir of God's amazing character, redemptive plan, and glorious wisdom. The "wonders" within it can only be seen through God's empowering Spirit. This concept challenges any mundane view of Scripture.
Psalm 119 18 Bonus section
The concept of a "veil" obscuring spiritual understanding, and God needing to "open eyes," is a powerful theme found throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, even Moses' face had to be veiled because the Israelites could not bear the glory reflecting from it (Ex 34:33-35). The New Testament expounds on this, particularly in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, where it's stated that a "veil" remains over the minds of those who read the Old Covenant without turning to Christ. The prayer in Psalm 119:18, therefore, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the Living Word, who truly unveils the mysteries of God, enabling believers to behold His glory and understand the true purpose and depth of the Law in light of His redemptive work. The Law points to Him, and He opens our understanding of the Law.
Psalm 119 18 Commentary
Psalm 119:18 is a timeless and essential prayer for anyone seeking to engage deeply with God's Word. It encapsulates the humble realization that true understanding of divine revelation does not come from intellectual prowess alone, but from a supernatural enabling by God. The "wondrous things" in His Law are not merely intricate theological concepts but revelations of God's character, His purposes for humanity, and the depths of His love and wisdom, which surpass natural human comprehension. To behold these wonders is to experience the Law not as a burden of rules but as a living spring of spiritual delight and life-transforming truth. This prayer acknowledges a spiritual veil that only God can lift, inviting us to approach Scripture with humility, expectation, and an earnest cry for the Holy Spirit to illuminate its divine essence. Practically, it encourages a disciplined spiritual life that combines earnest study with consistent prayer for illumination before and during reading the Scriptures. For example, before reading the Bible, one might briefly pray, "Lord, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things from Your Word today." Or when a passage seems obscure, one could pause and sincerely ask God for understanding, trusting that He desires to reveal His truths.