Psalm 119 68

Psalm 119:68 kjv

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Psalm 119:68 nkjv

You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

Psalm 119:68 niv

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:68 esv

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

Psalm 119:68 nlt

You are good and do only good;
teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 68 Meaning

Psalm 119:68 encapsulates a foundational declaration of God's character and an earnest prayer for divine instruction. The verse begins by affirming God's inherent nature as inherently good, stating, "You are good." This is immediately followed by a testimony to His active benevolence, "and do good," recognizing that His actions consistently reflect His perfect nature. Based on this established truth of God's intrinsic and active goodness, the Psalmist then humbly appeals for divine revelation: "teach me Your statutes." This expresses a dependence on God for understanding and guidance in His established laws, recognizing that true comprehension of His divine will requires His direct teaching.

Psalm 119 68 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an extended acrostic poem of 22 sections, each dedicated to one letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 176 verses focuses on a specific aspect of God's Word – His law, statutes, precepts, commands, decrees, testimonies, and promises. Verse 68 falls within the "Yod" section (verses 65-72), which often speaks of God's gracious dealing with the Psalmist despite suffering or affliction, emphasizing trust in God's faithfulness and good character. Historically, such psalms reflected Israel's longing for renewed adherence to God's covenant following periods of unfaithfulness or exile, emphasizing the Word of God as essential for national and individual restoration. The request to be taught statutes is therefore deeply personal, yet reflective of a community's core identity in God's law. It also subtly stands in contrast to any contemporary beliefs that might suggest human self-sufficiency in gaining wisdom or that divine law is arbitrary, affirming instead that God's law is rooted in His perfect goodness.

Psalm 119 68 Word analysis

• You are good (אַתָּה טוֹב, 'Attah Tov):
  • 'Attah (אַתָּה): The Hebrew pronoun "You," emphasizing direct address to God, establishing a personal relationship.
  • Tov (טוֹב): Signifies goodness in its broadest sense—moral perfection, pleasantness, beneficial quality, and rightness. Here, it refers to God's intrinsic essence; His character is pure goodness itself. Its significance is foundational, establishing God's inherent moral perfection.
• and do good (וּמֵטִיב, u-metiv):
  • u- (וּ): Conjunction "and."
  • metiv (מֵטִיב): The Hiphil participle of the verb yatav (יטב), meaning "to be good, to do good, to make good." The Hiphil form emphasizes causality—God is actively causing good, performing acts of goodness, being benevolent. Its significance lies in conveying God's active, demonstrable kindness and beneficial actions towards His creation. His goodness is not passive but dynamic.
• teach me (לַמְּדֵנִי, lammedeni):
  • lammedeni (לַמְּדֵנִי): The Piel imperative of the verb lamad (למד), "to teach" or "to learn." The Piel stem often indicates intensive or causative action. Here, it is an earnest, personal request for instruction, implying more than mere imparting of facts; it seeks deep understanding and transformation. Its significance is a humble admission of dependence on God for spiritual insight and an active desire for personal application.
• your statutes (חֻקֶּיךָ, chuqqekha):
  • chuqqekha (חֻקֶּיךָ): Plural of choq (חֹק), meaning "statute," "ordinance," "decree," "prescribed rule." It refers to God's divine decrees or laws, often seen as firmly fixed or engraved principles. These are His appointed ways, His fixed standards for living. Its significance emphasizes God's sovereign authority and the unchangeable nature of His divine will.

Words-group analysis:

• "You are good and do good": This phrase declares the inseparable nature of God's character and His actions. His intrinsic goodness (essence) flows out into His active benevolence (conduct). This dual declaration serves as the foundational premise for the subsequent request. It conveys trust and assurance that anything God teaches will originate from His perfect nature and be utterly beneficial. It suggests God's inherent goodness is the reason He does good, and both combine to qualify Him as the supreme teacher.
• "teach me your statutes": This is a dependent plea. Because God's nature is perfectly good and He actively performs good deeds, the Psalmist confidently and humbly asks for instruction in God's divine and fixed laws. This is not a casual request but a profound yearning for guidance from the ultimate Source of wisdom. It reflects the understanding that true knowledge of divine truth, leading to a life pleasing to God, requires divine illumination and is not attainable through human effort alone.

Psalm 119 68 Bonus section

• Theocentric Basis: The prayer for understanding begins with an adoration of God, centering the entire request on His character rather than the supplicant's needs alone. This highlights a God-centered perspective, where His attributes are the foundation for our petitions.
• Implied Trust: The statement "You are good and do good" is an expression of deep trust and confidence in God. This trust enables the Psalmist to submit fully to God's instruction, knowing it is always for their benefit.
• Foundation for Learning: The goodness of God is the prerequisite for all meaningful learning about Him and His ways. Without His inherent goodness, His instructions might be arbitrary or self-serving, but because He is good, His statutes are wise and loving.
• Wisdom Beyond Intellect: The request "teach me" suggests a yearning for wisdom and understanding that transcends mere academic or intellectual comprehension. It seeks an internalizing of truth that leads to life transformation and obedience. This wisdom is a gift from God, not something one can achieve purely by human effort.

Psalm 119 68 Commentary

Psalm 119:68 provides a beautiful and profound synthesis of theological truth and human petition. It opens with an adoration of God's essential character: "You are good." This establishes His moral perfection and benevolent disposition as the very fabric of His being. Following this, the Psalmist declares that God also "do[es] good," acknowledging that God's inherent nature consistently expresses itself through His actions towards humanity. His goodness is not a static attribute but an active force demonstrated through His providential care, covenant faithfulness, and gracious provisions. This deep assurance in God's unwavering character and active benevolence forms the secure ground for the prayer that follows: "teach me Your statutes." The request for instruction in God's divine laws reveals a humble recognition that true understanding and faithful living by God's decrees cannot come from human intellect or effort alone. It requires God's direct and illuminating guidance. It implies that because God is good, His laws are inherently good, designed for humanity's flourishing and well-being. Therefore, being taught by Him means being led into a good and righteous path. The verse highlights the intimate connection between knowing God's character and seeking His wisdom; His trustworthiness makes His instruction perfectly reliable and desirable. This ultimately transforms the act of learning into an act of worship and loving dependence on a supremely good God.

• Practical Example: When we find ourselves overwhelmed by moral dilemmas or unsure how to navigate complex life situations, the understanding that God is inherently good and acts for our ultimate good empowers us to turn to His Word and pray for His guidance with confidence. We can trust that His "statutes" will lead us to the best path, just as a loving, wise parent guides a child.