Psalm 119:72 kjv
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Psalm 119:72 nkjv
The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Psalm 119:72 niv
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Psalm 119:72 esv
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalm 119:72 nlt
Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
Psalm 119 72 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 19:10 | More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. | God's law more desirable than gold. |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. | Delight in God's law. |
| Pr 3:13-15 | Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. | Wisdom's value over silver and gold. |
| Pr 8:10-11 | Choose my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than jewels, and all desirable things cannot compare with her. | God's instruction preferred to riches. |
| Pr 16:16 | How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. | Wisdom better than gold and understanding than silver. |
| Pr 28:6 | Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in his ways, though he be rich. | Integrity (tied to God's ways) superior to wealth without it. |
| Isa 55:1 | "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." | Spiritual nourishment obtained freely, not with money. |
| Jer 15:16 | Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart... | Eating God's Word brings joy. |
| Hab 3:17-18 | Though the fig tree should not blossom...yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. | Rejoicing in God above material prosperity. |
| Mt 6:19-21 | Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. | Heavenly treasures preferred over earthly. |
| Lk 12:15 | Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. | Life not defined by material abundance. |
| Php 3:7-8 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. | Worldly gain as loss compared to knowing Christ. |
| Heb 11:26 | He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. | Moses valued Christ's reproach over Egypt's riches. |
| 1 Tim 6:6-10 | But godliness with contentment is great gain...For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Godliness with contentment greater than wealth pursuit. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise... | Faith is more precious than perishable gold. |
| Job 28:15-19 | Gold and glass cannot be compared with it, nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. | Wisdom's incomparable value over all gems and gold. |
| Ps 40:8 | I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. | Delight in doing God's will. |
| Josh 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night...for then you will make your way prosperous... | Meditating on God's law leads to true prosperity. |
| Jn 6:63 | It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. | Jesus' words are spiritual life. |
| 2 Cor 4:18 | as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. | Prioritizing eternal spiritual over temporal material. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 72 Meaning
Psalm 119:72 declares that the divine instruction revealed directly from God is far more precious and valuable to the Psalmist than vast quantities of the most coveted material wealth, specifically gold and silver. It is a profound statement of priorities, asserting the immeasurable superiority of God's Word over all earthly riches.
Psalm 119 72 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem entirely devoted to exalting God's Word, which is referred to by various synonyms like law (torah), statutes, precepts, commandments, testimonies, and judgments. Each of the 22 stanzas (corresponding to the Hebrew alphabet) focuses on a specific aspect of the Psalmist's love, delight, meditation, and obedience to God's instruction, often set against the backdrop of affliction and opposition. Verse 72 appears in the Yodh (י) section, where the Psalmist has just affirmed God's righteous judgments and recognized affliction as a means to learn God's statutes (vv. 70-71). This immediately precedes the declaration that the "law of Your mouth" holds ultimate value, implying that even in suffering, the Word's worth shines brightest, offering solace, wisdom, and eternal perspective beyond temporary worldly gain. Historically, ancient societies, including Israel, highly esteemed gold and silver as primary measures of wealth, power, and security. The Psalmist's statement is a direct and bold counter-cultural declaration, elevating spiritual truth above material abundance.
Psalm 119 72 Word analysis
- The law (תּוֹרָה - Torah): While often translated as "law," Torah encompasses a broader meaning in Hebrew, referring to divine instruction, teaching, or guidance. It's not just a set of rules but the entire body of God's revelation and will for humanity. In Psalm 119, Torah is presented as the foundational truth for life.
- of Your mouth (פִּיךָ - pîka): This phrase emphasizes the direct, personal, and authoritative origin of the "law." It highlights that these are not human concepts or philosophies but words directly spoken, breathed out, and revealed by God Himself. This signifies God's direct communication with His people and the ultimate authority of His instruction.
- is better (טוֹב - ṭôv): The Hebrew word ṭôv means good, pleasant, prosperous, or superior. Here, it conveys an absolute sense of superiority in quality, worth, and benefit. The Psalmist perceives the Word's goodness and value as intrinsically higher and more satisfying.
- to me (לִי - lî): This personal pronoun stresses the Psalmist's subjective experience and conviction. It is not merely an objective theological statement but a deeply personal confession of his internal valuation and preference. His heart cherishes God's law above all else.
- than thousands (מֵאֲלָפֵי - mêʾalefēy): The prefix "mê-" indicates "from" or "than," denoting comparison. ʾAlāphim means "thousands," indicating a massive, perhaps hyperbolic, quantity. It represents an immense amount, emphasizing the overwhelming disparity in value.
- of gold and silver (זָהָב וָכֶסֶף - zāhāv wāḵeseph): These are the quintessential symbols of wealth, prestige, and worldly security in ancient Near Eastern cultures, and throughout the Bible. They represent the peak of earthly desire and accumulated possessions. The mention of both underscores a comprehensive representation of material riches.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The law of Your mouth": This phrase combines God's comprehensive instruction with its divine origin, signifying not merely written precepts but living, spoken, authoritative truth that guides life. It underscores the direct, intimate nature of God's revelation to humanity.
- "is better to me": This establishes the deeply personal and experiential nature of the statement. The Psalmist isn't just making a theological assertion but confessing a heart-felt preference, illustrating a spiritual taste for divine truth that surpasses carnal appetites. This internal preference implies deep satisfaction and fulfillment found in God's word.
- "than thousands of gold and silver": This sets up the ultimate contrast, pitting the greatest earthly material value against the divine. The immense quantity ("thousands") emphasizes that even the sum total of all material prosperity pales in comparison to the qualitative worth of God's revealed will. This is a rejection of material idolatry and an affirmation of true, lasting riches.
Psalm 119 72 Bonus section
- The profound statement in Psalm 119:72 goes beyond mere intellectual assent; it reflects a transformed heart that genuinely values spiritual treasure above all earthly goods. This conviction often arises from experiencing the Word's truth and sufficiency during times of difficulty (as hinted at in the preceding verses) where material wealth offers no comfort.
- This verse serves as a powerful polemic against the pervasive human tendency towards materialism and covetousness, challenges found throughout biblical narratives and prophets' messages. It stands in stark contrast to cultures (both ancient and modern) that often define success and well-being by economic prosperity.
- The Psalmist's unwavering preference for "the law of Your mouth" implies a rejection of human-made laws, traditions, or wisdom when they diverge from God's revelation. It underscores the absolute authority of the Creator's words for His creation.
- "Thousands of gold and silver" are perishable and can bring worry or fleeting joy, whereas "the law of Your mouth" offers eternal wisdom, spiritual comfort, and true peace that transcends circumstances. It points to a radical reordering of priorities, where the eternal spiritual realm takes precedence over the temporal material world.
Psalm 119 72 Commentary
Psalm 119:72 encapsulates a central biblical truth: God's Word possesses intrinsic worth that utterly dwarfs all earthly wealth. It’s not simply a preferential statement but a declaration of spiritual economics, where divine wisdom is valued as immeasurably superior to temporal riches. The phrase "law of Your mouth" points to the personal and direct nature of God's revelation, underscoring its authoritative and life-giving essence. The Psalmist isn't just saying he prefers spiritual things; he's proclaiming that in every quantifiable way, the living Word of God offers greater satisfaction, security, and eternal blessing than the pursuit or possession of any amount of gold and silver. This verse calls believers to examine their deepest values and prioritize intimacy with God through His Word over the allure of material gain, understanding that true life and lasting contentment are found only in divine truth. Practically, this means making choices like dedicating time to Scripture study over endless pursuit of more income, or finding contentment in God's provision even amidst scarcity, rather than yearning for worldly affluence.