Psalms 119:37
Psalms 119:37 in Multiple Translations
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.
Let my eyes be turned away from what is false; give me life in your ways.
Don't let me focus on things that are worthless. Help me live in your ways.
Turne away mine eies from regarding vanitie, and quicken me in thy way.
Remove mine eyes from seeing vanity, In Thy way quicken Thou me.
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and revive thou me in thy way.
Do not allow me to look at things that are worthless, and allow me to continue to live, like you promised that you would do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:37
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַעֲבֵ֣ר
עֵ֭ינַ/י
מֵ/רְא֣וֹת
שָׁ֑וְא
בִּ/דְרָכֶ֥/ךָ
חַיֵּֽ/נִי
הַעֲבֵ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
עֵ֭ינַ/י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
מֵ/רְא֣וֹת
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
שָׁ֑וְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
vanity
N-ms
בִּ/דְרָכֶ֥/ךָ
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cp | Suff
חַיֵּֽ/נִי
châyâh
H2421
to live
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:37
הַעֲבֵ֣ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
עֵ֭ינַ/י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
מֵ/רְא֣וֹת
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
שָׁ֑וְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
"vanity"
N-ms
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.
בִּ/דְרָכֶ֥/ךָ
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
חַיֵּֽ/נִי
châyâh
H2421
"to live"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff
To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.
Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:37
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:37 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:37
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:37
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:37
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:37
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
- Sermons on Psalms 119:37
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
35Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
36Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
38Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You. 39Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 John 2:16 | For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. |
| 2 | Isaiah 33:15 | He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil— |
| 3 | Proverbs 4:25 | Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. |
| 4 | Numbers 15:39 | These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:28 | But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. |
| 6 | Proverbs 23:5 | When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. |
| 7 | Job 31:1 | “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin? |
| 8 | Psalms 119:40 | How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness. |
| 9 | Psalms 71:20 | Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up. |
| 10 | Joshua 7:21 | When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” |
Psalms 119:37 Summary
This verse is asking God to help us stop looking at things that don't matter and to focus on His word instead, which gives us life and helps us to see things clearly, as in Psalms 119:105. It's like asking God to help us take our eyes off the TV or our phones and to focus on Him, so we can be renewed and refreshed, like in Jeremiah 15:16. By turning away from worthless things and focusing on God's word, we can experience His presence and power in our lives, as in John 15:7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to turn my eyes away from worthless things?
This means to intentionally avoid focusing on things that have no eternal value, such as worldly desires or sinful habits, and instead fix our gaze on God and His word, as encouraged in Psalms 101:3 and Matthew 6:22-23.
How can God's word revive me?
God's word has the power to revive and transform us, as seen in Psalms 19:7-11, by giving us new life, hope, and direction, and by helping us to see things from God's perspective, as in Romans 12:2.
What is the relationship between turning away from worthless things and being revived by God's word?
Turning away from worthless things and being revived by God's word are closely linked, as seen in this verse, because when we stop focusing on things that distract us from God, we can focus on His word, which brings us life and renewal, as in Jeremiah 15:16 and John 17:17.
How can I apply this verse to my daily life?
You can apply this verse by being mindful of what you focus on and intentionally choosing to focus on God's word and His presence, rather than on worldly things, as encouraged in Colossians 3:2 and Hebrews 12:2.
Reflection Questions
- What are some worthless things that I tend to focus on, and how can I turn my eyes away from them?
- In what ways do I need to be revived by God's word, and what steps can I take to prioritize His word in my life?
- How does my focus on God's word affect my daily choices and actions, and what changes can I make to align my life with His word?
- What are some ways that I can practically apply the truths of this verse to my relationships, work, and other areas of my life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,.... As the things of this world, the riches, honours, and pleasures of it, which are all vanity and vexation of spirit; and yet these catch the eye, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
Vanity; the vain things and lusts of this present evil world, such as riches, honours, pleasures; from beholding them, to wit, with admiration and inordinate affection; for such a sight of the eyes doth usually affect the heart, and stir up men’ s lusts and passions; of which see 23:5,6 Matthew 5:28 Quicken thou me in thy way; as I desire that I may be dull and dead in afflictions to worldly vanities; so, Lord, make me lively, and vigorous, and fervent in thy work and service.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
Psalms 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.Ver. 37. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity] Lest looking cause liking and lusting, 1 John 2:16. In Hebrew the same word signifieth both an eye and a fountain; to show that from the eye, as from a fountain, floweth much mischief and by that window Satan oft winds himself into the soul. This David found by experience, and therefore prays here, Turn away, transfer, make to pass mine eyes, 2 Samuel 11:12. Job steppeth one degree farther, viz. from a prayer to a vow, Psalms 31:1; yea, from a vow to an inprecation, Psalms 119:7. He knew the danger of irregular glancing and inordinate gazing. And quicken thou me in thy way] Who shall else die of the wound in the eye. Alexander called the Persian maids Oculorum dolores; Ut vidi, ut perii. Grief of the eyes so that to be seen is to be ruined. The Israelites were appointed to make them fringes with blue ribbons to lock upon, that they might remember all God’ s commandments and do them, and not seek after their own heart and their own eyes, after which they used to go a whoring, Numbers 15:39.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
(37) From beholding vanity.—Perhaps from looking on idols.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
Verse 37. From beholding vanity] An idol, worldly pleasure, beauty, finery; any thing that is vain, empty, or transitory. Let me not behold it; let me not dwell upon it. Let me remember Achan: he saw, - he coveted, - he took, - he hid his theft, and was slain for his sin.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:37
37. vanity includes all that is false, unreal, worthless. Cp. 1 John 2:15-17. in thy way] So the LXX. The Heb. text as pointed reads in thy ways. He prays to God the author of life for vigour to resist temptation and walk in His ways. “’Tis life, whereof our nerves are scant, Oh life, not death, for which we pant, More life, and fuller, that I want.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity - Vain things; wicked things; things which would be likely to lead me astray from what is real and true. Compare Isaiah 33:15; Job 31:1.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:37
ä, He.33-40. Teach me… thy statutes—The trouble has passed, and entrance upon active and responsible life is contemplated. The writer sees the form of knowledge and of truth in the law.
Sermons on Psalms 119:37
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Deadly Look by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of the eye gate and how easily it can be manipulated in today's technologically advanced world. He highlights the three spiritual |
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Getting Used to the Dark (Alternate) by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the destructive trends in society, particularly in the behavior of children. He emphasizes the importance of self-assertiveness and discipline |
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Personal Holiness - Part 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of taking resolute action and exercising strict control over certain aspects of our lives. He specifically mentions the need t |
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What Do People Need From Their Pastors Today? by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the importance of spreading a passion for the centrality and supremacy of God into people's lives, highlighting the negative influences of consumerism, mater |
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Living for Generations to Come by Scott Volk | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his failure to address certain topics during his recent services. He shares his personal challenges and confesses that he will change his be |
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Responding to Mercy by Jason Neil | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the greatness and marvelous works of the Lord, as mentioned in Revelation 15:3-4. The sermon then focuses on the proper response to God's go |
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No Room for Vanity and Pride by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the fleeting nature of human achievements and the vanity of worldly success, drawing from Psalms 39 and the story of King Nebuchadnezzar. It highlights the i |