Psalms 119:125 — Word Study
WLCעַבְדְּךָ־ אָ֥נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
BSAIʼănîy [your humble servant, one who serves you] am Your servantʻebed give me understandingbîyn [grant me, enable me to have, discernment, wisdom to know] that I may knowyâdaʻ [learn, perceive, ascertain by seeing] Your testimoniesʻêdâh [divine witness, unchanging word, instructions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| עַבְדְּךָ־ | [am] servant your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| אָ֥נִי | I | Pronoun |
| הֲבִינֵ֑נִי | give understanding me | Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה | so let me know | Conjunction, verb qal infinitive construct first person common singular |
| עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | testimonies your | Noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. |
| KJV | I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. |
| ASV | I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies. |
| YLT | Thy servant [am] I — cause me to understand, And I know Thy testimonies. |
| WEB | I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies. |
| BBE | I am your servant; give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your unchanging word. |
All translations agree on the meaning of the verse.
The verse consists of a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses that express a request and its purpose.






7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Trapp, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲנִי
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:125
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Prayer for Understandinggenerated
Psalm 119:125 is part of a larger meditation on the psalmist's relationship with God and His laws. The psalmist expresses his identity as a servant of God and seeks understanding to better comprehend God's testimonies. This verse highlights the importance of divine insight in living according to God's will, as seen in the surrounding verses that emphasize God's loving devotion and commandments.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:94 | I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. |
| 2 | Psalm 86:16 | Turn to me and have mercy; grant Your strength to Your servant; save the son of Your maidservant. |
| 3 | Psalm 116:16 | Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds. |
| 4 | Romans 6:22 | But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. |
| 5 | Psalm 119:34–66 | Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עַבְדְּךָ־, 'av.de.kha-generated
The word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'servant' or 'slave', and it reflects a range of roles including that of a servant to God or a human master. In this context, it emphasizes the psalmist's humble position as a servant of the Lord, indicating dedication and submission.
The parsing as a noun in the singular construct form shows that it is a specific reference to the psalmist's role. This word often denotes a person in service, particularly in a religious context, indicating a relationship of dependence and loyalty.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the verse, conveying the psalmist's plea for understanding as a servant of God.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around the finite verb הֲבִינֵ֑נִי, give me understanding, which governs the request for knowledge. The subject is the psalmist, and two clauses follow: one requesting understanding and the other expressing the desire to know God's testimonies.
The word order emphasizes the psalmist's identity as a servant, placing it at the beginning, which highlights his humble position and sets the tone for the request that follows.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד is rendered as σού, which maintains the servant theme but can imply a broader sense of belonging to God. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the servant's role in relation to divine authority.
The verb הֲבִינֵ֑נִי corresponds to με, indicating a direct request for understanding, which aligns closely with the Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:125 shows the psalmist asking God for understanding so he can know God's testimonies. He identifies himself as God's servant, emphasizing his desire to learn and follow God's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being a servant of God implies a relationship of submission and dedication to God's will, often involving a commitment to follow His commandments.
Understanding is essential for the psalmist to know and follow God's testimonies, which guide his life and actions.
This verse reflects the overarching theme of Psalm 119, which emphasizes the importance of God's laws and the desire for wisdom to follow them.
The psalmist's request teaches us the value of seeking God's guidance and understanding in our lives, recognizing our dependence on Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I identify myself as a servant of God in my daily life?
- How can I seek understanding of God's word more actively?
- What steps can I take to better know and follow God's testimonies?
- How does understanding God's instructions impact my relationship with Him?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers such as Augustine of Hippo reference this verse to discuss the need for divine understanding in following God's commands.
"I am Your servant. O grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies" [Psalms 119:125]. This petition must never be intermitted.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
There has to be a distinction between the law and grace. The law knows how to command; grace, how to help. The law would not command if there were no free will, nor would grace help if the will were sufficient.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
The blessed David asks the Lord for that very understanding by which he can recognize God’s commands, which he well knew were written in the book of the law,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:125 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI [am] thy servant,.... Not only by creation, but by grace; and as he had a work to do, he desires to know what it was; and as it was proper he should know his Master's will, he applies to him for
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:125 I [am] thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.Ver. 125. I am thy servant, give me understanding] I have voluntarily hired myself unto thee, chosen the things that please thee, and taken hold of the covenant, loving to be thy servant, Isaiah 56:4; Isaiah 56:6. Now, this is all the wages I crave of thee, "Give me understanding," &c. This David speaketh, saith one, in a real and heavenly complement with his Maker. That I may know thy testimonies] Work done in the dark must be undone again; David, therefore, would fully know his Master’ s mind, that he might acceptably do it.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 125. I am thy servant] See on Psalms 119:94.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges121–128. Ayin. It is time for Jehovah to interpose on behalf of His servant, but the faithlessness of men only confirms his love for the law.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleI am thy servant - See the notes at Psalms 116:16. Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies - Since I am thy servant, instruct me in the knowledge of thy will.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleò, Ayin.121-128. Leave me not to mine oppressors—Let “him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Such is the line of thought in this division. In the pressure of evil the strongest has feelings of weakness.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
I am your servant. Give me insight, so that I can understand your rules.
Tyndale line
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I am thy servant; give me understanding, That I may know thy testimonies.
I am thy servant, give me understanding; that I may know thy testimonies.
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I am thy seruant: graunt mee therefore vnderstanding, that I may knowe thy testimonies.
Strictly literal
I am thy servant; give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.
Thy servant [am] I — cause me to understand, And I know Thy testimonies.
I [am] Your servant—cause me to understand, || And I know Your testimonies.
I am thy servant: give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I am your servant; give me understanding so that I may know your covenant decrees.
Simplified
I am your servant. Please give me discernment so I can understand your instructions.
I am your servant; give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your unchanging word.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all five words matched in the Hebrew and Greek versions. This consistency underscores the shared understanding of the psalmist's plea for divine insight.
עַבְדְּךָ־ אָ֥נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:125
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word עֶ֫בֶד (*ebed*) means 'slave' or 'servant' and encompasses various roles, including household servants, subjects, and worshippers of God. It can also refer to Israel as a collective servant of God and is used in polite address among equals. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to work' or 'to serve'.
עֶ֫בֶד 799 n.m. slave, servant
slave, servant of household
Subjects, of chief
Servants, worshippers of God
Servant of י׳, in a special sense
Israel as a people is servant of י׳
In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
Phrases
base
H5650 עֶ֫בֶד slave, servant . slave, servant of household
. Subjects, of chief
. Servants, worshippers of God
. Servant of י׳, in a special sense
. Israel as a people is servant of י׳
. In polite address of equals or superiors the Hebrews used עַבְדְּךָ thy servant = 1 pers. sing., I
. Phrases
5650 `ebed eh'-bed
from 5647; a servant:--X bondage, bondman, (bond-)servant,
(man-)servant.
see HEBREW for 05647
עֶ֫בֶד (e.ved) — servant/slave.
1) slave, servant
1a) slave, servant, man-servant
1b) subjects
1c) servants, worshippers (of God)
1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc)
1e) servant (of Israel)
1f) servant (as form of address between equals)
Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
אֲנִי, transliterated as aniy, is a first-person singular pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' It is often used for emphasis and can also imply possession, as in 'mine' or 'myself.' The word is derived from a form that indicates self-reference, and it appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי pron. 1s. comm. I
base
H589 אֲנִי, אָ֑נִי I
589 'aniy an-ee'
contracted from 595; I:--I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, X
which, X who.
see HEBREW for 0595
אֲנִי (a.ni) — I.
I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Pron — PronounHPp1bs
בִּין (biyn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to discern or understand. It encompasses a range of meanings including perceiving, considering, and teaching, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being intelligent or discreet. The entries highlight its use in contexts requiring mental separation or insight, but do not present any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
בִּין vb. discern
Qal
perceive
understand, know (with mind)
observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
have discernment, insight, understanding
Niph. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
Po. he attentively considereth him
Hiph.
understand
give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
give understanding, make understand, teach
Hithp.
shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
get understanding, understand
shew oneself to have understanding
base
H995 בִּין discern .. perceive
. understand, know (with mind)
. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention)
. have discernment, insight, understanding
. be intelligent, discreet, discerning, distinguish, have understanding
. he attentively considereth him
. . understand
. give heed to, attend to, observe, discern
. give understanding, make understand, teach
. . shew oneself attentive, consider diligently
. get understanding, understand
. shew oneself to have understanding
995 biyn bene
a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish),
i.e.(generally) understand:--attend, consider, be cunning,
diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct,
have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be
prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
בִּין (bin) — to understand.
1) to discern, understand, consider
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to perceive, discern
1a2) to understand, know (with the mind)
1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider
1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding
1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to understand
1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach
1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently
1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct
2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb hiphil imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVhv2ms/Sp1bs
יָדַע (yada`) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to know,' encompassing a wide range of senses including perception, recognition, and experience. It can refer to knowing someone intimately or being skilled in a task. The word has various forms, indicating actions such as making known or being made known. Lexicons note its use in both literal and figurative contexts, but there is no significant disagreement among them.
יָדַע 943 vb. know
Qal
know, learn to know
perceive
perceive and see; find out and discern
discriminate, distinguish
know by experience
recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
consider
not know = not expect
know a person, be acquainted with
know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
be skilful in
abs. have knowledge, be wise
Niph.
be made known, be or become known, of things
make oneself known of pers.
be perceived
be instructed
Pi. cause to know
Pu. known
Hiph. make known, declare
Hoph. made known
Hithp. make oneself known
base
H3045 יָדַע know .. . know, learn to know
. perceive
. perceive and see; find out and discern
. discriminate, distinguish
. know by experience
. recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
. consider
. not know = not expect
. know a person, be acquainted with
. know a person carnally, of sexual intercourse
. . know how, to do a thing, be able to do it
. be skilful in
. abs. have knowledge, be wise
. . be made known, be or become known, of things
. make oneself known of pers.
. be perceived
. be instructed
. cause to know
. known
. make known, declare
. made known
. make oneself known
3045 yada` yaw-dah'
a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing);
used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally,
euphemistically and inferentially (including observation,
care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation,
punishment, etc.) (as follow):--acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted
with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware,
(un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X
could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to)
discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel,
can have, be (ig-)norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause
to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have
(knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be
learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X
prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man
of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell,
יָדַע (ya.da) — to know.
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
1b2) to make oneself known
1b3) to be perceived
1b4) to be instructed
1c) (Piel) to cause to know
1d) (Poal) to cause to know
1e) (Pual)
1e1) to be known
1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
1g) (Hophal) to be made known
1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Conj | V-Qal-1cs — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive construct first person common singularHC/Vqc1cs
עֵדָה (edah) refers to 'testimony' or 'witness' and is noted for being used only in the plural form in the context of divine testimonies. It is derived from the feminine form of another Hebrew word, עֵד (ed), which also relates to witness. The entries consistently emphasize its technical sense in legal and religious contexts.
עֵדָה n.f. testimony, witness
base
[עֵדָה] n.f. only pl. MT testimonies
base
H5713a עֵדָה testimony, witness H5713b עֵדָה only pl. MT testimonies
5713 `edah ay-daw'
feminine of 5707 in its techn. sense; testimony:--
testimony, witness. Compare 5712.
see HEBREW for 05707
see HEBREW for 05712
עֵדָה (e.dah) — witness.
testimony, witness
עֵדָה (e.dah) — testimony.
always plural and always of laws as divine testimonies
N-fp | Suff — Noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHNcfpc/Sp2ms
