Psalms 119:18
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 119:18
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just a request for clarity; the psalmist is asking God to uncover his eyes, implying a spiritual veil that sin and ignorance place over our understanding. He's not just asking to "see" the Law, but to behold its hidden wonders, the profound mysteries and Christological significance that are invisible to the natural eye without divine illumination.
This verse is part of a prayer for deeper understanding of God's Word, following a plea for God's generous blessing to sustain the psalmist's life and commitment to obedience. The psalmist acknowledges that the "wondrous things" within God's law aren't immediately obvious and require divine illumination, a plea that sets the stage for the rest of this extensive psalm which explores the beauty and depth of God's commands.
Ever feel like you're reading Scripture but not truly understanding it? Like there's something hidden just beyond your grasp?
This verse kicks off with a powerful prayer: 'Open my eyes.' The ancient writers understood that our natural state is one of spiritual blindness. It’s like a veil covering our eyes, not because the words are difficult, but because our understanding is darkened by sin and ignorance. We need God Himself to remove that veil and illuminate our minds. It’s not about having a better commentary; it’s about divine intervention. God has to do the opening, allowing us to see the spiritual truths hidden within His Word.
When we think of 'the law,' do we imagine dusty rules, or something more profound and awe-inspiring?
The psalmist asks to see 'wondrous things' out of his law. This isn't just about following commandments; it's about discovering the incredible depth, wisdom, and goodness packed into God's revealed will. The 'law' here can encompass everything from the foundational teachings of Moses to the deeper doctrines of God’s grace and the person of Christ. These aren't surface-level truths; they are 'marvellous depths' and profound mysteries that reveal God’s heart and His plan for humanity, especially pointing toward Jesus. Without God's spiritual sight, we miss these treasures.
Understand the original words
nabat · Hebrew Verb
To see, witness, or experience; in a spiritual sense, it denotes perception through revelation, where God enables the heart to understand truth that is otherwise hidden.
pele' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Remarkable, extraordinary, or miraculous acts or truths; things that exceed normal human perception or capability and point toward the majesty of God.
torah · Hebrew Noun
The instruction or teaching of God; it refers to the entire body of divine revelation that provides the standard for living in covenant relationship with Him.
This passage directly echoes the prayer in Psalm 119:18, stating that God is the one who shines light into our hearts, giving us the knowledge and understanding to see the glory of God, much like the psalmist's request to see 'wondrous things' in God's law.
Matthew 13:10-16Jesus explains to His disciples why He speaks in parables, noting that seeing and hearing are gifts from God. This connects to the psalmist's plea, as it highlights that spiritual understanding isn't automatic but requires divine opening of our 'eyes' and 'ears' to grasp deeper truths.
Ephesians 1:17-18The Apostle Paul prays for believers to receive a 'spirit of wisdom and revelation' so their 'eyes of understanding' are opened. This parallels the psalmist's desire to see the 'wondrous things' in God's law, emphasizing the need for God's illumination to truly comprehend His Word.
1 Corinthians 2:14This verse states that the natural person cannot accept or understand spiritual truths because they are spiritually discerned. This reinforces the prayer in Psalm 119:18, as it underscores why the psalmist must ask God to open his eyes; without divine help, the profound wonders within God's law remain hidden.
gillPsalms 119:18: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Open thou mine eyes,.... The eyes of my heart or understanding, as Kimchi; or, "reveal mine eyes" (t); take off the veil from them: there is a veil of darkness and ignorance on the hearts of all men, with respect to divine and spiritual things; their understandings are darkened, yea, darkness itself. This veil must be removed; the scales must drop from their eyes; their eyes must be opened and enlightened, b…
pulpitPsalms 119:18: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Verse 18. - Open thou mine eyes. Since the Fall, men's eyes are naturally blinded, or, at any rate, have a veil over them, which God must remove before they can see clearly (compare the comment on ver. 15). That I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. Wonderful spiritual truths that lie hidden, even under the very simplest precepts of God's Law (comp. Matthew 5:21-37).
This isn't just a request for clarity; the psalmist is asking God to uncover his eyes, implying a spiritual veil that sin and ignorance place over our understanding. He's not just asking to "see" the Law, but to behold its hidden wonders, the profound mysteries and Christological significance that are invisible to the natural eye without divine illumination.
This verse is part of a prayer for deeper understanding of God's Word, following a plea for God's generous blessing to sustain the psalmist's life and commitment to obedience. The psalmist acknowledges that the "wondrous things" within God's law aren't immediately obvious and require divine illumination, a plea that sets the stage for the rest of this extensive psalm which explores the beauty and depth of God's commands.
This verse is part of a prayer for deeper understanding of God's Word, following a plea for God's generous blessing to sustain the psalmist's life and commitment to obedience. The psalmist acknowledges that the "wondrous things" within God's law aren't immediately obvious and require divine illumination, a plea that sets the stage for the rest of this extensive psalm which explores the beauty and depth of God's commands.
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"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." — This isn't just a request for clarity; the psalmist is asking God to uncover his eyes, implying a spiritual veil that sin and ignorance place over our understanding. He's not just asking to "see" t…