Psalm 119:18 - Prayer Needed for Effective Bible Study.

CONTENT

Psa. 119:18; Prayer Needed for Effective Bible Study.

Psa 119:18 (KJV)  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold 
wondrous things out of thy law. 

Psa 119:18 (CEV)  Open my mind and let me discover the wonders 
of your Law. 

Psa 119:18 (TLB)  Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your 
Word. 

Definition of Key Terms
Some eight different Hebrew synonyms are used in referring to 
Scripture. These are: 
Dabar ("word"), a general term for any form of divine revelation.
Torah ("law"), a teaching, indicating a single command, the 
Books of Moses, or all of Scripture. 
Piqqudim ("precepts"), detailed instructions given by God as 
guardian of His people. 
Huqqim ("statutes"), binding laws engraved on a permanent record.
Mispatim ("ordinances"), judgments made by God, containing God's 
judgments concerning man's rights and duties. 
Miswot ("commandments"), orders given by competent authority.
'Edot ("testimonies"), vivid and unmistakable witnesses to man 
of God's will. 
'Imra ("promise"), a term often translated "word," suggesting 
the trustworthiness of divine truth in any form. 
Together these words form a clear picture of the Scriptures. 
They are God's authoritative Word, in which we can have complete 
confidence, and through which we learn to trust God and to live a life 
characterized by godliness. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

The often-used term "law" has the idea of teaching, direction, 
or instruction. The law is the gracious revelation of what God 
wants in order for believers to have fellowship with him. It reveals 
who he is. [New Bible Companion] 

Open: "to uncover," "to reveal." [SDA Commentary]

Wonderful things: Usually ascribed to God's redeeming acts--but 
God's law contains matters just as wonderful. [NIV SB] 

CONTEXT

Psalm 119 The Word of God
Psalm 119 The Law of the Lord

Psalm 119 A Torah psalm, an alphabetical psalm: It consists of 
twenty-two stanzas corresponding successively to the letters in the Hebrew 
alphabet. The eight verses of each stanza all begin with the same letter. 
This pattern is maintained throughout the psalm until the alphabet is 
complete. [New Bible Companion] 

Psalm 119 The longest of the psalms is an acrostic in which each 
group of eight verses begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew 
alphabet. Nearly every verse mentions the law of God directly or by a 
synonym: law, precept, ways, word, commandments, decrees, statutes, 
precepts, promise, ordinances. The psalm praises God for having given the 
law to his people, and records the sustaining, renewing, hopeful and 
admonitory roles that the law fulfills in their lives. [Cambridge Annotated 
SB]  

This psalm celebrates a revelation which brings delight, because 
each fresh word from God reveals not just information but its Author. 
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

CROSS REFERENCES

2 Cor. 4:4 (KJV)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the 
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel 
of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  

Matthew 13:13 (KJV)  Therefore speak I to them in parables: 
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they 
understand.  

John 9:39 (KJV)  And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into 
this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which 
see might be made blind.  

Acts 26:18 (KJV)  To open their eyes, and to turn them from 
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may 
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are 
sanctified by faith that is in me.  

Ephesians 1:17-18 (NLT)  asking God, the glorious Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so 
that you might grow in your knowledge of God.  I pray that your 
hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the 
wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize 
what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people. 

2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and 
precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine 
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 
 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT)  But whenever anyone turns to the 
Lord, then the veil is taken away.  Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and 
wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.  And all of us have 
had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly 
reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works 
within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even 
more. 

Rev. 3:18 (KJV)  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the 
fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be 
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint 
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

COMMENTARY / APPLICATION

The Bible is a map to guide us. Almost any long trip requires a 
map or guide. As we travel through life, the Bible should be our 
road map, pointing out safe routes, obstacles to avoid, and our final 
destination. We must recognize ourselves as pilgrims, travelers here on earth 
who need to study God's map to learn the way. If we ignore the map, 
we will wander aimlessly through life and risk missing our real 
destination. [Life Application SB] 

The Bible gives us wisdom. True wisdom goes beyond amassing 
knowledge; it is applying knowledge in a life-changing way. Intelligent or 
experienced people are not necessarily wise. Wisdom comes from allowing what 
God teaches to guide us. [Life Application SB] 

We cannot penetrate the deep things of God with our natural 
perceptive powers. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit 
of God " (1 Cor. 2:14). We need to pray that the Lord will take the 
dimness away from our soul, and that He will grant to us the Holy 
Spirit, who alone can reveal the things of God to us (1 Cor. 2:10). [SDA 
Commentary] 

As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ's feet, and learns 
of Him, the word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise 
in their own conceit to study the Bible, Christ says, You must 
become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto 
salvation.  Do not read the word in the light of former opinions; but, with 
a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. 
If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished 
opinions are not in harmony with the word, do not try to make the word 
fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the word. Do not allow 
what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your 
understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the 
law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the 
eternal Rock.  {MYP 260} 

Pray as you study, "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold 
wondrous things out of Thy law," Psalm 119:18. {CT 172.2} 

The beauty and virtue of the word of God have a transforming 
influence upon mind and character; {CT 172.2}