Psalms 119:130

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:130 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.
Psalms 119:130 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
130The opening of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The entrance of thy words giveth light, etc.] The beginning of them; the first three chapters in Genesis, what light do they give into the origin of all things; the creation of man, his state of innocence; his fall through the temptations of Satan, and his recovery and salvation by Christ, the seed of the woman, the first principles of the oracles of God, the rudiments of religion, the elements of the world, the rites of the ceremonial law, gave great light into Gospel mysteries. As soon as a man enters upon reading the Scriptures, if he has any degree of understanding of the things in them, they immediately throw light into his mind; or, however, as soon as ever the word has an entrance…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The entrance of thy words giveth light - The Septuagint translates this, “the manifestation (or declaration) - ἡ δήλωσις hē dēlōsis - of thy words enlightens.” So the Vulgate. Luther renders it, “When thy word is revealed, so it delivers us, and makes the simple wise.” DeWette, “The opening (revelation) of thy word,” etc. The Hebrew word - פתח pethach - means an “opening” or “entrance” - as of a gate, Joshua 20:4; Judges 9:35; and then “a door,” as of a tent or the temple, Gen 18:1; 1 Kings 6:8; or the gate of a city, Isaiah 3:26; and then it means opening, insight, instruction. The word as used here seems to denote the opening or unfolding of the word of God; the revelation of that…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“entrance: Or, "opening;" paithach̀ the Scriptures give satisfactory light to the mind upon every subject of which they treat; and speedily communicate more useful knowledge to the simplest believer, upon the most important topics, than the acutest philosophers have been able to develop through successive ages. Psa 119:105; Pro 6:23; Isa 8:20; Luk 1:77-79; Act 26:18; Co2 4:4, Co2 4:6; Eph 5:13, Eph 5:14; Pe2 1:19 it giveth: Psa 19:7; Pro 1:4, Pro 1:22, Pro 1:23, Pro 9:4-6; Rom 16:18, Rom 16:19; Ti2 3:15-17 Psalms 119:131”
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Sources and verification