Psalm 119:99
New International Version
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

New Living Translation
Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.

English Standard Version
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

Berean Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

King James Bible
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

New King James Version
I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

New American Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

NASB 1995
I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

NASB 1977
I have more insight than all my teachers, For Thy testimonies are my meditation.

Legacy Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

Amplified Bible
I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word], For Your testimonies are my meditation.

Christian Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers because your decrees are my meditation.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation.

American Standard Version
I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation.

Contemporary English Version
Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers,

English Revised Version
I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have more insight than all my teachers, because your written instructions are in my thoughts.

Good News Translation
I understand more than all my teachers, because I meditate on your instructions.

International Standard Version
I am more insightful than my teachers, because your decrees are my meditations.

Majority Standard Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

NET Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules.

New Heart English Bible
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

Webster's Bible Translation
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

World English Bible
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have acted wisely above all my teachers. For Your testimonies [are] my meditation.

Young's Literal Translation
Above all my teachers I have acted wisely. For Thy testimonies are my meditation.

Smith's Literal Translation
Above all those teaching me I understood, for thy testimonies a meditation to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have understood beyond all my teachers. For your testimonies are my meditation.

New American Bible
I have more insight than all my teachers, because I ponder your testimonies.

New Revised Standard Version
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my meditation.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Give me more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Educate me more than all my teachers because your testimonies have been my meditation.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have more understanding than all my teachers; For Thy testimonies are my meditation.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have more understanding than all my teachers; for thy testimonies are my medication.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. 99I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. 100I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 9:9
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

2 Timothy 3:15
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

1 Corinthians 2:13
And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Matthew 13:11
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Luke 24:45
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

John 14:26
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.

1 John 2:27
And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 3:13
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,

Job 32:7-9
I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. / But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. / It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.


Treasury of Scripture

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation.

than all

Deuteronomy 4:6-8
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people…

2 Samuel 15:24-26
And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city…

1 Chronicles 15:11-13
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, …

for thy

Psalm 119:24
Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellers.

2 Timothy 3:15-17
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…

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Acted Insight Meditate Meditation Statutes Teachers Testimonies Thought Unchanging Understanding Wisely Word
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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














I have more insight
The Hebrew word for "insight" is "שָׂכַל" (sakal), which implies a deep understanding or prudence. In the biblical context, insight is not merely intellectual knowledge but a spiritual discernment that comes from God. This insight is a gift that surpasses human wisdom and is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The psalmist claims a level of understanding that exceeds that of his instructors, suggesting that divine wisdom is superior to human teaching.

than all my teachers
The phrase "all my teachers" indicates a comprehensive comparison. In ancient Israel, teachers were highly respected figures, often scribes or rabbis, who were well-versed in the Law and traditions. The psalmist's claim is bold, suggesting that his understanding, derived from divine revelation, surpasses even the collective wisdom of these learned individuals. This highlights the transformative power of God's Word, which can elevate the understanding of even the simplest believer beyond that of the most educated.

for Your testimonies
The term "testimonies" (עֵדוֹת, edot) refers to the decrees or laws given by God, particularly those that bear witness to His covenant with Israel. These are not just legalistic commands but are seen as divine revelations that testify to God's character and His will for humanity. The psalmist's meditation on these testimonies is the source of his superior insight, emphasizing the importance of Scripture as a means of knowing God and His purposes.

are my meditation
The word "meditation" (שִׂיחָה, siḥah) implies a deep, continuous reflection or musing. In the Hebrew tradition, meditation is an active engagement with the text, involving recitation, memorization, and contemplation. This practice is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline that transforms the heart and mind. By making God's testimonies his meditation, the psalmist aligns his thoughts and actions with divine truth, resulting in profound insight and wisdom.

(99) More understanding . . .--The Rabbinical writers disliked the idea of a scholar professing wisdom above his teachers, and rendered, "from all my teachers I got wisdom," which was certainly far more in keeping with the process by which the Talmud grew into existence.

Verse 99. - I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Teachers of secular knowledge are intended, wise in their special branches of learning, but not "wise unto salvation." Such "teachers" have often no spiritual knowledge or discernment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I have more insight
הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי (hiś·kal·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

than all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my teachers,
מְלַמְּדַ֥י (mə·lam·mə·ḏay)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Your testimonies
עֵ֝דְוֺתֶ֗יךָ (‘ê·ḏə·wō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5715: Testimony

are my meditation.
שִׂ֣יחָה (śî·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7881: Reflection, be extension, devotion


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:98
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