Psalm 119:100
New International Version
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

New Living Translation
I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.

English Standard Version
I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

Berean Standard Bible
I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.

King James Bible
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

New King James Version
I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts.

New American Standard Bible
I understand more than those who are old, Because I have complied with Your precepts.

NASB 1995
I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

NASB 1977
I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Thy precepts.

Legacy Standard Bible
I perceive more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

Amplified Bible
I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts], Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.

Christian Standard Bible
I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts.

American Standard Version
I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts.

Contemporary English Version
and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time.

English Revised Version
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept thy precepts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have more wisdom than those with many years of experience, because I have obeyed your guiding principles.

Good News Translation
I have greater wisdom than those who are old, because I obey your commands.

International Standard Version
I have more common sense than the elders, for I observe your precepts.

Majority Standard Bible
I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.

NET Bible
I am more discerning than those older than I, for I observe your precepts.

New Heart English Bible
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

Webster's Bible Translation
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

World English Bible
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Above elderly—I understand more, "" For I have kept Your precepts.

Young's Literal Translation
Above elders I understand more, For Thy precepts I have kept.

Smith's Literal Translation
I shall understand above the old men, for I watched thy charges.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have understood beyond the elders. For I have searched your commandments.

New American Bible
I have more understanding than my elders, because I keep your precepts.

New Revised Standard Version
I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I understand more than the elders, because I keep thy statutes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I understand more than The Elders because I have kept your commandments.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I understand more than mine elders, Because I have keep Thy precepts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I understand more that the aged; because I have sought out thy commandments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
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. 101I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.…

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

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is 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.

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

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

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

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

Daniel 1:17
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

1 Kings 3:12
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.

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 1:9
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Ephesians 1:17-18
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19
Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”


Treasury of Scripture

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts.

understand

1 Kings 12:6-15
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? …

Job 12:12
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

Job 15:9,10
What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? …

because

Psalm 119:10
With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Jeremiah 8:8,9
How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain…

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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 discern
The Hebrew word for "discern" is "בִּין" (bin), which conveys understanding, insight, or the ability to perceive. In the context of Psalm 119, this discernment is not merely intellectual but spiritual, rooted in a deep relationship with God. The psalmist emphasizes that true wisdom and understanding come from God, surpassing even the knowledge of those who are older or more experienced. This insight is a gift from God, granted to those who earnestly seek Him and His ways.

more than the elders
"Elders" in Hebrew is "זְקֵנִים" (zeqenim), referring to those who are older and traditionally considered wise due to their life experiences. In ancient Israelite culture, elders held positions of respect and authority, often serving as leaders and judges within the community. The psalmist's claim to discern more than the elders is not an expression of arrogance but a testament to the transformative power of God's Word. It suggests that spiritual maturity and understanding are not solely dependent on age or experience but on one's relationship with God and adherence to His teachings.

because I obey
The phrase "I obey" is derived from the Hebrew "שָׁמַר" (shamar), meaning to keep, guard, or observe. This word implies a careful and intentional adherence to God's commands. The psalmist attributes his discernment to his obedience, highlighting a key biblical principle: obedience to God's Word leads to greater understanding and wisdom. This obedience is not a burdensome duty but a joyful commitment to living according to God's will, resulting in spiritual insight and growth.

Your precepts
"Precepts" in Hebrew is "פִּקּוּדִים" (piqqudim), referring to God's instructions or commandments. These are not arbitrary rules but divine guidelines meant to lead believers into a life of righteousness and holiness. The psalmist's focus on God's precepts underscores the importance of Scripture as the foundation for wisdom and discernment. By prioritizing God's precepts, the psalmist aligns his life with God's purposes, experiencing the blessings of divine guidance and understanding.

(100) Ancients.--Or, more probably, as the LXX. and Vulg., and the old versions generally took it, old men.

Verse 100. - I understand more than the ancients; or, "the aged." Advanced age does not necessarily give wisdom (see Job 32:7-9). "Antiquity is no help against stupidity" (Luther). Because I keep thy precepts (comp. ver. 104 and John 7:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I discern
אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן (’eṯ·bō·w·nān)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

more than the elders,
מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים (miz·zə·qê·nîm)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205: Old

because
כִּ֖י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I obey
נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ (nā·ṣā·rə·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

Your precepts.
פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ (p̄iq·qū·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6490: Appointed, a mandate


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the aged because (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:99
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