KJV ORIGINAL
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Let my cry reach you, O LORD: give me understanding according to your word.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is pleading with God to hear their urgent prayer and grant them wisdom through His word.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible and an elaborate celebration of God's law and word. The psalm was likely written during or after the Babylonian exile when the Jewish people were deeply focused on preserving and understanding God's written revelation. Each section of this acrostic poem emphasizes different aspects of how God's word guides, teaches, and sustains His people.
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