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 more than the elders
This phrase highlights the psalmist's claim of possessing greater understanding than those traditionally considered wise due to age and experience. In biblical times, elders were respected leaders and decision-makers within the community, often serving as judges or advisors (Deuteronomy 19:12, Ruth 4:2). The psalmist's assertion suggests that spiritual insight and wisdom are not solely dependent on age but on one's relationship with God's Word. This echoes the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God (Proverbs 2:6) and is accessible to those who seek it earnestly (James 1:5). The psalmist's confidence in surpassing the elders in discernment underscores the transformative power of divine instruction.

for I obey Your precepts
The psalmist attributes his superior discernment to his obedience to God's precepts. In the Hebrew context, "precepts" refers to specific instructions or commandments given by God, emphasizing the importance of living according to divine law. Obedience to God's commands is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, often linked to blessings and understanding (Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Psalm 19:7-11). This obedience is not merely external compliance but involves a heartfelt commitment to God's will, as seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). The psalmist's statement reflects the biblical principle that true wisdom and understanding are the results of aligning one's life with God's revealed truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, who expresses a deep love and reverence for God's law.

2. Elders
In the context of ancient Israel, elders were respected leaders and wise men who held authority and were often consulted for their wisdom.

3. God's Precepts
The divine instructions and commandments given by God, which the psalmist commits to obeying.
Teaching Points
Obedience Leads to Understanding
The psalmist claims greater discernment than the elders because of his obedience to God's precepts. This suggests that true wisdom is not merely intellectual but is deeply connected to living out God's commands.

Wisdom Beyond Age
The verse challenges the notion that wisdom is solely a function of age or experience. Instead, it emphasizes that a life aligned with God's word can grant profound insight, regardless of one's age.

The Role of God's Word in Daily Life
The psalmist's commitment to God's precepts serves as a model for how believers should integrate Scripture into their daily decisions and actions.

The Importance of Humility
While the psalmist claims greater understanding, it is not a boastful statement but a recognition of the power of God's word. Believers are encouraged to remain humble, acknowledging that any wisdom they possess is a gift from God.(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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