What Does Psalm 119:162 Mean in the King James?
I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse pictures joy as what happens when God’s saying is found to contain more wealth than you knew was there.
THE MEANING
God’s saying meets you as discovered wealth, carrying both surprise and abundance. Joy rises from finding riches already present in the utterance.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the assumption that divine speech is valuable only as instruction to obey: here it is encountered as wealth that brings joy.
THE ROOT
אִמְרָה
imrah
GROWS FROM
אמר
To say, speak, or utter.
The Hebrew word translated “word” is imrah, meaning a saying or utterance. It lets the image land as treasure found in what is spoken.
ALSO GROWS
amar: To say or speak.
אָמַר
This verb shows the living speech beneath the noun: the treasure is an utterance, something said.
omer: Utterance or speech.
אֹמֶר
This related form keeps the focus on spoken expression, echoing the saying the speaker finds precious.
שָׁלָל
shalal
GROWS FROM
שלל
To plunder or take spoil; the noun refers to booty or plunder.
Here “spoil” carries its concrete sense of plunder or booty. Paired with “findeth,” it pictures the utterance as abundant riches discovered, and joy as the response to that discovery.
ALSO GROWS
shalal: Spoil, booty, or plunder.
שָׁלָל
This noun supplies the verse’s image of great wealth found.
shalal: To plunder or take spoil.
שָׁלַל
The related verb gives the image its force of gathered riches, sharpening the abundance in the comparison.
THE PATTERN
God’s utterance is encountered as treasure, and finding it awakens joy.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.THE THREAD
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.The word translated “word” here is also imrah, from אמר, “to say or utter.” In one verse the utterance is found as treasure; in the other, it gives life in affliction.
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