What Does Psalm 119:72 Mean in the King James?
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
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
What comes from God’s mouth is worth more than wealth because it gives your life direction that gold cannot buy.
THE MEANING
The instruction reaching you from God’s mouth is worth more to you than any abundance of gold or silver. Its value lies in the direction it gives your life, a value no pile of wealth can match.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that your security and worth depend on how much wealth you possess gives way here: God’s instruction outweighs even a vast store of precious metal.
THE ROOT
תּוֹרַת
torat
GROWS FROM
יָרָה
y-r-h
יָרָה (yarah) means to throw or cast; in its causative form, it means to direct or instruct.
The word rendered “law” is תּוֹרָה (torah, instruction or direction), from a root that also carries the sense of pointing or directing. The verse presents God’s spoken instruction as a guide for your path, whose worth exceeds what can be counted in gold and silver.
ALSO GROWS
yarah: to throw, cast, or direct
יָרָה
The root’s directional sense shows that instruction points the way forward.
moreh: teacher or instructor; one who directs
מוֹרֶה
This related word makes the connection between teaching and giving direction visible.
THE PATTERN
What gives lasting direction and wisdom is valued above precious wealth.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.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
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.The same Hebrew word, תּוֹרָה (torah, instruction), opens this verse. Here that instruction restores the soul and makes the simple wise, showing why its value exceeds gold: it renews and directs the living person.
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