Bible Strands
Psalms 119:66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD directly, in the midst of a long acrostic of devotion. He has just praised God's goodness (v.65) and is about to confess past waywardness (v.67).
The words — טַעַם (ta'am) is the same root as "taste" (Psalm 34:8); here it means trained, experiential discernment rather than abstract information. דַּעַת (da'at) is the knowledge of Proverbs — relational and practical, not merely intellectual.
The thread — The pairing of discernment with trust in God's word runs from 1 Kings 3:9 (Solomon asking for an understanding heart) through Proverbs 2:1 (hiding commandments within you) to Philippians 1:9 (love abounding in knowledge and depth of insight).
Why it lands — The request is for trained moral perception, not a list of rules, and the stated ground is trust in God's commands rather than self-reliance. A reader is asked to see discernment as something received, not manufactured.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
Cross-references
- Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
- James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
- Psalms 119:128 Therefore I admire all Your precepts and hate every false way.
- Psalms 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
- Psalms 119:172 My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
- Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
- Matthew 13:11 He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.