Psalms 119:18 Meaning: Open My Eyes to See Wonders in Your Law
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold Wondrous things out of thy law.
Uncover mine eyes, and I behold wonders out of Thy law.
Open mine eyes, and I shall behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the psalmist pray for God to open his eyes to see wonders in the law? Discover the meaning of this prayer for spiritual sight.
Context
Psalm 119 is a carefully crafted poem of 176 verses, arranged in 22 sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The verse we are looking at belongs to the third section, the Gimel stanza. The writer has already said he rejoices in God’s testimonies, meditates on them, and delights in them (verses 14, 16). But then he prays. He does not pray for new laws or secret revelations. He prays for his own eyes to be opened. The verses that follow also speak of being a stranger on earth (verse 19) and of a soul that longs for God’s ordinances (verse 20). So this prayer sits in the middle of a life that already loves God’s Word, yet knows it cannot see deeply enough without help.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind “open” is gal, which means to uncover, to remove a veil or a covering. It is the same word used when God uncovered the eyes of Balaam so he saw the angel standing in the road. The psalmist is not asking for a new message; he is asking for the veil to be taken from his own vision. The verb translated “may see” is navat, which carries more than casual glancing, it means to look intently, to pay close attention, to consider carefully. And what he expects to see are nifla’ot, wonderful things: things that are extraordinary, hard to understand by natural reasoning, things that fill a person with awe. The law itself, God’s instruction, already contains these marvels, but they stay hidden unless God uncovers them.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have understood this verse as a request for spiritual illumination that only God can give. Reformed commentators like Calvin taught that human minds are darkened by sin and need a special work of the Holy Spirit to receive spiritual truth. Wesleyan writers like Adam Clarke agreed, but stressed that the Holy Spirit works through the plain words of Scripture to enlighten the heart. The Catholic tradition has also emphasized the role of grace in lifting the mind to see the deeper meaning of Scripture. All these readings affirm one thing: even the most faithful reader comes to the Bible in need of divine help. The wonder is there; we ask to see it.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this verse means the law itself is hidden or obscure, as if God deliberately keeps its meaning secret. In fact, the psalmist believes the law is full of wonders that are already there, waiting to be seen. The problem is not with the law, but with the eye. As Matthew Henry put it, the Bible does not lack light; the soul lacks sight. The prayer is not for God to reveal something new, but to remove the veil from what He has already given.
Living This Out
You can use this short verse as a prayer before you open your Bible this week. Do not just read the words and move on. Pause and say, “Lord, open my eyes.” Then expect Him to do it. Look for something wonderful: a promise you had forgotten, a command that carries unexpected comfort, a portrait of Christ you had not noticed. The psalmist was already familiar with the law, yet he prayed this prayer. Familiarity can dull our sight. Let this verse sharpen yours again.
Main takeaway: God’s Word already holds wonders; we need Him to open our eyes so we can see them.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
This verse is a prayer. It asks God to help us see wonderful things in His Book. Before you read the Bible, you can pray this and ask God to show you something amazing.
For ages 9, 12
The writer of this psalm already knew God’s Word, but he knew he needed God’s help to see all the wonderful things in it. Sometimes we read the Bible and think we already know what it says. But if we pray this verse first, God can open our eyes to see things we never noticed before. Try it this week. Ask God to show you one wonderful thing in the passage you read.
Questions People Ask
What does “open my eyes” mean in Psalm 119:18?
It means uncovering the spiritual understanding so you can see truths in Scripture that your natural mind would miss. The Hebrew word implies removing a veil or covering. The psalmist is not physically blind; he is asking for inward illumination from God.
Why does the psalmist call God’s law “wondrous things”?
The Hebrew word Nifla’ot means things that are extraordinary, beyond human comprehension, suited to inspire awe. The psalmist believes the law contains deep mysteries, including promises of Christ and God’s plan of salvation. These wonders are hidden beneath the surface and need divine insight to be perceived.
Do Christians today still need to pray this prayer?
Yes. Even if you have read the Bible many times, you can still miss its depths. Our hearts can grow dull or distracted. Praying this verse before reading Scripture is a way of humbly asking God to teach you and show you something new. Many Christians throughout history have used this verse as a daily prayer.
Is this verse about reading the Bible with a new perspective?
It is more than a new perspective. It is asking God to actively remove spiritual blindness so that you can perceive wonders that were always there but invisible to your natural sight. It is about dependence on God for true understanding, not just trying harder to concentrate.
What is the “law” in this context?
The word torah here refers to God’s instruction, which in the Old Testament included the first five books and eventually the whole of Scripture. The psalmist uses “law” broadly to include God’s commandments, testimonies, precepts and promises, all of which contain wonderful things worth discovering.
For pastors & researchers
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