Psalms 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
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Interpretation

Wisdom shapes a guidance that is practiced in planning and improvising in Psalms 119:105—consider "word" and "lamp". Practice guidance in conversations that test patience—make patience ordinary. Wisdom & Worship highlights: Poetry and wisdom teach reverent, honest life before God—through praise, lament, and reflection.

Context

In Psalms (Poetry/Wisdom), developing guidance. Read in Psalms 119, its force becomes clearer. It also intersects wisdom & worship. Listen for “word” alongside “lamp”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Early attribution points to David with other poets for Psalms. Psalms is frequently described this way: Worship songbook gathered from several collections and guilds.. Scholars commonly date Psalms Monarchy through the post‑exilic period.. Wisdom & Worship is especially relevant in this line. Lament and praise train the heart together. The psalter reflects multiple collections brought together for worship.

More details
Traditional:David & others
Modern scholarship:Temple hymnbook with multiple collections and authors.
Date:Monarchy to post‑exilic.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
As part of the Hebrew alphabet acrostic, this verse is textually stable–any corruption would break the acrostic pattern. The word 'lamp' (ner) and 'light' (or) appear consistently. The Septuagint translation matches the Hebrew closely. The Dead Sea Scrolls (11QPsa) preserve large portions of Psalm 119 with minimal variation. The metaphor of God's word as illumination is consistent across all manuscripts.