Psalms 119:136Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. A faithful believer watches his nation abandon God's ways, tears streaming as he sees the spiritual decline around him. Modern equivalent: Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: heartbroken over spiritual decay around him
The original word
palgey (פַּלְגֵי) — streams, channels of water flowing continuously
Why it matters
Psalm 119 has 176 verses, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet repeated 8 times
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 119:136
This isn't anger at sinners — it's heartbreak, like a parent watching their child destroy themselves
Common misconceptionPeople think this is self-righteous judgment, but it's actually deep grief — like watching someone you love choose destructive paths.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 119:136
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 119:136 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 119:136 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include heartbreak over sin, tears for others, zeal for God. Notable phrases: Streams of tears; run down my eyes; don't observe your law.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Psalms 119:136 mean to you, today?
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