Capital Area Biblical Studies Fellowship

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Does this verse mean that if we are hiking in the dark we can use our Bibles like a flashlight?

No, it doesnâ. This verse is an Orientalism which is a mannerism or custom that would have been normal in the times that the Bible was written. Depending on where you live in the world you may or may not be familiar with the customs. Letâ look at what this verse means.

In the times and places of the Bible many people went to work in the fields to plant crops and take care of them until it was harvest time. They would have gotten up early to go out into the fields to do their work. Since they did not have electricity for light they needed some way to light the path from the village to the field so that they would not stumble and fall. Someone would have gotten up early to start a fire so the workers could meet to warm themselves before going out to work. Also at this fire people would take some rope and light the tip of it in the fire. It would not be enough to set the rope on fire, but just enough to keep the end of the rope barely lit and smoldering. The person walking would then blow on the rope which would cause some sparks to come off of the end of the rope. These few sparks would give them just enough light to see the path. By doing this they would not stumble.

This verse is telling us that Godâ Word is like that light that people would take with them on the paths. It sheds light in our lives and gives us direction so that we do not have to stumble or fall.

Verses for continued study:
Psalm 16:11, 25:4 and 10, Psalm 119:10; Proverbs 2:6Activity