Psalm 119 107

Psalm 119:107 kjv

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Psalm 119:107 nkjv

I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

Psalm 119:107 niv

I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.

Psalm 119:107 esv

I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!

Psalm 119:107 nlt

I have suffered much, O LORD;
restore my life again as you promised.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 107 Meaning

Psalm 119:107 expresses a profound cry from the Psalmist who is experiencing severe suffering and distress. It is a desperate plea to the LORD for renewed vitality and spiritual strength, specifically appealing to God's faithfulness and promises revealed in His word. The verse captures a soul that is overwhelmed by hardship yet firmly anchors its hope in the divine testimony, seeking restoration not based on merit but solely on God's established truth.

Psalm 119 107 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, an acrostic poem of 176 verses divided into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verse in each stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter. The entire psalm is a sustained meditation and fervent praise of God's Word, which is referred to by various synonyms like law, statutes, decrees, commandments, precepts, rules, warnings, testimonies, and promises. The central theme is the absolute sufficiency, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's Torah amidst a world often hostile to righteousness.

Verse 107 specifically falls within the Ayin (ע) section (verses 105-112). In this section, the Psalmist emphasizes God's word as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path (v. 105), confirming his oath to keep God's righteous rules despite immense affliction (v. 106). Verse 107 then presents the specific, pressing nature of this affliction and the resulting desperate prayer for "life." The historical context for the Psalmist is not precisely identified, but common themes throughout Psalm 119 include persecution from the proud (v. 69), scoffers (v. 51), and wicked (v. 61), combined with personal distress and internal struggle. The psalmist lives in a culture where adherence to YHWH's Law distinguished Israel, often leading to conflict with surrounding nations or even internal apostasy. The plea is therefore made in full awareness of the societal pressures and the personal spiritual battles, with the covenant Lord (YHWH) as the sole refuge and source of genuine life. The emphasis on God's "word" in such a state implicitly functions as a polemic against reliance on human power, earthly comforts, or other deities, affirming the unique power and truth of God's revealed will.

Psalm 119 107 Word analysis

• I am greatly afflicted: (Hebrew: Aniti Me'od עָנִיתִי מְאֹד).

  • Aniti: From the verb anah (עָנָה), meaning "to be humbled," "to be afflicted," "to suffer," or "to be oppressed." It often implies a deep, inward sense of distress, brokenness, or suffering, which can be physical, emotional, or spiritual. It also carries the connotation of being brought low or bowed down.
  • Me'od: An intensifier, meaning "very much," "greatly," "exceedingly."
  • Significance: This phrase highlights the severity and depth of the Psalmist's suffering. It's not a mild discomfort but an overwhelming affliction that has profoundly affected his state, implying a state close to death or spiritual exhaustion. It also suggests a state of humble dependence.

• give me life: (Hebrew: Ḥayyeni חַיֵּנִי).

  • Imperative form of the verb ḥāyāh (חָיָה), meaning "to live," "to keep alive," "to revive," "to restore to life," "to prosper."
  • Significance: This is a direct petition for revival. It signifies a desire for renewed vitality, whether physical healing, emotional comfort, spiritual strength, or even deliverance from a life-threatening situation. It goes beyond mere existence, pointing to a vibrant, flourishing life enabled by God. It implies the Psalmist feels close to spiritual or physical death due to affliction.

• O LORD: (Hebrew: YHWH יְהוָה).

  • The covenant name of God, indicating His personal and faithful character as the God who reveals Himself and enters into relationship with His people.
  • Significance: Addressing God by His covenant name signifies the Psalmist's trust in God's faithfulness to His promises and His people. It is a deeply personal and intimate address, recognizing God's supreme authority and ability to act. The appeal is to the God who delivered Israel from Egypt and consistently sustains His people.

• according to your word: (Hebrew: Kᵉḏǝḇāreḵā כְּדְבָרֶךָ).

  • Kᵉ: Preposition "according to," "in agreement with," "by means of."
  • Dǝḇāreḵā: From dabar (דָּבָר), meaning "word," "utterance," "promise," "command," "decree," "matter," or "thing." The suffix "-ḵā" means "your."
  • Significance: This phrase anchors the prayer in God's faithfulness and revealed will. The Psalmist is not asking randomly or based on his own merit, but on the reliable foundation of what God has already spoken and promised. God's "word" is seen as potent, dependable, and capable of bringing about what it declares—including life. This reveals the Psalmist's profound understanding of God's character and the efficacy of His promises. It also emphasizes that God's word is not just information but a life-giving force.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "I am greatly afflicted; give me life": This pairing directly connects deep human suffering with the divine source of life. The plea is urgent and recognizes God as the only one capable of truly alleviating the immense distress and imparting new vitality. It is a confession of desperate need followed by an expression of absolute reliance on God. The nature of the "life" sought is holistic, encompassing well-being beyond mere existence.
  • "give me life, O LORD, according to your word!": This phrase structure powerfully illustrates faith in action. The direct petition to YHWH is immediately qualified by "according to your word," revealing that the Psalmist's hope for life is firmly rooted in God's promises and character, rather than mere wishful thinking. It's a plea for divine intervention based on divine reliability, indicating that God's revealed will is the blueprint for spiritual, and sometimes physical, recovery. This demonstrates that for the Psalmist, God's word is not just knowledge, but an active power that guides prayer and shapes expectation.

Psalm 119 107 Bonus section

The nature of "life" sought in this verse (Ḥayyeni) is particularly rich. In Hebrew thought, life (ḥayyim) is not merely biological existence but a holistic concept of well-being, wholeness, peace (shalom), and thriving. To "give me life" means to restore strength, vitality, purpose, and blessing—all that encompasses a flourishing human experience as intended by God. This deep longing for full life amidst affliction highlights the spiritual bankruptcy that severe trials can bring if one's hope is not anchored in God.

Furthermore, the phrase "according to your word" points to the active, performative nature of God's utterance. God's word does not merely inform; it accomplishes. It is effective and powerful, bringing into being what it declares (Isa 55:11). Thus, the Psalmist is not merely asking for God to fulfill a generic desire, but for God to manifest the life-giving power inherent in His decrees, promises, and law. It’s an appeal for God’s creative, restorative power to be unleashed according to His self-revelation. This aligns with the biblical understanding that true flourishing is inextricably linked to living in alignment with, and drawing sustenance from, God's expressed will.

Psalm 119 107 Commentary

Psalm 119:107 is a poignant testament to the power of God's Word in times of intense adversity. The Psalmist, weighed down by "great affliction," seeks renewed life from the LORD. This isn't a vague cry for help but a precise request anchored in God's dependable promises. The "affliction" (anah) implies not only external troubles but a deep, humbling, soul-wearying distress. Yet, even in this crushed state, the Psalmist remembers God's "word" (dabar) and presents it as the basis for his petition for "life" (ḥayah). This "life" is comprehensive – encompassing spiritual vigor, physical health, emotional comfort, and ultimate deliverance. It signifies a desire to thrive, not just survive, in God's presence. The very specific nature of the request, "according to your word," transforms it from a desperate cry into a prayer of faith, reminding God (and the Psalmist himself) of His covenant commitments. It acknowledges that true life and lasting relief come only through adherence to, and reliance upon, divine truth. It is a profound demonstration that even when brought low, the faithful turn to God's revealed will as their unshakeable foundation for hope and restoration.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • When overwhelmed by difficulties, identify a promise from Scripture (e.g., from Ps 23, Isa 41:10) and use it as the basis for prayer, confessing your need and trusting God's faithfulness.
  • In seasons of spiritual dryness or emotional fatigue, intentionally re-engage with God's word through study and meditation, praying for the Holy Spirit to bring its life-giving power to your soul.
  • When suffering injustice or persecution, rather than retaliating or despairing, lean into specific commands and promises in the Bible regarding endurance, trust, and God's justice.