Psalm 119 149

Psalm 119:149 kjv

Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Psalm 119:149 nkjv

Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O LORD, revive me according to Your justice.

Psalm 119:149 niv

Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.

Psalm 119:149 esv

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life.

Psalm 119:149 nlt

In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry;
let me be revived by following your regulations.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 149 Meaning

Psalm 119:149 is an earnest prayer to the Sovereign Lord, a fervent appeal for life or restoration. The Psalmist beseeches God to hear his prayer, grounding his petition not on his own merit but firmly on two pillars of God's character: His boundless, steadfast love (mercy) and His righteous, unchanging judgments (ordinances/decrees). It is a plea for revival or preservation, rooted in both God's gracious disposition and the justice of His revealed word.

Psalm 119 149 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem with 22 stanzas, each beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within a stanza also starting with that letter. This entire psalm is a fervent exposition on the unparalleled value and transformative power of God's divine revelation, His Law or Torah (encompassing precepts, statutes, judgments, commandments, words, etc.). The Psalmist expresses profound love, delight, and unwavering devotion to God's word, often in the face of intense opposition, affliction, and persecution. Verse 149 falls within the 'Qoph' (ק) section (verses 145-152), characterized by cries of distress and appeals for help, protection, and deliverance. The author frequently feels oppressed and surrounded by enemies who disregard God's law. In this atmosphere of struggle, the Psalmist consistently turns to God, anchoring his pleas in God's nature and His word. This verse underscores the ancient Israelite understanding that life—both physical existence and spiritual flourishing—was intimately bound to adherence to God's covenant and reliance on His divine character. This belief implicitly contrasts with pagan polytheistic views where divine favor was often arbitrary, rather than tied to a revealed, righteous standard.

Psalm 119 149 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shema): This Hebrew word means more than simply perceiving sound. It implies listening attentively, understanding, responding, and often, obeying. Here, it is an imperative, an earnest command or plea for God to pay heed and act.
• my voice (קוֹלִי - qoli): Refers to a distinct cry or spoken word. It signifies a personal, audible, and heartfelt supplication. The Psalmist is not merely thinking a prayer but is audibly crying out.
• according to Your steadfast love (כְּחַסְדֶּךָ - k'ḥasdeḵa):
  • According to (כְּ - ke): Indicates "in accordance with," "on the basis of," or "in the manner of." It is the standard or measure.
  • Your steadfast love (חַסְדֶּךָ - ḥasdeḵa): One of the richest Hebrew theological terms, hesed. It denotes loyal love, covenant faithfulness, kindness, mercy, and compassion. It’s not just a feeling, but an active, committed goodness, especially when undeserved or amidst difficulty. This appeal acknowledges God's faithful character as the ground for the petition.
• give me life (חַיֵּנִי - ḥayyēni): This is an imperative verb from the root חָיָה (ḥāyāh), meaning 'to live,' 'to be alive,' 'to revive,' 'to restore to life,' or 'to preserve life.' The plea is multifaceted: it can be for physical preservation from death (common given the psalmist's trials), spiritual revitalization (renewal from despair or spiritual lifelessness), or even ultimate salvation. It signifies a desire for continued existence and vitality granted by God.
• according to Your judgments (כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ - k'mishpateyḵa):
  • According to (כְּ - ke): Again, the basis or standard.
  • Your judgments (מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ - mishpateyḵa): From the root שָׁפַט (shaphat), 'to judge.' Refers to God's righteous rulings, decrees, ordinances, or just ways. These are not merely arbitrary rules but reflections of God's character of justice and righteousness. The Psalmist trusts that God's actions are always consistent with His just character and His revealed will, meaning life granted by Him is righteous and right.

• Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love: This phrase emphasizes that the prayer's effectiveness does not rest on the Psalmist's righteousness alone but fundamentally on God's inherent, unchanging, loyal kindness and compassion. It’s an appeal to divine grace, even within the context of the Law.
• give me life according to Your judgments: This parallel phrase balances the previous one. While mercy is the motive, divine justice and righteous standards (God's decrees) are also invoked. It suggests that the requested life is not lawless or contrary to God's established order, but rather a life sustained and governed by God's perfect, just rule. It highlights the profound interconnectedness of God's mercy and His moral law in bringing forth and sustaining life. It’s not a petition for lawlessness under the guise of grace, but for grace within the framework of divine truth and order.

Psalm 119 149 Bonus section

This verse, with its twin appeals to God's "steadfast love" (hesed) and "judgments" (mishpatim), presents a theological "both/and." It corrects the human tendency to overemphasize one aspect of God's character to the exclusion of another. Some might appeal solely to mercy, hoping for disregard of their failings; others might dwell only on justice, fearing all retribution. The Psalmist, however, holds both in balance. He asks for mercy (steadfast love) within the framework of God's righteous rule (judgments). This integrated perspective shows maturity in faith, recognizing God as both merciful redeemer and just judge, with both attributes working in perfect harmony to preserve life according to His divine design. The prayer is for a life sanctified by God's ways, not merely a life spared without consequence.

Psalm 119 149 Commentary

Psalm 119:149 beautifully encapsulates a vital aspect of biblical prayer: an earnest supplication rooted in a deep understanding of God's dual attributes—His unfailing steadfast love (mercy) and His unblemished justice (judgments). The Psalmist's plea to "hear my voice" signifies intense, heartfelt communication, born from a sense of dependence and urgency, possibly amid suffering or spiritual decline. The petition "give me life" speaks to a yearning for revival, sustenance, and preservation—whether from physical peril, spiritual lethargy, or oppressive circumstances. What makes this verse particularly profound is the ground on which the request is made. It is "according to Your steadfast love" because the Psalmist recognizes God's merciful nature is the wellspring of His action and covenant faithfulness. Simultaneously, it is "according to Your judgments" (ordinances, decrees) because God acts consistently with His revealed will and righteous character. This illustrates that genuine biblical grace is never separated from truth and righteousness. God's mercy does not operate outside His justice; rather, His justice informs and directs His mercy. It assures the supplicant that the requested life will be one in harmony with God's perfect ways. The verse offers a model for prayer: audacious in its request for divine intervention, yet humble in its reliance on God's character alone, affirming His unwavering goodness and His unassailable standards.