Psalm 119 40

Psalm 119:40 kjv

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psalm 119:40 nkjv

Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.

Psalm 119:40 niv

How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.

Psalm 119:40 esv

Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

Psalm 119:40 nlt

I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 40 Meaning

Psalm 119:40 expresses the psalmist's intense longing and sincere desire for God's specific instructions and commands. It is a heartfelt prayer appealing to God for revitalization or spiritual renewal, specifically asking to be given life based entirely on God's unwavering faithfulness and righteous character, not on human merit. This verse underscores a profound devotion to divine truth as a wellspring of life, alongside an active reliance on God's inherent justice as the foundation for spiritual flourishing and renewal.

Psalm 119 40 Context

Psalm 119 is renowned as the longest chapter in the Bible and is structured as an elaborate acrostic psalm, with 22 sections corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of these sections contains eight verses, all beginning with the same Hebrew letter for that section. Verse 40 falls within the "Waw" (ו) section. The core theme pervading the entire psalm is the profound and unyielding love, devotion, and meditation upon God's Law (Torah), which is referred to by ten different synonyms, including "precepts," "statutes," and "commandments." Throughout the psalm, the speaker expresses joy, understanding, and reliance upon God's Word, often contrasting his faithfulness with the opposition and scorn of the ungodly. Thus, verse 40 fits perfectly into this tapestry of prayers, declarations of allegiance, and pleas for divine sustenance and deliverance, all rooted in an unshakeable love for and dependence upon God's revealed truth. This deeply reflects the historical and cultural centrality of the Torah for the people of Israel as their divinely appointed guide for life and communion with God.

Psalm 119 40 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): This Hebrew particle functions as an emphatic interjection, equivalent to "look!" or "indeed." It draws immediate attention to the statement that follows, emphasizing the sincerity, earnestness, and importance of the psalmist's heartfelt declaration. It conveys a sense of urgency and directness in presenting his deep desire.
• I long for (תָּאַבְתִּי - ta'avti): Derived from the verb ta'av, this term denotes an intense, passionate yearning, a fervent desire, or a craving. While this root can sometimes be used in a negative sense (e.g., craving forbidden things), here it signifies a righteous and deep spiritual hunger for God's divine directives. It describes a profound inner disposition that sees God's instructions not as a chore, but as utterly desirable and essential for one's very being.
• Your precepts (לְפִקֻּדֶיךָ - lᵉfiqqudeyḵā): From the root paqad, meaning "to appoint," "to visit," or "to command," "precepts" (plural) specifically refer to God's detailed commands, specific regulations, or divine appointments for living. Unlike broader terms like "law," "precepts" emphasize the specific, particular instructions that God has set forth to guide and order human conduct in precise ways. The psalmist desires these specific guidelines because they embody God's wise and holy will.
• Revive me (חַיֵּנִי - ḥayyēni): This is an imperative form of the verb ḥāyāh, meaning "to live," "to give life," "to quicken," or "to restore to life." In Psalm 119, it's a frequently recurring plea, signifying a desire for renewed spiritual vitality, deliverance from despondency, spiritual deadness, or oppression. It can refer to a quickening of one's spirit, renewed strength to face adversity, or even literal preservation of life. It’s a prayer for God to breathe new life and vigor into the psalmist.
• Through Your righteousness (בְצִדְקָתֶךָ - bᵉtsidqāṯeḵā): The preposition "בְּ" (bĕ) here implies "by means of," "in," or "through." God's "righteousness" (tsedeq or tsedaqah) refers to His intrinsic character of perfect justice, faithfulness, and adherence to His covenant promises. It signifies His integrity and His consistency with His holy nature. The psalmist explicitly bases his plea for revival not on any merit of his own, but on God’s faithful and just character, implying that God's righteousness leads Him to save, sustain, and give life to those who trust in His ways.

Words-group analysis:

• "Behold, I long for Your precepts": This phrase immediately captures the intense spiritual orientation of the psalmist. "Behold" draws attention to a profound inner craving, "I long for" expresses a desperate need, and "Your precepts" clarifies that this longing is precisely directed towards God's specific, detailed commands. This highlights an appetite for divine instruction as the very sustenance for living rightly before God, setting this desire apart from mere academic interest.
• "Revive me through Your righteousness": This segment constitutes the urgent petition and reveals its divine basis. The prayer "Revive me" implies a need for life, restoration, or spiritual quickening, suggesting the psalmist is burdened, oppressed, or spiritually dry. Crucially, the power to effect this change comes "through Your righteousness"—not from human effort or worthiness. This anchors the hope for revival firmly in God's faithful, just, and holy character, indicating that His intervention is an outflow of His perfect nature, which consistently upholds His promises and delivers His people.

Psalm 119 40 Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 119:40 within the "Waw" stanza (corresponding to the Hebrew letter waw, which often means "and" or acts as a connective) implicitly highlights the inseparable connection between desiring God's precepts and experiencing His life-giving power. It underscores that spiritual vitality is not disconnected from the active embrace of God's revealed will. Furthermore, the persistent emphasis throughout Psalm 119 on God's various terms for His law (e.g., Torah, Mishpatim, Edut, Huqqim, Mitzvot, Piqudim) reveals a multi-faceted reverence for all aspects of His divine communication. The choice of "precepts" here points to a desire for God's detailed, specific instructions, emphasizing that genuine devotion involves a yearning for comprehensive divine guidance in every facet of life, rather than just abstract principles. This intense personal longing and reliance on God’s active character for deliverance is a powerful polemic against any humanistic attempts at self-improvement or moral ordering apart from God's perfect law and His preserving righteousness.

Psalm 119 40 Commentary

Psalm 119:40 perfectly encapsulates a vibrant, dependent relationship with God: an active, earnest desire for divine guidance matched with a humble reliance on God's inherent character for all life and vitality. The psalmist's longing for God's "precepts" portrays these divine instructions not as rigid rules but as vital necessities, indispensable for a thriving spiritual existence. This yearning signifies a love for truth and a recognition of the wisdom embedded in God's every command, which truly quickens the soul.

The accompanying plea, "Revive me," acknowledges the human propensity towards spiritual weariness, despondency, or even the feeling of being "dead" to God's call in a fallen world. It is a cry for fresh life, renewed strength, and an active restoration of spirit. What makes this plea profoundly biblical is its foundation: "through Your righteousness." This declaration deflects any notion of personal merit as a basis for revival, squarely placing the hope for restoration upon God's unblemished justice, faithfulness, and consistency. God grants life, deliverance, and spiritual renewal because it aligns with who He is—a righteous God who keeps His covenant promises and is faithful to His people. This verse therefore encourages believers to yearn deeply for God's Word and confidently petition Him for spiritual life, always anchoring their hope in His unchanging, righteous nature.

• Practical Examples:
  • When spiritual disciplines feel lifeless or uninspired, prayerfully express a fresh hunger for God's specific truths, asking Him to revive the soul by His inherent faithfulness.
  • In moments of weakness or discouragement from past failures, reflect on this verse to acknowledge one's own inability to self-generate spiritual life, and consciously lean on God's righteousness as the sole ground for fresh starts and renewed purpose.
  • When discerning specific decisions or facing ethical dilemmas, let this verse guide one's desire: to passionately seek God's detailed "precepts," trusting that obedience rooted in God's character leads to true life.