Psalms 119:124
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
Original Language Analysis
עֲשֵׂ֖ה
Deal
H6213
עֲשֵׂ֖ה
Deal
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 6
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
2 of 6
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
כְחַסְדֶּ֗ךָ
according unto thy mercy
H2617
כְחַסְדֶּ֗ךָ
according unto thy mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
4 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
Cross References
Psalms 119:12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.Psalms 130:7Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.Daniel 9:18O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.Psalms 69:13But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.Psalms 119:132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.Psalms 119:26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.Psalms 69:16Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.Psalms 51:1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.Psalms 103:10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.Luke 18:13And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Historical Context
The covenantal term chesed pervades the Old Testament, describing God's loyal love that maintains His promises despite Israel's failures. David frequently appealed to God's chesed for forgiveness and restoration (Ps 51:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance appealing to your obedience (v. 121) with appealing to God's mercy (v. 124)?
- Why does the psalmist link God's mercy with teaching statutes—how are grace and instruction connected?
- In what areas of life do you need to shift from demanding justice to requesting mercy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy (עֲשֵׂה עִם־עַבְדְּךָ כְחַסְדֶּךָ, aseh im-avdekha kechasdekha)—The plea shifts from the psalmist's own righteousness (v. 121) to God's chesed (covenant love, steadfast mercy). This demonstrates biblical balance: believers pursue righteousness while appealing ultimately to grace. The same pattern governs the new covenant (Eph 2:8-10).
Teach me thy statutes (חֻקֶּיךָ, chuqeiḵa)—Divine decrees or ordinances. True mercy includes instruction in God's ways, not indulgence in ignorance. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12).