Psalms 119:149
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְעָ֣ה
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעָ֣ה
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 6
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ
according unto thy lovingkindness
H2617
כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ
according unto thy lovingkindness
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
3 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 63:7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.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 119:40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.Psalms 55:2Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;Psalms 109:21But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.Psalms 69:16Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.Psalms 119:156Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.Psalms 119:25My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
Historical Context
In covenant theology, hesed was God's loyal love toward Israel despite their unfaithfulness. The prophets appealed to this attribute when interceding for wayward Israel (Hosea 2:19, Micah 7:18-20).
Questions for Reflection
- How does appealing to God's 'lovingkindness' rather than your own merit change the character of your prayers?
- What does it mean to be 'quickened' (made alive) according to God's judgment, and how have you experienced this?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness (שִׁמְעָה קוֹלִי כְחַסְדֶּךָ, shim'ah qoli ke-chasdekha)—The appeal is based not on merit but on hesed, God's covenant love, steadfast loyalty, unfailing kindness. O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment (mishpatekha, Thy just ruling)—The parallel phrase invokes God's justice alongside His mercy. Quicken (chayah) means to make alive, revive, preserve.
This dual appeal—hesed and mishpat, mercy and justice—reflects the cross. Romans 3:26 declares God "just and the justifier"—His justice satisfied, His mercy extended. Psalm 85:10 prophesies, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed." At Calvary, God's lovingkindness and His judgment converge, enabling Him to quicken dead sinners without compromising holiness.