Psalms 119:154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
Original Language Analysis
רִיבָ֣ה
Plead
H7378
רִיבָ֣ה
Plead
Strong's:
H7378
Word #:
1 of 5
properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend
וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי
and deliver
H1350
וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי
and deliver
Strong's:
H1350
Word #:
3 of 5
to redeem (according to the middle eastern law of kinship), i.e., to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his wido
Cross References
1 Samuel 24:15The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.Micah 7:9I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.Psalms 35:1Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.Psalms 119:40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.Psalms 43:1Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.Psalms 119:25My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.Job 5:8I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:Proverbs 22:23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Historical Context
The legal language reflects ancient Near Eastern court proceedings, where the powerless needed advocates against oppressors. Israel's covenant with Yahweh included His role as divine Advocate (Exodus 23:6-8). The 'quickening' theme appears throughout Psalm 119 (vv. 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159), linking spiritual vitality to God's Word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God as your covenant Attorney change your approach to accusation and guilt?
- What does it mean practically to ask God to 'quicken' you according to His Word rather than your feelings or circumstances?
- How does Christ function as both our <em>Go'el</em> (Kinsman-Redeemer) and Advocate (1 John 2:1)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Plead my cause, and deliver me (רִיבָה רִיבִי וּגְאָלֵנִי, rivah rivi uge'aleni)—Riv means 'contend at law, advocate, defend in court.' The psalmist summons God as covenant attorney. Ga'al ('deliver/redeem') is the kinsman-redeemer term—Boaz to Ruth, God to Israel. Quicken me according to thy word (chayeni, 'make me alive') connects life itself to divine promise.
This forensic language anticipates Romans 8:33-34: 'Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.' Christ our go'el both pleads our cause and pays our redemption price.