Psalms Chapter 119 · Verse 156

Authorized King James Version

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Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Original Language Analysis

רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ are thy tender mercies H7356
רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ are thy tender mercies
Strong's: H7356
Word #: 1 of 5
compassion (in the plural)
רַבִּ֥ים׀ Great H7227
רַבִּ֥ים׀ Great
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 2 of 5
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
יְהוָ֑ה O LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 5
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ me according to thy judgments H4941
כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ me according to thy judgments
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 4 of 5
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
חַיֵּֽנִי׃ quicken H2421
חַיֵּֽנִי׃ quicken
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 5 of 5
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

Analysis & Commentary

Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD (רַבִּים רַחֲמֶיךָ יְהוָה, rabbim rachamekha YHWH)—Rachamim (plural of rechem, 'womb') denotes visceral, maternal compassion. The plural intensifies: 'manifold compassions.' Quicken me according to thy judgments (כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ חַיֵּנִי, kemishpatekha chayeni)—mishpatim are judicial decisions, case-law precedents. The psalmist asks for life-giving not despite God's justice but according to it.

This resolves the mercy-justice tension at the cross: Romans 3:26 declares God 'just and the justifier.' The mishpatim (judgments) fell on Christ; the rachamim (mercies) flow to us.

Historical Context

The dual appeal to both mercy and judgments reflects Israel's covenant theology: God is both compassionate deliverer (Exodus 34:6) and righteous judge (Deuteronomy 32:4). The 'quickening' motif continues, but here linked specifically to God's judicial character—His righteous verdicts bring life to the faithful.

Questions for Reflection