Psalms 119:170
Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
Original Language Analysis
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 5
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Psalms 119:41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.Psalms 28:2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.2 Samuel 7:25And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
Historical Context
The parallel structure with v. 169 (cry/supplication, understanding/deliverance, according to Your Word) emphasizes that all spiritual blessing flows from God's self-revelation. The psalmist doesn't demand rights but pleads for grace (techinah), grounding his request in God's own promises rather than personal merit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does praying for deliverance 'according to' God's Word keep your requests aligned with His will rather than your preferences?
- What's the difference between demanding deliverance based on your needs versus pleading (<em>techinah</em>) for it based on God's promises?
- How does Jesus's prayer for your deliverance in John 17:15 ('keep them from the evil') fulfill the psalmist's petition?
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Analysis & Commentary
Let my supplication come before thee (תָּבוֹא תְּחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ, tavo techinati lefanekha)—Techinah ('supplication, plea for grace') parallels v. 169's rinnah (cry). Bo ('come, enter, arrive') suggests entrance into the divine presence. The plea: deliver me according to thy word (כְּאִמְרָתְךָ הַצִּילֵנִי, ke'imratekha hatzileni). Natzal ('deliver, rescue, snatch away') appears—deliverance measured by imrah (word, utterance, promise).
This anticipates Christ's high-priestly prayer (John 17), where He petitions the Father for believers' deliverance based on the Father's revealed will.