Psalms 119:20
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
Original Language Analysis
גָּרְסָ֣ה
breaketh
H1638
גָּרְסָ֣ה
breaketh
Strong's:
H1638
Word #:
1 of 7
to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) to dissolve
נַפְשִׁ֣י
My soul
H5315
נַפְשִׁ֣י
My soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ
that it hath unto thy judgments
H4941
מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ
that it hath unto thy judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
Cross References
Psalms 84:2My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.Psalms 63:1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;Psalms 119:131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.Psalms 119:174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.Psalms 119:40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.Job 27:10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?Proverbs 17:17A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.Psalms 106:3Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.Song of Solomon 5:8I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
Historical Context
The psalmist's language of soul-crushing longing stands in stark contrast to Israel's repeated pattern of despising God's Word (Numbers 15:31, 2 Samuel 12:9). The remnant who truly treasured God's law experienced this consuming hunger, especially during periods when God's Word was rare (1 Samuel 3:1) or when persecution made accessing Scripture dangerous. This verse reflects the heart of those who valued God's revelation above life itself.
Questions for Reflection
- When was the last time you experienced soul-crushing hunger for God's Word?
- What factors in your life diminish spiritual appetite for Scripture?
- How can you cultivate the kind of intense, continuous longing for God's judgments described in this verse?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. This verse expresses intense spiritual hunger. My soul breaketh (garsah nafshi, גָּרְסָה נַפְשִׁי) uses a verb meaning to crush, break, or shatter—depicting overwhelming, almost painful desire. The psalmist's innermost being (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ) is consumed with longing (ta'avah, תַּאֲבָה), a word often describing craving or intense yearning. This is not casual interest but desperate hunger for God's judgments (mishpatekha, מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ), His authoritative decisions and moral verdicts.
The phrase at all times (bekhol-et, בְּכָל־עֵת) indicates constant, unrelenting desire—not intermittent interest but continuous craving. This echoes Jesus' beatitude: 'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness' (Matthew 5:6). Such intense spiritual appetite is evidence of new birth; the unregenerate neither desire nor delight in God's law (Romans 8:7). As newborn babies crave milk, so believers should crave spiritual food (1 Peter 2:2).