Psalms 119:76

Authorized King James Version

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
נָ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#3
חַסְדְּךָ֣
Let I pray thee thy merciful kindness
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#4
לְנַחֲמֵ֑נִי
be for my comfort
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
#5
כְּאִמְרָתְךָ֥
according to thy word
an utterance
#6
לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃
unto thy servant
a servant

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of divine love within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of divine love within the theological tradition of Psalms Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection