Psalms 119:84
How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
Original Language Analysis
כַּמָּ֥ה
H4100
כַּמָּ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יְמֵֽי
How many are the days
H3117
יְמֵֽי
How many are the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 7
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מָתַ֬י
H4970
מָתַ֬י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
when wilt thou execute
H6213
תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה
when wilt thou execute
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
Israel's history oscillated between persecution and deliverance. During exile and under foreign oppression, the faithful asked how long God would tolerate injustice. The prophets assured that though judgment tarries, it will come (Isaiah 13:11, Ezekiel 7:27). God's timetable differs from human urgency, testing patient faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you pray for justice against persecutors while maintaining love for enemies?
- What does claiming identity as God's 'servant' teach about approaching Him with urgent petitions?
- When God's timeline differs from yours, how do you balance honest lament with patient trust?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
How many are the days of thy servant? (כַּמָּה יְמֵי־עַבְדֶּךָ)—this isn't casual curiosity but urgent appeal: how much longer must I endure? Kamah (how many) pleads for numbered days, finite suffering. By claiming covenant status (avdekha, thy servant), he appeals to God's obligations toward His own. When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? (מָתַי תַּעֲשֶׂה בְרֹדְפַי מִשְׁפָּט) intensifies with matai (when?)—the cry for divine justice against rodephai (my persecutors) through mishpat (judgment).
The martyrs under the altar cry identically: 'How long, O Lord...dost thou not judge and avenge our blood?' (Revelation 6:10). This isn't vindictiveness but theodicy—will God vindicate His name and His people? Habakkuk asked the same (Habakkuk 1:2), as did Jesus's parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:7-8).