Psalms 119:93
I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
Original Language Analysis
לְ֭עוֹלָם
I will never
H5769
לְ֭עוֹלָם
I will never
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח
forget
H7911
אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח
forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
3 of 7
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
פִּקּוּדֶ֑יךָ
thy precepts
H6490
פִּקּוּדֶ֑יךָ
thy precepts
Strong's:
H6490
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, appointed, i.e., a mandate (of god; plural only, collectively, for the law)
Cross References
Psalms 119:16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.Psalms 119:50This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.John 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.1 Peter 1:23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Historical Context
In oral cultures, memory was survival. Israel was commanded to teach Torah "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Memorization ensured God's Word remained accessible when scrolls were scarce or destroyed—critical during persecution.
Questions for Reflection
- What practices help you "never forget" God's precepts in a distracted age?
- Have you experienced Scripture as spiritually "quickening"? What passages revived you?
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Analysis & Commentary
I will never forget thy precepts (לְעוֹלָם לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּח פִּקּוּדֶיךָ le'olam lo-eshkach pikkudekha)—An oath of perpetual remembrance. Le'olam (forever, eternally) paired with the emphatic negative lo creates the strongest possible vow. Pikkud (precept, statute) refers to God's appointed ordinances. For with them thou hast quickened me (כִּי בָם חִיִּיתָנִי ki vam chiyyitani)—The causative verb chayah (to make alive, revive, quicken) explains the vow's motivation.
This is resurrection language. Ezekiel 37's dry bones were "quickened" by God's word; Ephesians 2:5 says believers were "quickened together with Christ." The psalmist experiences Scripture as life-giving power, not dead letter (2 Corinthians 3:6). Memory of God's precepts becomes spiritual CPR, reviving the fainting soul.