Psalms 119:156 — Word Study
WLCרַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
BSAGreatrab are Your merciesracham [tender, many] O LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah] revive mechâyâh [quicken, give life to] according to Your ordinancesmishpâṭ [judgments, decisions]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ | compassion your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| רַבִּ֥ים׀ | [are] great | Adj |
| יְהוָ֑ה | O Yahweh | Noun proper |
| כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ | according to judgments your | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | preserve alive me | Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Great are Your mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your ordinances. |
| KJV | Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. |
| ASV | Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: Quicken me according to thine ordinances. |
| YLT | Thy mercies [are] many, O Jehovah, According to Thy judgments quicken me. |
| WEB | Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances. |
| BBE | Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions. |
Where they part company is in the interpretation of רַחֲמֶיךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause and two subordinate phrases that elaborate on the request for revival.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 119:156
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Greatness of God's Merciesgenerated
Psalm 119:156 expresses the psalmist's recognition of God's abundant mercies and his desire for revival according to God's judgments. This verse is situated within a broader context that reflects on the psalmist's struggles with wickedness and his reliance on God's statutes. The surrounding verses highlight the contrast between the faithful and the wicked, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and restoration.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 51:1 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. |
| 2 | Psalm 86:5–13 | For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You. |
| 3 | 1 Chronicles 21:13 | David answered Gad, “I am deeply distressed. Please, let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
| 5 | Isaiah 63:7 | I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us— the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רַחֲמֶיךָ, ra.cha.Mei.khagenerated
The word רַחַם (racham) primarily means 'womb' and is associated with nurturing and compassion. In its plural form, רַחֲמִים (rachamim), it conveys a deep, tender love or mercy. The parsing indicates this is a noun in the construct state, showing possession, hence 'your mercies.'
This term captures the essence of God's compassionate nature towards His people, reflecting a maternal aspect of care and love. The psalmist appeals to this characteristic of God, emphasizing the need for mercy in his plea for revival.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in the verse is חַיֵּנִי, revive me, which governs the entire plea. The structure includes a subject noun phrase, רַבִּ֥ים (great), and a prepositional phrase, כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ (according to your judgments), indicating the basis for the request.
The arrangement of the Hebrew words emphasizes the psalmist's urgent appeal for life, with the acknowledgment of God's great mercies serving as the foundation for his plea.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רַחֲמֶיךָ with σου (your), indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew term for mercies. This choice reflects a consistent understanding of God's compassionate nature.
The Greek term κύριε (O Lord) is used for יְהוָ֑ה, maintaining the reverence associated with God's name in the Hebrew text.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:156 highlights the psalmist's recognition of God's great mercies and his plea for revival based on God's judgments. The verse emphasizes the abundance of God's compassion and the desire for restoration in the face of challenges.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to God's abundant compassion and kindness, which are essential for life and revival.
The request for revival indicates a need for spiritual renewal and restoration, reflecting a reliance on God's judgments.
God's mercies are linked to His judgments, as they reflect His compassionate response to human failings and His desire to restore.
This verse teaches that God is merciful and compassionate, always ready to revive and restore those who seek Him.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to experience God's revival and restoration?
- How can I better understand and appreciate God's mercies in my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to live according to God's judgments?
- How can I share the message of God's compassion with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo comments on this verse, reflecting on the nature of God's mercy and the believer's relationship with Him.
This he saw himself also. For I should not see it, save I saw it in Him, save I were in Him. For these are the words of the Body of Christ, whose members we are.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:156 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleGreat [are] thy tender mercies, O Lord,.... Not his providential mercies only, which are many and undeserved, and constantly repeated; but his special mercies in Christ, which flow from the
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGreat are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Quicken me according to thy judgments - (Psalms 119:149, note.)
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleVer. 156. According to the manner of thy administrations towards thy people, as .
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:156 Great [are] thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercies, &c.] Or, many and mother-like. This is great comfort to greatest sinners.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 156. Great are thy tender mercies] They are רבים rabbim, multitudes. They extend to all the wretchednesses of all men.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges156. Great are thy tender mercies] Thy compassions (Psalms 119:77). Cp. 2 Samuel 24:14; Nehemiah 9:19; Nehemiah 9:27; Nehemiah 9:31 (A.V. thy manifold mercies); Daniel 9:18. quicken me &c.] Cp. Psalms 119:149 b.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleGreat are thy tender mercies, O Lord - They are many, or multiplied. The word rendered “tender mercies” is the same which occurs in Psalms 40:11; Psalms 51:1; Psalms 69:16; Psalms 79:8; Psalms 103:4. See the notes at Psalms 25:6.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleø, Resh.153-160. Plead my cause—The prayer is here as if the honour of God were involved in the deliverance of those who put their trust in him. The pleading is, for that very reason, the more earnest.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 119 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Great are Your mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your ordinances.
Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.
Great are Your mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your ordinances.
Your compassion is great, O Lord. Revive me, as you typically do!
Tyndale line
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah: Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: revive me according to thy judgments.
Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy iudgements.
Strictly literal
Many are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah; quicken me according to thy judgments.
Thy mercies [are] many, O Jehovah, According to Thy judgments quicken me.
Your mercies [are] many, O YHWH, || Quicken me according to Your judgments.
Thy mercies are abundant, O Lord; according to thy decrees do thou revive me.
Great are your merciful actions, Yahweh; keep me alive, as you always do.
Simplified
Lord, your mercy is so great! Because you are always fair, please let me live!
Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with all five words matched in the Hebrew and Greek. The Dead Sea Scrolls also agree with the Masoretic Text, showing consistency across these ancient witnesses.
רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים׀ יְהוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
רחמי׳כה רבים יהוה כמשפטי׳כה חונ׳ני
5 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 119:156
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רַחַם (racham) primarily means 'womb' and is associated with the idea of nurturing. It also refers to 'compassion' in its plural form, רַחֲמִים (rachamim), indicating a deep, tender love or mercy. The word is built from a root that conveys a sense of cherishing, often linked to the maternal aspect of compassion.
רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם n.m. womb
base
רַחֲמִים n.m. abs. pl. intens. compassion
base
H7356a רֶ֫חֶם, רַ֫חַם womb H7356b רַחֲמִים abs. pl. intens. compassion
7356 racham rakh'-am
from 7355; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb
(as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden:--
bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender)
mercy, pity, womb.
see HEBREW for 07355
רַחַם (ra.cham) — womb.
womb
Another spelling of re.chem (רֶ֫חֶם "womb" H7358)
רַחֲמִים (ra.cha.mim) — compassion.
compassion
Aramaic equivalent: re.chem (רַחֲמִין "compassion" H7359)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
רַב (rav) means much, many, or great, often used in contrast to מְעַט (me'at). It can describe abundance in quantity or rank and is also used as a noun for chief or captain. The word conveys a range of meanings from numerous to exceedingly, and it can function as both an adjective and a noun.
רַב 429 adj. much, many, great
(oft. opp. מְעַט)
much: of substances
esp. of collectives, numerous
pl. many
רַב as subst. coll. pers.
cstr. = abounding in
מִן comp. = more numerous than
רַב = abundant, enough
as adv. much, exceedingly
less oft. great
base
רַב 49 n.m. chief
base
H7227a רַב much, many, great . (oft. opp. מְעַט) . . much: of substances
. esp. of collectives, numerous
. pl. many
. רַב as subst. coll. pers.
. cstr. = abounding in
. + מִן comp. = more numerous than
. רַב = abundant, enough
. as adv. much, exceedingly
. less oft. great
H7227b רַב chief
7227 rab rab
by contracted from 7231; abundant (in quantity, size, age,
number, rank, quality):--(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly),
captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man,
one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold,
things, a time), ((ship-))master, mighty, more, (too, very)
much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous,
populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent).
see HEBREW for 07231
רַב (rav) — many.
adj
1) much, many, great
1a) much
1b) many
1c) abounding in
1d) more numerous than
1e) abundant, enough
1f) great
1g) strong
1h) greater than
adv
1i) much, exceedingly
רַב (rav) — chief.
captain, chief
Aramaic equivalent: rav.re.van (רַבְרְבָן "noble" H7261)
רַב (rav) — (Sidon) the Great.
Combined with tsi.don (צִידוֹן "Sidon" H6721H)
§ captain, chief
Adj — AdjHAampa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
The Hebrew word מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) primarily means judgment or justice and encompasses various aspects such as legal rights, ordinances, and decisions. It is derived from a root meaning to pronounce a verdict, covering both human and divine law. The entries highlight its application in legal contexts, including the act of deciding cases and the attributes of justice and rectitude.
מִשְׁפָּט 422 n.m. judgment
judgment
justice, right, rectitude
ordinance
decision
one's (legal) right, privilege, due
proper, fitting, measure
custom, manner
what manner of
plan
base
H4941 מִשְׁפָּט judgment . judgment
. justice, right, rectitude
. ordinance
. decision
. one's (legal) right, privilege, due
. . proper, fitting, measure
. custom, manner
. what manner of
. plan
4941 mishpat mish-pawt'
from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable)
pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree
(human or (participant's) divine law, individual or
collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the
crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a
participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or
even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime,
custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due,
fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly),
(manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order,
ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.
see HEBREW for 08199
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man)
1c) ordinance
1d) decision (in law)
1e) right, privilege, due (legal)
1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
מִשְׁפָּט (mish.pat) — justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) judgment, justice, ordinance
1a) judgment
1a1) act of deciding a case
1a2) place, court, seat of judgment
1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges)
1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment)
1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment)
1a6) execution (of judgment)
1a7) time (of judgment)
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms
חָיָה (chayah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to live or have life, encompassing both literal and figurative senses. It includes various nuances such as reviving, preserving life, and restoring health. The entries detail its use in different stems, with Qal focusing on living and being quickened, while Piel and Hiphil emphasize giving life and reviving. No specific verse references are provided.
חָיָה 283 vb. live
Qal 203
live
be quickened, revive
Pi.
preserve alive, let live
give life
quicken, revive, refresh
Hiph.
preserve alive, let live
quicken, revive
base
H2421 חָיָה live .. live
. be quickened, revive
. . preserve alive, let live
. give life
. quicken, revive, refresh
. . preserve alive, let live
. quicken, revive
2421 chayah khaw-yaw'
a primitive root (compare 2331, 2421); to live, whether
literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:--keep
(leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let,
suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken,
recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save
(alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.
see HEBREW for 02331
see HEBREW for 02421
חָיָה (cha.yah) — to live.
1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to live
1a1a) to have life
1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive
1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon
1a1d) to live (prosperously)
1a2) to revive, be quickened
1a2a) from sickness
1a2b) from discouragement
1a2c) from faintness
1a2d) from death
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to preserve alive, let live
1b2) to give life
1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh
1b3a) to restore to life
1b3b) to cause to grow
1b3c) to restore
1b3d) to revive
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to preserve alive, let live
1c2) to quicken, revive
1c2a) to restore (to health)
1c2b) to revive
1c2c) to restore to life
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVpv2ms/Sp1bs