Psalms 119:28 — Word Study
WLCדָּלְפָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִתּוּגָ֑ה קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
BSAMy soulnephesh [the essence of a person] meltsdâlaph■ [to drip, weeping] with sorrowtûwgâh [grief, heaviness] strengthen meqûwm [establish, raise me up] according to Your worddâbâr [thing, matter, promise]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דָּלְפָ֣ה | it weeps | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| נַ֭פְשִׁי | self my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| מִתּוּגָ֑ה | from grief | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי | strengthen me | Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | according to word your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word. |
| KJV | My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. |
| ASV | My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word. |
| YLT | My soul hath dropped from affliction, Establish me according to Thy word. |
| WEB | My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. |
| BBE | My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word |
The translations agree on the rendering of דָּלְפָ֣ה as 'melts', indicating a consistent understanding of the psalmist's sorrow.
The structure is centered around the main clause, with additional phrases providing context for the psalmist's emotional state and his request for divine assistance.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbדָּלַף
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 119:28
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 — Meditation on God's Preceptsgenerated
Psalm 119:28 is part of a meditation where the psalmist reflects on the weight of sorrow and the need for divine strength. The surrounding verses emphasize a commitment to God's precepts and a desire for clarity and guidance in life. This section of Psalm 119 highlights the interplay between human emotion and the pursuit of God's truth, as the psalmist grapples with feelings of grief and seeks support through God's promises.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 22:14 | I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me. |
| 2 | Psalm 107:26 | They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. |
| 3 | Joshua 2:11–24 | When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. |
| 4 | Psalm 27:14 | Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD! |
| 5 | Psalm 29:11 | The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — דָּלְפָ֣ה, dal.Fahgenerated
The verb דָּלַף (dalaph) means 'to drip' or 'to weep', illustrating a state of emotional distress. It is used here to convey the psalmist's soul, or essence, melting away due to sorrow, emphasizing a deep, personal anguish.
This word is not merely about physical dripping; it symbolizes the outpouring of grief. The lexicons highlight its connection to weeping, which aligns with the emotional tone of the verse.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, the verse is read in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses 'melts' to capture the essence of דָּלְפָ֣ה.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb דָּלְפָ֣ה governs the sentence, indicating the subject's emotional state. The structure follows a pattern where the subject is introduced, followed by the cause of sorrow and the request for strength.
The sentence is built around the emotional plea, with the subject 'my soul' and the verbs 'melts' and 'strengthen me' clearly defining the psalmist's condition and request.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates דָּלְפָ֣ה as ἔσταχεν, which also conveys a sense of dripping or weeping. This choice reflects a direct connection to the emotional state expressed in the Hebrew.
The Greek term emphasizes the sorrowful nature of the psalmist's experience, aligning with the original Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:28 expresses the psalmist's deep sorrow, saying that his soul melts from grief. He asks God to strengthen him according to His word, showing a reliance on divine support in times of emotional pain.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is expressing a profound emotional pain, indicating that his very essence feels overwhelmed by sorrow.
He seeks strength to endure his sorrow and to remain faithful to God's precepts, indicating a reliance on divine support.
This verse reflects the broader themes of Psalm 119, which emphasizes the importance of God's word and the emotional struggles faced in adhering to it.
The psalmist's plea for strength shows the importance of seeking God's help in times of distress and the value of relying on His promises.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I felt overwhelmed by sorrow, and how did I seek strength during those times?
- How can I apply the psalmist's reliance on God's word to my own struggles?
- What are some practical steps I can take to meditate on God's precepts amidst emotional challenges?
- How does understanding the emotional depth of the psalmist enhance my reading of this verse?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers, such as Augustine of Hippo, referenced this verse to discuss the emotional struggles of obedience and the need for divine support.
Whence the Psalmist, struggling and wearied with the difficulty of obeying them, says, "My soul has slumbered for very heaviness: O establish Thou me with Your word!" [Psalms…Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy soul melteth for heaviness,.... Like wax before the sun or fire; or flows like water; drops (a), as the word signifies, and dissolves into tears, through grief and sorrow for sins committed; or by
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. My soul melteth for heaviness - owing to my sufferings, notwithstanding my adherence to thy Word. "Melteth" - literally ( daalªpaah (H1811)), droppeth.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleMelteth, like wax before the fire; it hath no strength nor consistency left in it, but consumeth or pineth away. For heaviness; through grief, partly for my extreme danger and misery; and principally for my sins, and thy wrath and terrors following upon them. Strengthen thou me, that so I may bear my burdens patiently and cheerfully, and vanquish all my temptations.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.Ver. 28. My soul melteth] Heb. droppeth away like water; I weep out my life, together with my grief. Strengthen thou me according to thy word] Support me by thy promise.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(28) Melteth—The Hebrew word is used in Ecclesiastes 10:18 of a dripping roof of a house; in Job 16:20 of weeping. The LXX. and Vulg. have “slumbered,” which suits far better with the next clause, which is literally, make me rise up. Symmachus has “distils.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 28. My soul melteth] דלף dalaph signifies to distil, to drop as tears from the eye. As my distresses cause the tears to distil from my eyes, so the overwhelming load of my afflictions causes my life to ebb and leak out.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. When my soul dissolves in tears (Job 16:20) for grief, strengthen me according to Thy promise.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy soul melteth - Margin, “droppeth.” The Hebrew word here employed - דלף dâlaph - means to drop, to drip, to distil, spoken of a house, as when the rain drops through the roof, Ecclesiastes 10:18;
Read Albert Barnes 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
My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
I collapse from grief. Sustain me by your word!
Tyndale line
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according to thy word.
My soule melteth for heauinesse: raise mee vp according vnto thy worde.
Strictly literal
My soul melteth for sadness: strengthen me according to thy word.
My soul hath dropped from affliction, Establish me according to Thy word.
My soul has dropped from affliction, || Establish me according to Your word.
My soul droppeth away from grief: sustain me according to thy word.
I am overwhelmed with grief! Strengthen me by your word.
Simplified
I'm weeping because I'm so sad; please encourage me as you promised.
My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word
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 agree on the wording of this verse, with all five words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls show some damage, but the key terms align with the Masoretic Text, indicating consistency across these ancient witnesses.
דָּלְפָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִתּוּגָ֑ה קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
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.
דלפה נפש׳י [מתוגה] [קימ׳ני] [כדבר׳כה]
2 words on the leather — 3 supplied entire by an editor.
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 119:28
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.
דָּלַף (dalaph) is a primitive root meaning to drip or drop. It can imply leaking or weeping, particularly in the context of tears. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to dripping and weeping, with no significant disagreement noted among the lexicons.
[דָּלַף] vb. drop, drip
base
H1811 דָּלַף
1811 dalaph daw-laf'
a primitive root; to drip; by implication, to weep:--drop
through, melt, pour out.
דָּלַף (da.laph) — to drip.
1) to drop, drip
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to leak
1a2) to weep (of tears)
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularHVqp3fs
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
תּוּגָה (tuwgah) refers to a state of grief or sorrow, often associated with a heaviness of spirit. It is derived from the root meaning to be depressed, and is noted in poetic contexts. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to emotional heaviness and sorrow.
תּוּגָה n.f. grief (poet.)
base
H8424 תּוּגָה
8424 tuwgah too-gaw'
from 3013; depression (of spirits); concretely a
grief:--heaviness, sorrow.
see HEBREW for 03013
תּוּגָה (tu.gah) — grief.
grief, heaviness, sorrow
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff — Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVpv2ms/Sp1bs
דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.
דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word
sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
sg. a word, words
sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
base
H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken
. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse
. sg. a word, words
. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks
1697 dabar daw-baw'
from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or
thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X
any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,
cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X
commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +
dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +
eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,
+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,
message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,
question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,
sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),
somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,
X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,
what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.
see HEBREW for 01696
דָּבָר (da.var) — word.
: word/speech/command
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.
: speaking
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.
: thing/matter
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.
: promised/duty
1) speech, word, speaking, thing
1a) speech
1b) saying, utterance
1c) word, words
1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)
דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.
: deed
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms