Psalms 119:50 — Word Study
WLCזֹ֣את נֶחָמָתִ֣י בְעָנְיִ֑י כִּ֖י אִמְרָתְךָ֣ חִיָּֽתְנִי׃
BSAThiszôʼth [specifically, the fact that you care] is my comfortnechâmâh [consolation, solace] in afflictionʻŏnîy [trouble, misery, hardship] thatkîy Your promiseʼimrâh [word, saying] has given me lifechâyâh■ [revived me, quickened me, to live]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| זֹ֣את | this | Particle |
| נֶחָמָתִ֣י | [is] comfort my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| בְעָנְיִ֑י | in affliction my | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּ֖י | that | Particle |
| אִמְרָתְךָ֣ | word your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| חִיָּֽתְנִי׃ | it has preserved alive me | Verb piel perfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life. |
| KJV | This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. |
| ASV | This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me. |
| YLT | This [is] my comfort in mine affliction, That Thy saying hath quickened me. |
| WEB | This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me. |
| BBE | This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life. |
The translations agree on the meaning and intent of the verse, focusing on comfort derived from God's promise.
The sentence is structured around a main clause, with a prepositional phrase and a causal clause providing context and explanation.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectזֹאת
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 119:50
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 Comfort of God's Promisegenerated
Psalm 119:50 reveals the psalmist's reliance on God's promise as a source of comfort during affliction. This verse is part of a larger reflection on how God's words provide hope and life, as seen in the surrounding verses. The psalmist contrasts his experience of comfort with the derision faced from the arrogant, emphasizing the importance of divine assurance amidst trials.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 27:13 | Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. |
| 2 | Psalm 28:7 | The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song. |
| 3 | Psalm 42:8–11 | The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. |
| 4 | Psalm 94:19 | When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 15:16 | Your words were found, and I ate them. Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight. For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 15 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נֶחָמָתִי, ne.cha.ma.Tigenerated
The word נֶחָמָה (nechamah) signifies comfort or consolation, derived from the root נָחַם (nacham), which relates to providing solace. In this context, it highlights the emotional relief the psalmist finds in God's promise during hardship.
As a noun in the construct state, it indicates a personal connection to the comfort experienced, emphasizing that this comfort belongs to the psalmist, making it a deeply personal and intimate expression of reliance on God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the essence of the verse, conveying that God's promise is the source of comfort and life for the psalmist during affliction.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is חִיָּתְנִי, it has given me life, which governs the entire sentence. The structure consists of a noun phrase indicating the subject, followed by a prepositional phrase that describes the state of affliction, and concludes with a clause that explains the source of comfort.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the comfort as the subject, followed by the affliction, and concludes with the promise, highlighting the relationship between these elements.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נֶחָמָתִי as με, indicating a direct connection to the comfort experienced. This choice reflects a similar understanding of the emotional support derived from God's word.
The Greek term used in the Septuagint aligns with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the theme of divine consolation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:50 expresses that the psalmist finds comfort in God's promise during times of trouble. This comfort gives him life, highlighting the importance of God's words in difficult situations.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist refers to the emotional relief and solace he finds in God's promises during times of hardship.
God's promise revives and sustains the psalmist, providing hope and strength amidst affliction.
The context emphasizes the contrast between suffering and the comfort derived from faith in God's word.
We can find solace and strength in God's promises, which can sustain us through difficult times.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced comfort from God's promises during my own hardships?
- How can I apply the psalmist's reliance on God's word in my life?
- What are some specific promises in Scripture that provide me comfort?
- How can I support others who are going through affliction, as the psalmist did?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers reference this verse to highlight the comfort found in God's word, illustrating its significance in their teachings.
We are instructed in all this, but the prophet has already experienced it. He says, “This hope has consoled me in my humility, for your word has given me life.” The hope is the hope that God has implanted in him.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
"The same is my comfort in my humiliation" [Psalms 119:50]. Namely, that hope which is given to the humble, as the Scripture says: "God resists the proud,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:50 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis [is] my comfort in my affliction,.... David had his afflictions, and so has every good man; none are without; it is the will and pleasure of God that so it should be; and many are their
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThis is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me - thy word of promise of salvation has given me life, when I was giving way to despair.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis, to wit, thy word, as is evident both from the foregoing and following words. Hath quickened me; hath preserved my life in manifold dangers, and hath revived and cheered my spirit.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:50 This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.Ver. 50. This is my comfort] The promises yield strong consolation. Philosophical comforts are of little force, as Plato acknowledgeth, and Cicero bewaileth in his Epistle to Octavius For thy word hath quickened me] When I was at last cast, and drawing my last breath, as it were.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersZAIN. (50) Comfort.—As in Job 6:10, where the same noun occurs, its only other use. We might render, “This is my comfort, that thy word quickeneth me.”
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 119 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 50. This is my comfort] While enduring our harsh captivity, we anticipated our enlargement; and thy word of promise was the means of keeping our souls alive.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges50. This] i.e. Thy word, if the rendering for is retained in the next line. But it is better to render, This is my comfort … that thy word &c. Past experience of the life-giving sustaining power of God’s promise is his comfort in affliction.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThis is my comfort in my affliction - Compare Romans 15:4. The word here rendered “comfort” occurs only here and in Job 6:10.
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
This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
This is what comforts me in my trouble, for your promise revives me.
Tyndale line
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath revived me.
It is my comfort in my trouble: for thy promise hath quickened me.
Strictly literal
This is my comfort in mine affliction; for thy *word hath quickened me.
This [is] my comfort in mine affliction, That Thy saying hath quickened me.
This [is] my comfort in my affliction, || That Your saying has quickened me.
This is my comfort in my affliction, that thy promise hath revived me.
This is my comfort in my affliction: that your promise has kept me alive.
Simplified
This is what brings me encouragement in my misery—your promise keeps me going!
This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.
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 is consistent with the Septuagint in meaning, though the word order differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain partial restorations, but the core message of comfort from God's promise remains intact.
זֹ֣את נֶחָמָתִ֣י בְעָנְיִ֑י כִּ֖י אִמְרָתְךָ֣ חִיָּֽתְנִי׃
4 of the 6 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.
זאות [נחמת׳י] [בעני׳י] [כי] אמרת׳ך חית׳ני
nothing on the leather here — 3 partly restored, 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 119:50
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.
זֹאת (zot) is a demonstrative pronoun and adverb meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone or be used in apposition to a noun, often serving as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns to add emphasis. In poetry, it may function as a relative pronoun, though this is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2063 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2063 zo'th zothe'
irregular feminine of 2089; this (often used adverb):--
hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she,
so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing),
thus.
see HEBREW for 02089
זֹאת (zot) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Pron — ParticleHTm
נֶחָמָה (nechamah) means 'comfort' or 'consolation.' It is derived from the root נָחַם (nacham), which relates to the idea of providing solace. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning as comfort without significant variation.
[נֶחָמָה] n.f. comfort
base
H5165 נֶחָמָה
5165 nechamah nekh-aw-maw'
from 5162; consolation:--comfort.
see HEBREW for 05162
נֶחָמָה (ne.cha.mah) — comfort.
comfort
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
עֳנִי (oniy) refers to affliction, poverty, and misery. It is derived from the root word עָנָה (H6031), which relates to depression or trouble. The entries consistently emphasize its meanings related to suffering and hardship.
עֳנִי n.m. affliction, poverty
base
H6040 עֳנִי affliction, poverty
6040 `oniy on-ee'
from 6031; depression, i.e. misery: --afflicted(-ion),
trouble.
see HEBREW for 06031
עֳנִי (o.ni) — affliction.
1) affliction, poverty, misery
1a) affliction
1b) poverty
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'
כִּי conj. that, for, when
that
Of time, when, of the past
elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
Because, since
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that
. . Of time, when, of the past
. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם
. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though
. Because, since
H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
3588 kiy kee
a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional
prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent
or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative
conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by
other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,
where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,
even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +
nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,
therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,
whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
כִּי (ki) — for.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if
1f) but rather, but
1g) except that
1h) only, nevertheless
1i) surely
1j) that is
1k) but if
1l) for though
1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
1b) even though
כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.
1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since
1a) that
1a1) yea, indeed
1b) when (of time)
1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)
1c) because, since (causal connection)
1d) but (after negative)
Conj — ParticleHTc
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/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-Perf-3fs | Suff — Verb piel perfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVpp3fs/Sp1bs
