Psalms 119:77 — Word Study
WLCיְבֹא֣וּנִי רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה כִּי־ תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַֽׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
BSAMay Your compassionracham [tender, gentle, mercies, loving-kindness] come to mebôwʼ▸ that I may livechâyâh▸ [have life, be revived] forkîy Your lawtôwrâh [instruction, teachings, Torah, divine guidance] [is] my delightshaʻshuaʻ [great, utmost, pleasure, joy]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יְבֹא֣וּנִי | let them come to me | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural, suffix |
| רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ | compassion your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה | so I may live | Conjunction, verb qal first person common singular |
| כִּי־ | for | Particle |
| תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ | law your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| שַֽׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃ | [is] delight my | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight. |
| KJV | Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. |
| ASV | Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight. |
| YLT | Meet me do Thy mercies, and I live, For Thy law [is] my delight. |
| WEB | Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. |
| BBE | Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight. |
All translations agree on the term used for רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse has one main clause with two subordinate clauses that express purpose and reason, indicating a clear structure in the psalmist's plea.
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 119:77
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 — A Prayer for Compassion and Lifegenerated
Psalm 119:77 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist, requesting God's compassion to come upon him so that he may live. This verse highlights the importance of divine mercy in sustaining life and emphasizes the joy found in God's law. The psalmist acknowledges that God's teachings are his delight, which provides a foundation for his request for compassion. This theme of longing for God's mercy and guidance recurs throughout the psalm, illustrating the relationship between divine compassion and human flourishing.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:41 | May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD, Your salvation, according to Your promise. |
| 2 | Psalm 51:1–3 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. |
| 3 | Lamentations 3:22–23 | Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. |
| 4 | Daniel 9:18 | Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. |
| 5 | Psalm 119:24–47 | Your testimonies are indeed my delight; they are my counselors. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ, ra.cha.Mei.khagenerated
The word רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ (raḥameikha) is derived from the root רַחַם (raḥam), which means 'womb' and symbolizes deep compassion or tender love. This noun in the construct state indicates possession, referring to 'your compassion.' The parsing shows it is a masculine plural noun with a suffix, indicating it belongs to God.
This term conveys a sense of nurturing care, often associated with God's feelings towards humanity. The psalmist's use of this word highlights the importance of divine mercy in his life, as he seeks revival through God's compassion.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In this study, we reference the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which uses compassion for רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse centers around one main verb, יְבֹא֣וּנִי (let them come to me), which governs the structure. It is followed by a clause that expresses the purpose of this request, וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה (that I may live), and concludes with a reason clause introduced by כִּי־ (for), stating that God's law is the psalmist's delight.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the requests for compassion and life, indicating their significance in the psalmist's relationship with God.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ as σου (your), maintaining the possessive aspect of God's compassion. This choice reflects a direct appeal to God's mercy, consistent with the original Hebrew intent.
The Greek rendering captures the essence of the psalmist's plea while adapting it to the linguistic and cultural context of the Greek-speaking audience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 119:77 expresses a plea for God's compassion to come to the psalmist so that he may live. This verse highlights the joy and importance of God's law in the psalmist's life, indicating that divine guidance is a source of delight and sustenance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is seeking God's tender love and mercy to sustain his life, indicating that he recognizes his dependence on divine compassion.
The psalmist finds joy and pleasure in God's law, viewing it as a source of guidance and moral instruction that enriches his life.
The request for compassion underscores the psalmist's understanding of the necessity of God's mercy for life and spiritual vitality.
This verse teaches us the importance of seeking God's compassion and recognizing the joy found in His teachings, which can guide us through life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's compassion in my life?
- How can I cultivate a deeper delight in God's law and teachings?
- What does it mean for me to seek God's mercy as the psalmist does?
- How can I share the joy of God's instructions with others?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Father Augustine of Hippo cites this verse to highlight the necessity of God's loving mercies for life.
But since those things are destined to happen after and through these, he next says, "O let Your loving mercies come upon me, and I shall live" [Psalms 119:77].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:77 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLet thy tender mercies come unto me,.... [See comments on Psalms 119:41]; that I may live; not merely corporeally; though corporeal life is a grant and favour, and the continuance of it; it is owing
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLet thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat I may live; that I may be preserved from that violent and untimely death which mine enemies design to bring upon me. For thy law is my delight; I humbly beg and expect thy protection, because I am thy faithful servant.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law [is] my delight.Ver. 77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, &c.] He repeateth the same thing in other words, and re-enforceth his request; showing that he could not live without divine comforts. For thy law is my delight] Thou hast my heart and goodwill; which showeth that I am thy workmanship in a spiritual sense also, Ephesians 2:10. Oh look upon the wounds of thine hands, and forget not the work of thine hands, as Queen Elizabeth prayed.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 77. Let thy tender mercies] רחמיך rachameycha, thy fatherly and affectionate feelings.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges77. thy tender mercies] Thy compassions (Psalms 119:156). Cp. Deuteronomy 13:17-18; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:7; Zechariah 1:16.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleLet thy tender mercies come unto me - See the notes at Psalms 119:41. That I may live - It is evident that this was uttered in view of some great calamity by which his life was threatened.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleé, Jod.73-80. I may learn thy commandments—The psalmist considers the value of broad and truthful experiences in the word as related to his influence upon others.
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
May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
May I experience your compassion, so I might live! For I find delight in your law.
Tyndale line
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Let thy tender mercies come to me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Let thy tender mercies come vnto me, that I may liue: for thy Lawe is my delite.
Strictly literal
Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
Meet me do Thy mercies, and I live, For Thy law [is] my delight.
Your mercies meet me, and I live, || For Your law [is] my delight.
Let thy mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
Show me compassion so that I may live, for your law is my delight.
Simplified
Be compassionate to me so I may live, for I love your teachings.
Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.
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 essential wording of Psalm 119:77, with both texts emphasizing the psalmist's request for God's compassion. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely with the Masoretic Text, although some words are restored by an editor.
יְבֹא֣וּנִי רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה כִּי־ תֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַֽׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃
6 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.
[יבאו׳ני] [רחמי׳ך] [ואחיה] כי תורת׳ך שעשע׳י
2 words on the leather — 1 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 119:77
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.
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine plural · suffixHVqi3mp/Sp1bs
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
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
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Conjunction · verb qal first person common singularHC/Vqu1cs
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
for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.
In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…
תּוֹרָה (towrah) encompasses concepts of direction, instruction, and law, particularly relating to divine or human guidance. It refers to legal directives, customs, and teachings, including the Decalogue and the Pentateuch. The entries highlight its use in various contexts, such as prophetic and priestly instruction, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
תּוֹרָה n.f. direction, instruction, law
instruction
law (prop. direction)
custom, manner
base
H8451 תּוֹרָה direction, instruction, law . instruction
. law (prop. direction)
. custom, manner
8451 towrah to-raw'
or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute,
especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.
see HEBREW for 03384
תּוֹרָה (to.rah) — instruction.
1) law, direction, instruction
1a) instruction, direction (human or divine)
1a1) body of prophetic teaching
1a2) instruction in Messianic age
1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction
1a4) body of legal directives
1b) law
1b1) law of the burnt offering
1b2) of special law, codes of law
1c) custom, manner
1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים (sha`shua`) refers to delight or enjoyment, derived from the root word for pleasure. It encompasses both the concept of delight itself and the objects that bring delight. The term appears in contexts that emphasize joy and satisfaction.
[שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים], שׁוּעִים– n.[m.]pl.intens. delight
base
H8191 [שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים], שׁוּעִים– delight
8191 sha`shua` shah-shoo'-ah
from 8173; enjoyment:--delight, pleasure.
see HEBREW for 08173
שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים (sha.shu.a) — delight.
1) delight, enjoyment
1a) delight
1b) object of delight
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bs