Psalms 119:88 — Word Study
WLCכְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃
BSARevive mechâyâh [quicken, give life] according to Your loving devotionchêçêd [kindness, mercy, lovingkindness] that I may obeyshâmar [keep, observe, be ruled by] the testimonyʻêdûwth [witness, instruction] of Your mouthpeh [lip, command]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ | according to covenant loyalty your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| חַיֵּ֑נִי | preserve alive me | Verb piel imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה | so let me keep | Conjunction, verb qal infinitive construct first person common singular |
| עֵד֥וּת | [the] testimony of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| פִּֽיךָ׃ | mouth your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth. |
| KJV | Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. |
| ASV | Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth. ל LAMEDH. |
| YLT | According to Thy kindness quicken Thou me, And I keep the testimony of Thy mouth! |
| WEB | Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMEDH |
| BBE | Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth. LAMED |
Where they part company is in their rendering of the actions of revival and obedience — see How Translations Differ.
One main verb with a purpose clause indicating the desired outcome of revival. The structure emphasizes the relationship between God's mercy and the psalmist's obedience.
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 119:88
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 Plea for Revitalizationgenerated
Psalms 119:88 expresses a heartfelt request for God to revive the psalmist according to His steadfast love, enabling obedience to His commandments. This plea comes after a verse reflecting on near destruction, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and support. The context reveals a deep reliance on God's mercy and a desire to adhere to His teachings, which is a recurring theme throughout this psalm.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 119:25–40 | My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word. |
| 2 | Psalm 119:2–146 | Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. |
| 3 | Psalm 25:10 | All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees. |
| 4 | Psalm 78:5 | For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, |
| 5 | Psalm 132:12 | If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חַיֵּ֑נִי, chai.Ye.nigenerated
The verb חָיָה (chayah) means to live or have life, indicating a plea for revival and restoration. It encompasses both literal and figurative senses of life, often used in contexts where God sustains or revives individuals.
In this verse, the imperative form emphasizes urgency, as the psalmist seeks immediate action from God to restore life. This reflects a deep dependence on God's power to give life and sustain faith.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses revive to convey the action of restoring life.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb חַיֵּ֑נִי governs the verse, with a prepositional phrase indicating the basis for this request, followed by a clause that expresses the intended outcome of obedience. The structure highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between God's actions and the psalmist's response.
The order of the Hebrew words places emphasis on the plea for revival first, underscoring its urgency, followed by the motivation of God's loving devotion, and concluding with the aim of obedience to God's testimony.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חַיֵּ֑נִי with με, indicating a direct plea for life. This choice reflects a straightforward rendering of the Hebrew, focusing on the personal nature of the request.
The Greek translation captures the essence of the Hebrew text while maintaining its emphasis on the psalmist's dependence on God's mercy for revitalization.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 119:88 expresses a plea for God to revive the psalmist based on His loving kindness, enabling him to obey God's commands. This reflects a deep reliance on God's mercy and a desire to follow His teachings.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is seeking spiritual and physical restoration, relying on God's lovingkindness to bring life back into his situation.
God's loving devotion provides the foundation for the psalmist's ability to obey His commands, indicating that divine support is essential for faithfulness.
The term 'testimony' refers to God's laws and instructions, highlighting the importance of adhering to divine guidance as part of the psalmist's response to revival.
The psalmist indicates a state of distress and near destruction, emphasizing the need for God's intervention to restore life and purpose.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need revival, and how can I seek God's lovingkindness?
- How can I better obey God's commands in response to His mercy?
- What does it mean to me to rely on God's testimony in my daily life?
- How can I support others who are seeking revival and restoration in their faith?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentary on this verse highlights the psalmist's plea for revival through God's mercy, emphasizing the connection to obedience.
And that She might persevere unto the end, "O quicken me," he says, "after Your loving mercy: and so shall I keep the testimonies of Your mouth" [Psalms 119:88];Early Church Fathers on Psalms 119 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 119:88 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleQuicken me after thy lovingkindness,.... According to it, and with it; let me have some discoveries of it, and of interest in it; and that will quicken me, revive and comfort me, under all the
Read John Gill on Psalms 119 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryQuicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. Quicken me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 119 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHeb. and I will keep. I will testify my gratitude to thee by my obedience.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 119 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.Ver. 88. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness] David under long affliction had his dumps and dullnesses; as the best faith, if long tried, will flag aud hang the wing. He, therefore, rouseth up himself, and wrestleth with God for quickening grace; which he promised to improve, and not to receive the grace of God in vain; "so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth."
Read John Trapp on Psalms 119 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 88. Quicken me] Make and keep me alive. So shall I keep] Without the spiritual life there is no obedience; we must therefore rise from the dead, and be quickened by the Spirit of Christ. ANALYSIS OF LETTER CAPH. - Eleventh Division I. In this section the psalmist laments his being grieved with some inward anguish. II. Complains of his enemies. III. Expresses his hope and constancy; and, IV. Prays to God for comfort and grace. I. 1. He begins with a sad complaint: "My soul fainteth." As the body will fail if it want natural food, so will the soul if it get not the bread of life. 2. His eyes also failed with looking up. The blessing was long delayed. 3. Yet he hoped in God's word. He…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 119 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges88. If he is to continue glorifying God by the observance of His law, God must preserve his life, and free it from the hindrances which impede its devotion to His service.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 119 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleQuicken me - Cause me to live; revive me. See Psalms 71:20, note; Ephesians 2:1, note. Compare Psalms 80:18; Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18; John 6:63. After thy loving-kindness - Thy mercy; thy grace; thy compassion.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 119 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleë, Caph. 81-88. My soul fainteth—Affliction and trial are again upon him. “The clouds return after the rain.” The exact point of the grief is expressed in Psalms 119:83.
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
Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.
Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMEDH
Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.
Revive me with your loyal love, that I might keep the rules you have revealed.
Tyndale line
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth. ל LAMEDH.
Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
Revive me after thy loving-kindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
Quicken me according to thy louing kindnes: so shall I keepe the testimony of thy mouth.
Strictly literal
Quicken me according to thy loving-kindness, and I will keep the testimony of thy mouth.
According to Thy kindness quicken Thou me, And I keep the testimony of Thy mouth!
Quicken me according to Your kindness, || And I keep the Testimony of Your mouth!
According to thy kindness give me life, that I may observe the testimony of thy mouth.
By your steadfast love, keep me alive, so that I may obey your commands.
Simplified
Since you love me with your trustworthy love, don't let me die, so I can go on following the instructions you have given. Lamedh
Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth. LAMED
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 largely agree, with four out of five words matching. The Dead Sea Scrolls also support the Masoretic Text, showing consistency in the plea for revival and obedience.
כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃
4 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.
כחסד׳כה חונ׳ני ואשמורה עדוות פי׳כה
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 119:88
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.
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/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
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
Conj | V-Qal-1cs — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive construct first person common singularHC/Vqc1cs
עֵדוּת (eduwth) is a feminine noun meaning 'testimony' or 'witness.' It is derived from the root word עֵד (ed), which also relates to the concept of testimony. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in legal and religious settings.
עֵדוּת 19 and עֵדֻת 27 n.f. testimony
base
H5715 עֵדוּת, עֵדֻת testimony
5715 `eduwth ay-dooth'
feminine of 5707; testimony:--testimony, witness.
see HEBREW for 05707
עֵדוּת (e.dut) — testimony.
testimony
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word פֶּה (*peh*) means 'mouth' and encompasses various meanings, including the mouth of a person or animal, as well as openings or orifices. It can also refer to speech, edges, and portions. Additionally, it denotes a weight equal to one third of a shekel, found in 1 Samuel 13:21.
פֶּה 485 n.m. mouth
mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
external organ
much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
as laughing; panting
of God
of idols
of musical instr. = sound
of animals; hence of edge of sword
mouth = opening, orifice
extremity, end
= portion
with preps.
base
H6310 פֶּה mouth . . mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking
. external organ
. . much oftener, as organ of speech, of man
. as laughing; panting
. of God
. of idols
. of musical instr. = sound
. of animals
. mouth = opening, orifice
. . extremity, end
. = portion
. with preps.
6310 peh peh
from 6284; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether
literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically
edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition)
according to:--accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment,
assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end, entry, +
file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should)
say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, X spoken, talk,
tenor, X to, + two-edged, wish, word.
see HEBREW for 06284
פֶּה (peh) — lip.
: lip/mouth
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: edge.
: edge
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
פֶּה (peh) — lip: word.
: word/command
peh
1) mouth
1a) mouth (of man)
1b) mouth (as organ of speech)
1c) mouth (of animals)
1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)
1e) extremity, end pim
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms