Psalms 119:107

Psalm 119:107 (KJV) presents a poignant prayer from the psalmist, expressing deep personal suffering while simultaneously articulating a profound reliance on God's divine word for restoration and renewal. This verse encapsulates a common human experience of distress paired with a steadfast faith in the Lord's ability to revitalize.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem dedicated entirely to extolling the excellence and life-giving power of God's law, statutes, precepts, and word. Throughout its 176 verses, the psalmist continually expresses devotion to God's commands, often amidst significant personal affliction and opposition. Verse 107 fits seamlessly into this pattern, demonstrating that even in the deepest valleys of suffering, the believer's hope and petition for revival are rooted firmly in God's revealed truth. It echoes similar sentiments found within this same psalm, such as Psalm 119:25, "My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word."

Key Themes

• Honest Prayer in Affliction: The opening declaration, "I am afflicted very much," is a raw and honest confession of severe distress. It highlights the psalmist's willingness to lay bare his suffering before God, a model for all believers facing hardship.
• Reliance on God's Word for Life: The core of the plea, "quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word," underscores that the source of spiritual and even physical vitality is God's divine instruction. It’s not merely comfort or wisdom, but life itself that flows from His promises.
• Divine Quickening and Revival: This verse is a cry for spiritual resuscitation. The psalmist acknowledges that true strength and renewal come not from human effort or external circumstances, but through God's active intervention, mediated by His unchanging word.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "quicken me" comes from the Hebrew verb ḥāyâ (חָיָה), which means "to live," "to revive," "to restore life," or "to preserve alive." It implies a deep need for invigoration, a fresh infusion of life where there might be spiritual or physical weariness, despair, or even a sense of approaching death. This isn't just about feeling better, but about receiving life from the ultimate source. The psalmist is asking God to breathe life into his afflicted state, consistent with the life-giving nature of God's declarations, as seen in passages like John 6:63, "the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

Practical Application

Psalm 119:107 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. When facing overwhelming difficulties, physical ailments, emotional despair, or spiritual dryness, our first and most potent recourse is prayer to the Lord. Furthermore, this prayer should be deeply rooted in God's written Word. It teaches us that:

• It's acceptable and necessary to express our deepest afflictions honestly to God.
• The Bible is not just a book of rules, but a living source of spiritual vitality and strength.
• When we feel depleted, we should seek God's "quickening" power, trusting that He will revive us according to His faithful promises.

This verse encourages a posture of humble dependence on God, whose Word is the ultimate source of life and renewal in all circumstances.