Psalms 119:17

Commentary on Psalm 119:17 (KJV)

Psalm 119:17, part of the extensive acrostic psalm dedicated to the excellence of God's law, stands within the "GIMEL" section. This verse is a heartfelt prayer, expressing deep dependence on divine grace for both life and obedience.

Context

Psalm 119 is unique in its structure and theme, with every one of its 176 verses centered on God's Word—referred to by various synonyms like statutes, precepts, commandments, and judgments. It is an alphabetical psalm, meaning each eight-verse section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. "GIMEL" is the third section, following "ALEPH" and "BETH." In this section, the psalmist continues to express a profound love for God's law, acknowledging his own vulnerability and need for divine assistance to truly live and follow God's ways. The overall tone is one of devotion, meditation, and earnest petition for understanding and strength to keep God's commands.

Key Themes

• Divine Grace and Provision: The opening phrase, "Deal bountifully with thy servant," is a plea for God's generous favor and kindness. The psalmist recognizes that his very existence and ability to obey are not self-derived but gifts from God. This highlights a foundational biblical truth: our spiritual capacity is rooted in God's enabling grace, not human strength alone.
• The Intertwined Nature of Life and Obedience: The request "that I may live, and keep thy word" powerfully links spiritual vitality with adherence to God's commands. For the psalmist, true "life" is not merely physical existence but a flourishing, purposeful life lived in accordance with God's will. This resonates with the teaching that obedience to God's precepts leads to blessing and a full life in His presence. It's a recognition that spiritual life is sustained by actively engaging with and obeying God's truth.
• Humility of a Servant: The psalmist identifies himself as "thy servant," indicating a posture of humility, submission, and devotion to God. This self-identification underscores the understanding that he is not demanding, but humbly requesting the Lord's favor as one who serves Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "deal bountifully" is gamal (גָּמַל), which carries connotations of recompense, kindness, or dealing kindly. It implies a gracious and generous act, often in response to a previous action or simply out of benevolence. Here, it is a request for God's unmerited favor. The word for "live" is hayah (חָיָה), which means to exist, to be alive, but often in a rich, holistic sense encompassing spiritual flourishing and well-being, not just physical breath.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:17 offers a timeless prayer for believers today. It reminds us that our ability to live a godly life and keep God's word is not solely dependent on our own will or strength. Instead, it requires the continuous and bountiful grace of God. This verse encourages us to:

• Pray for Divine Enablement: Acknowledge our dependence on God for spiritual vitality and the strength to obey His commands. Our prayers should include petitions for God to work in us, enabling us to both will and do His good pleasure.
• Recognize the Source of True Life: Understand that genuine, fulfilling life is found in a relationship with God and obedience to His Word. It's not just about existence, but about living purposefully according to His design.
• Embrace a Servanthood Mindset: Approach God with humility, recognizing our place as His servants, eager to fulfill His will if He grants us the grace to do so.

This verse beautifully encapsulates the paradox of Christian living: we are called to strive for obedience, yet we are utterly dependent on God's grace to achieve it.