Psalms 119:40

KJV

¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I have longed {H8373} after thy precepts {H6490}: quicken {H2421} me in thy righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

See how I long for your precepts; in your righteousness, give me life!

Berean Standard Bible

How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.

American Standard Version

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. ו VAV.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:40 expresses the psalmist's profound and earnest desire for God's divine instructions, articulated as "precepts," coupled with an urgent plea for spiritual revitalization. This verse encapsulates a fundamental aspect of the believer's walk: a deep hunger for God's truth and an acknowledgment of complete dependence on His righteousness to impart life and strength for obedience. It is a prayer for divine enablement to live in accordance with the very commands one cherishes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic poem structured around the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each of its 22 letters. Each section, and indeed nearly every verse, extols the virtues, power, and necessity of God's law, using a rich variety of synonyms such as "word," "statutes," "commandments," "judgments," "testimonies," and "precepts." Verse 40 falls within the "Peh" (or "Pe") section (verses 119:137-144), which, like other sections, consistently features the psalmist's deep devotion to God's instructions and his fervent prayers for divine guidance and enablement to obey them. The preceding verses in the "Peh" section, for instance, emphasize God's righteousness and the psalmist's delight in His law, setting the stage for this passionate declaration and plea.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Psalms, including Psalm 119, emerged from the devotional life of ancient Israel. They reflect a culture where the Law (Torah) was central to national and individual identity, serving not merely as a set of rules but as God's revealed will, a covenantal guide for a flourishing life. The concept of "righteousness" (Hebrew: *tsedeq* or *tsedaqah*) was foundational, referring to God's inherent justice, faithfulness, and His adherence to His covenant promises. For an Israelite, longing for God's precepts was not just an intellectual exercise but a desire for alignment with the very character of God, the source of all life and order. The agricultural society understood the need for "quickening" (revitalization) as analogous to rain bringing life to parched land, a spiritual parallel to God's Spirit invigorating a weary soul.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **supremacy and sufficiency of God's Word**, portraying it as the object of intense desire and the foundation for life. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **human dependence on divine grace**; the psalmist's longing is paired with a recognition that spiritual vitality ("quicken me") is not self-generated but a gift from God, rooted in His character. This echoes the broader biblical truth that true life comes from God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")). Thirdly, the plea "in thy righteousness" emphasizes **God's faithfulness and justice as the basis for answered prayer**, reinforcing the idea that God's character is the ultimate guarantee of His life-giving power. This aligns with the consistent portrayal of God's righteousness as both a standard and a source of blessing throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 58:8](/isaiah/58-8 "Isaiah 58:8 - Your Righteousness Will Go Before You")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Longed after (Hebrew, _ta'av'_):** This verb conveys a strong, passionate desire, often bordering on craving or yearning. It's not a casual interest but a deep emotional and spiritual hunger for something essential, indicating an intense, fervent yearning for God's divine instructions. It suggests that the psalmist's desire for God's precepts is not merely intellectual assent but a profound, heart-level longing, akin to a physical craving.
* **Precepts (Hebrew, _piqqudim'_):** This term refers to God's specific commands or mandates, emphasizing their divine appointment and authority. Unlike general "laws" or "statutes," "precepts" often denote the detailed instructions given by God for guiding one's life. They are the particular charges or ordinances that God has laid upon His people, highlighting their precise and authoritative nature.
* **Quicken me (Hebrew, _chayah'_):** Meaning "to live," "to restore to life," or "to revive." In this context, it refers to spiritual vitality, deliverance from spiritual lethargy, or renewed strength to walk in God's ways. It's a prayer for God to infuse life where there might be spiritual death, weakness, or weariness, indicating a recognition of the psalmist's need for divine animation to truly obey and thrive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts":** The opening "Behold" (Hebrew: *hinneh*) serves as an exclamation, drawing attention to the psalmist's profound declaration. It highlights the intensity and sincerity of his desire. The phrase "I have longed after thy precepts" reveals an intense, fervent yearning for God's divine instructions. It's not a casual interest but a deep spiritual hunger for understanding and living by His truth, demonstrating a heart truly devoted to God's revealed will.
* **"quicken me in thy righteousness":** This is a direct, urgent plea for renewed life, vitality, or spiritual awakening. The psalmist recognizes his dependence on God to infuse him with the spiritual energy needed to walk in obedience. The concluding phrase "in thy righteousness" signifies that the psalmist appeals to God's just, faithful, and holy character as the basis for his request. He trusts that God, being righteous, will uphold His promises and grant the life and strength needed to follow His ways. God's righteousness is not merely a standard but the very source of life and empowerment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. The initial **Exclamation** "Behold" immediately captures the reader's attention and underscores the psalmist's earnestness. The phrase "I have longed after thy precepts" is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human desire and longing to the psalmist's relationship with abstract divine commands, thereby personalizing his devotion. It also contains elements of **Hyperbole**, as "longed after" suggests an almost insatiable craving, emphasizing the depth of his spiritual hunger. The subsequent plea, "quicken me," is a direct **Supplication** or prayer, reflecting a deep dependence on God. The phrase "in thy righteousness" functions as a **Metonymy**, where God's attribute (righteousness) stands for His character and covenant faithfulness, which is the ground for the psalmist's request for life. The entire verse demonstrates a profound **Parallelism of thought**, where the psalmist's fervent desire for God's word is intrinsically linked to his need for God's life-giving power, showing a holistic approach to spiritual vitality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:40 beautifully intertwines the themes of divine revelation and human dependence, presenting a model of spiritual yearning rooted in God's character. The psalmist's intense longing for God's precepts reflects a recognition that true life and wisdom are found only in aligning with the Creator's will. This passionate desire for God's word is not merely intellectual but deeply spiritual, acknowledging that the divine commands are not burdensome rules but life-giving truths. The subsequent prayer for "quickening" underscores the theological truth that spiritual vitality is not a self-generated human achievement but a gracious impartation from God, grounded in His unwavering righteousness. It highlights the dynamic interplay between human aspiration and divine enablement, where our desire for God's truth is met by His life-giving power, ensuring that obedience flows from a divinely enlivened spirit.

* [Psalms 1:2](/psalms/1-2 "Delight in the Law of the Lord")
* [Psalms 119:25](/psalms/119-25 "Prayer for Quickening According to God's Word")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "God Works In You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:40 offers a profound blueprint for our own spiritual lives, challenging us to examine the depth of our desire for God's Word. Do we truly "long after" His precepts with an intense, craving hunger, or do we approach them with indifference, seeing them as mere rules rather than life-giving truths? This verse reminds us that genuine spiritual vitality is not self-generated through willpower or discipline alone, but is a divine gift, a "quickening" that God bestows. When we feel spiritually dry, weary, or find ourselves struggling with obedience, this verse provides a powerful prayer: "Quicken me in thy righteousness." It is a humble acknowledgment of our dependence on God and His unwavering character to empower us to live a life pleasing to Him. This encourages a daily posture of seeking God's Word and relying on His life-giving power for strength and direction, especially in navigating the complexities and temptations of modern life, ensuring that our obedience flows from a heart made alive by His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How deeply do I truly "long after" God's precepts in my daily life? What does that longing look like practically?**
* **In what areas of my life do I feel a need for God to "quicken" or revive me spiritually?**
* **How does understanding God's righteousness as the basis for His life-giving power encourage me in prayer and obedience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper hunger for God's Word and a greater reliance on His quickening power?**

### FAQ
**What does "quicken me" mean in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: In a spiritual sense, "quicken me" (from the Hebrew *chayah*) is a plea for God to impart or restore spiritual life, vitality, and energy. It's a prayer for revival, for deliverance from spiritual lethargy, apathy, or deadness, and for renewed strength to obey God's commands and walk in His ways. It acknowledges that true spiritual life and the ability to live righteously are not inherent in humanity but are gifts from God, who is the ultimate source of life (e.g., [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life")).

**Why does the psalmist ask to be quickened "in thy righteousness"?**

Answer: The phrase "in thy righteousness" signifies that the psalmist is appealing to God's inherent character as the basis for his request. God's righteousness refers to His perfect justice, faithfulness, and unwavering adherence to His covenant promises. By appealing to God's righteousness, the psalmist trusts that God, being perfectly just and true to His nature, will uphold His promises to His people and provide the necessary life and strength to follow His ways. It implies that God's righteousness is not just a standard for humanity, but also a dynamic attribute that empowers and sustains life for those who seek Him (e.g., [Psalms 36:6](/psalms/36-6 "Psalms 36:6 - God's Righteousness as Mountains")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:40 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the living embodiment of God's precepts and the very source of spiritual quickening. While the psalmist longed for God's written word, believers now long for Christ, who is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He perfectly fulfilled every precept of God's law, living a life of absolute righteousness on our behalf ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Furthermore, the "quicken me" of the psalmist's prayer is answered definitively in Christ, who declares Himself to be "the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and who gives spiritual life to those who were dead in trespasses and sins ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). Our spiritual vitality and ability to walk in God's righteousness are not achieved through our own efforts but are entirely dependent on being united with Christ, for He has become our righteousness ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Thus, our longing for God's truth is satisfied in Him, and our need for spiritual life is met by His resurrection power, enabling us to live "in His righteousness" through faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

Psalms 119:20

¶ My soul breaketh for the longing [that it hath] unto thy judgments at all times.

Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 119:159

¶ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

2 Corinthians 7:1

¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Psalms 119:25

¶ DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.