TRV
Translation
KJV (with Strong's)
World English Bible Messianic
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
Young's Literal Translation
This is my comfort in mine affliction, That Thy saying hath quickened me.
In the KJVVerse 15,949 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 119 verse 50
50 ¶ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
Here is David's experience of benefit by the word. 1. As a means of his sanctification: "Thy word has quickened me. It made me alive when I was dead in sin; it has many a time made me lively when I was dead in duty; it has quickened me to that which is good when I was backward and averse to it, and it has quickened me in that which is good when I was cold and indifferent." 2. Therefore as a means of his consolation when he was in affliction and needed something to support him: "Because thy word has quickened my at other times, it has comforted me then." The word of God has much in it that speaks comfort in affliction; but those only may apply it to themselves who have experienced in some measure the quickening power of the word. If through grace it make us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions, under all events.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 50. Public domain.
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Hilary of PoitiersAD 367
HOMILY ON PSALM 118
We are instructed in all this, but the prophet has already experienced it. He says, “This hope has consoled me in my humility, for your word has given me life.” The hope is the hope that God has implanted in him. It has consoled him “in his humility,” that is, when he is spurned, mocked, vexed by injustices, dishonored by insults, for he knows that he is soldiering through his present trials. But the hope instilled by the Lord consoles him in these wars endured in his weakness, and he is lent life by the utterances of God. By these he knows that the glory of his weakness is outstanding in heaven. He knows that his soul, renewed by the utterances of God, contains within it, so to say, the nourishment of eternal life. He lives by God’s utterances and is untroubled by the empty fame of the proud, for he knows that his need is richer than their wealth. He knows that his fasting is abundantly fed by the blessing of heaven and the gospel, that his humility will be rewarded by the glorious prize of honor. So he added, “The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 119
"The same is my comfort in my humiliation" [Psalm 119:50]. Namely, that hope which is given to the humble, as the Scripture says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble." Whence also our Lord Himself says with His own lips, "For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." We well understand here that humiliation also, not whereby each man humbles himself by confessing his sins, and by not arrogating righteousness to himself; but when each man is humbled by some tribulation or mortification which his pride deserved; or when he is exercised and proved by endurance; [Sirach 2:4-5] whence a little after this Psalm says, "Before I was troubled, I went wrong."...And the Lord Jesus, when He foretold that this humiliation would be brought upon His disciples by their persecutors, did not leave them without a hope; but gave them one, whereby they might find comfort, in these words: "In your patience shall you possess your souls;" and declared even of their very bodies, which might be put to death by their enemies, and seemingly be utterly annihilated, that not a hair of their heads should perish. [Luke 21:17-18] This hope was given to Christ's Body, that is, to the Church, that it might be a comfort to Her in her humiliation....This hope He gave in the prayer which He taught us, where He enjoined us to say, "Lead us not into temptation:" [Matthew 6:13] for He in a manner implicitly promised that He would give to His disciples in their danger that which He taught them to ask for in their prayers. And indeed this Psalm is rather to be understood to speak of this hope: "For Your word has quickened me." Which they have rendered more closely who have put not "word," but "utterance." For the Greek has λόγιον, which is "utterance;" not λόγος, which is "word."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 119:50 succinctly captures the psalmist's profound reliance on God's divine revelation as the ultimate source of solace and spiritual renewal amidst personal suffering. In a life marked by affliction, the psalmist declares that God's word—His precepts, statutes, and promises—provides not merely comfort but actively imparts life and vitality, reviving a weary soul and sustaining faith through hardship. This verse stands as a testament to the dynamic and transformative power of Scripture to bring spiritual quickening and steadfast hope in the face of adversity.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. Metaphor is evident in the portrayal of God's word as a source of "comfort" and as that which "quickens" or gives life. The abstract concept of divine revelation is likened to a tangible life-giving force, providing sustenance and revival. There is also an implicit Cause and Effect relationship, where the "quickening" power of God's word is presented as the direct cause of the psalmist's comfort in affliction. Furthermore, the psalmist's personal declaration, "This is my comfort," employs Testimony, offering a direct, experiential witness to the word's efficacy. The entire psalm, including this verse, is an extended example of Acrostic Poetry, where the structured alphabetical arrangement itself serves as a literary device emphasizing the comprehensive and ordered nature of God's law.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:50 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's word is not merely a set of rules or historical accounts, but a living, active, and life-giving revelation of His character and will. It underscores God's compassionate nature, demonstrating that He provides His people with the spiritual resources necessary to endure and even thrive amidst suffering. The comfort derived from His word is rooted in His unchanging promises, His faithfulness, and the assurance of His sovereign control. This divine comfort is not a denial of pain but an infusion of hope and strength that transcends circumstances, enabling the believer to find spiritual vitality even when physically or emotionally depleted.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 119:50 serves as a timeless anchor in the storms of life. When faced with personal struggles, grief, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness, God's written word remains an unchanging, ever-present source of strength, comfort, and renewal. This verse calls us to actively engage with Scripture, not as a passive exercise, but as a vital encounter with the living God who speaks. It encourages us to immerse ourselves in the Bible, trusting in its divine origin and inherent power to sustain us, revive our spirits, and provide a steadfast hope that transcends our fleeting circumstances. In doing so, we discover that God's word is not just a guide for life, but the very source of life itself, capable of quickening our souls and comforting us in every affliction.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "quickened" mean in a spiritual sense within this verse?
Answer: In Psalms 119:50, "quickened" (from the Hebrew châyâh) means to be made alive, revived, or restored to spiritual vitality. It signifies more than just physical resuscitation; it refers to the infusion of divine life and energy into a soul that may be languishing, despairing, or spiritually weak due to affliction. God's word acts as a dynamic agent, bringing about spiritual renewal, invigorating faith, and restoring a vibrant relationship with God. It implies a transformation from a state of spiritual sluggishness or near-death to one of active, thriving spiritual life and purpose. This quickening is a work of the Holy Spirit through the Word, as echoed by Jesus in John 6:63.
How can God's word be a "comfort" when I'm suffering?
Answer: God's word provides comfort in suffering in several profound ways. Firstly, it offers divine perspective, reminding us of God's sovereignty, His unchanging character, and His ultimate purposes, which transcend our immediate pain. Secondly, it contains unfailing promises of His presence, faithfulness, and future hope, assuring us that we are not alone and that our suffering is not meaningless. Thirdly, it reveals God's empathy, showing us how He has comforted His people throughout history and how Christ Himself suffered. Fourthly, it directs us to prayer and worship, providing the language and framework for expressing our pain and finding solace in communion with God. Finally, the very act of engaging with Scripture can be a spiritual discipline that shifts our focus from our circumstances to the eternal truths of God, thereby quickening our spirit and providing an inner peace that the world cannot give, as Jesus promised in John 14:27.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:50, with its declaration of God's word as the source of comfort in affliction and spiritual quickening, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the living Word of God, who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). All the promises and life-giving power of God's written word are embodied in Him. Jesus Himself is the supreme Comforter for the afflicted, inviting all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). His words are not merely instructions but "spirit and life" (John 6:63), capable of imparting eternal life to those who believe (John 10:10). Through His death and resurrection, Christ "quickened" us, making us alive together with Him even when we were dead in our trespasses (Ephesians 2:4-5). Thus, the comfort and life experienced by the psalmist through God's written word are fully realized and made accessible to us through the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Word who brings true comfort and eternal life.