Psalms 119:50

KJV

¶ This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is my comfort {H5165} in my affliction {H6040}: for thy word {H565} hath quickened {H2421} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

In my distress my comfort is this: that your promise gives me life.

Berean Standard Bible

This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.

American Standard Version

This is my comfort in my affliction; For thy word hath quickened me.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is a monumental acrostic poem, the longest chapter in the Bible, meticulously structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 sections comprises eight verses, all beginning with the same Hebrew letter, consistently exalting various aspects of God's divine instruction (e.g., law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, word). Verse 50 falls within the "Cap" (כ, _kaph_) section (verses 41-48), where the psalmist expresses a longing for God's steadfast love and salvation, a desire to speak of God's testimonies before kings without shame, and a delight in God's commandments. This immediate context underscores the psalmist's deep personal devotion and public commitment to God's word, setting the stage for its role as comfort in affliction. The preceding verse (119:49) is a prayer for God to remember His word to His servant, "upon which thou hast caused me to hope," directly linking hope in God's promises to the comfort found in verse 50.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The context of Psalm 119 is largely a timeless expression of Israelite piety, emphasizing the centrality of the Torah (God's instruction/law) in the life of a devout believer. While not tied to a specific historical event, the psalm reflects the common experience of the righteous facing various forms of distress, opposition, or spiritual languishing within ancient Israel. In a society where God's law was understood as the covenant foundation for life and blessing, the psalmist's unwavering commitment to it, even amidst affliction, speaks to a deep-seated cultural and spiritual conviction. The "affliction" mentioned could range from personal sorrow, physical illness, social ostracism, or persecution for one's faith, all common experiences for those striving to live righteously in a fallen world. The response—turning to God's word—was the prescribed and practiced method of finding solace and guidance, reflecting the belief that divine revelation was both authoritative and existentially vital.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout Psalm 119 and indeed, much of Scripture. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Comfort in Affliction**, portraying God's word as the primary source of solace and stability when earthly circumstances are difficult. This is a recurring motif, as seen in how God is described as the "God of all comfort" in [2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - God of All Comfort"). Secondly, the phrase "thy word hath quickened me" introduces the profound theme of **The Life-Giving Power of God's Word**. It signifies that God's word is not merely informative or consoling, but actively imparts life, vitality, and spiritual renewal, capable of reviving a weary soul and strengthening one's faith. This dynamic nature of Scripture is echoed in [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God"), where it is stated that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." Finally, the verse speaks to **Sustenance and Revival**, implying that God's word serves as spiritual nourishment, enabling the believer to persevere and thrive even in moments of spiritual dryness or despair, offering a pathway to renewed vigor and purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Comfort (Hebrew, _nacham'_):** The Hebrew word נָחַם (_nacham_) carries a range of meanings including "to be sorry, to repent, to console oneself, to be comforted." In this context, it refers to the deep solace, relief, and consolation that the psalmist receives. It's not a superficial ease but a profound inner peace and strength that counteracts the distress of affliction. This comfort is active and restorative, enabling endurance rather than merely alleviating pain.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _'oni'_):** The Hebrew word עֳנִי (_'oni_) denotes "affliction, misery, poverty, oppression." It describes a state of suffering, hardship, or distress. The psalmist's declaration that God's word is his comfort *in* this state emphasizes that the word does not necessarily remove the affliction but provides the necessary spiritual resources to navigate and endure it, transforming the experience from one of despair to one of sustained hope.
* **Quickened (Hebrew, _chayah'_):** The Hebrew verb חָיָה (_chayah_) is central to the verse's meaning. It fundamentally means "to live, to revive, to preserve life, to make alive." In a spiritual context, as here, it signifies more than mere physical resuscitation; it points to spiritual revitalization, renewal, and the imparting of vital energy. The psalmist implies that his spirit was languishing, perhaps near death due to his affliction, but God's word brought him back to a vibrant, living relationship with God, infusing him with fresh spiritual life and vigor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This is my comfort in my affliction":** The demonstrative "This" refers directly to God's word, which is the subject of the entire psalm and explicitly mentioned in the subsequent clause. The psalmist identifies God's word as the singular, unwavering source of comfort amidst his personal suffering, highlighting its unique efficacy in providing solace where other sources might fail. It's a declaration of absolute reliance and a testimony to the word's power to sustain the soul through hardship.
* **"for thy word hath quickened me":** This clause provides the reason ("for") why God's word is the psalmist's comfort. The word "quickened" reveals the active, life-giving power of God's revelation. It implies a transformation from a state of spiritual deadness, despair, or profound weakness to one of renewed life, vitality, and spiritual strength. God's word is not passive information; it is a dynamic force that actively revives, restores, and empowers the believer to live and thrive even in the midst of affliction.

#### 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.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Words of Christ are Spirit and Life")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")

### 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
* **How do you actively seek comfort and life from God's Word in times of personal affliction or spiritual dryness?**
* **In what specific ways has God's Word "quickened" or revived your spirit, providing fresh perspective and renewed hope?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your engagement with Scripture, allowing it to be a more consistent source of comfort and life in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**What does "quickened" mean in a spiritual sense within this verse?**

Answer: In Psalms 119:50, "quickened" (from the Hebrew _chayah_) 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](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life").

**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](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Peace").

### 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). 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](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). His words are not merely instructions but "spirit and life" ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Life")), capable of imparting eternal life to those who believe ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")). 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](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - Made Alive in Christ")). 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.

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

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

Psalms 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalms 28:7

The LORD [is] my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalms 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Jeremiah 15:16

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Hebrews 6:17

Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: