Psalms 119:58

KJV

¶ I intreated thy favour with [my] whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

KJV (with Strong's)

I intreated {H2470} thy favour {H6440} with my whole heart {H3820}: be merciful {H2603} unto me according to thy word {H565}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I beg your favor with my whole heart; show pity to me, in keeping with your promise.

Berean Standard Bible

I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.

American Standard Version

I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:58 is a profound and earnest prayer from the psalmist, expressing a deep and undivided desire for God's favor and an appeal for divine mercy. This heartfelt supplication is not based on personal merit but is firmly grounded in the unwavering reliability and covenant faithfulness of God's revealed word, highlighting a foundational trust in His character and promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each of the 22 letters. Each section, and indeed nearly every verse, extols the virtues, power, and comfort of God's "word" (using various synonyms like law, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, testimonies). Verse 58 falls within the "Peh" section (verses 41-48 in some translations, though KJV's verse numbering places it later in the overall chapter), which often emphasizes the psalmist's longing for God's salvation and mercy, coupled with a renewed commitment to obeying His commands. This particular verse serves as a direct, personal plea, demonstrating how the general reverence for God's word translates into specific, desperate supplication. It follows expressions of commitment to God's ways and precedes further declarations of trust and dependence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalmist, likely an Israelite living under the Mosaic covenant, would have understood "the word" of God not merely as written text but as the living, active revelation of God's will and character, given through Moses and the prophets. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, seeking the "favor" or "face" of a king or deity often involved humble prostration, fervent petitions, and sometimes offerings, all aimed at securing benevolent regard. The concept of "mercy" (חֶסֶד, *hesed*) was deeply embedded in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, signifying God's steadfast love, loyalty, and compassion, especially towards His chosen people. The psalmist's appeal to God's word for mercy would have resonated with the understanding that God's promises and character, not human performance, were the ultimate basis for hope and salvation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout Psalms 119 and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **wholehearted devotion** to God, emphasizing that true seeking of God's favor requires an undivided heart, echoing the greatest commandment to love God with all one's being (cf. [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord with all your heart") and [Matthew 22:37](/matthew/22-37 "Matthew 22:37 - The Great Commandment")). It powerfully demonstrates **reliance on God's revealed truth**, portraying God's word as the unshakeable foundation for all petitions and expectations of divine intervention. The psalmist's confidence that God will act "according to thy word" underscores the **faithfulness of God** and the **efficacy of His promises**, a theme consistently affirmed throughout Scripture, such as in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void") where God declares His word will accomplish its purpose. Finally, the verse is a direct appeal for **divine mercy**, acknowledging human need for grace and God's compassionate nature, a consistent attribute of the Lord revealed from the exodus narrative (e.g., [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Intreated thy favour (Hebrew, _ḥālîtî fānêḵā'_):** This phrase, literally "I have made thy face sick" or "I have softened thy face," is an idiom expressing intense, fervent, and persistent supplication. It conveys the idea of earnestly imploring, seeking to appease, or making an urgent plea before someone, particularly by seeking their direct presence or benevolent regard. It suggests a desperate, almost pleading effort to gain the attention and goodwill of the one addressed, indicating the psalmist's profound need and the depth of his prayer.
* **Whole heart (Hebrew, _bĕḵol-lēḇî'_):** This signifies complete sincerity, undivided attention, and total devotion. It is not a casual or half-hearted request, but one that emanates from the deepest core of the psalmist's being. In biblical anthropology, the "heart" (לֵב, *lev*) is the seat of intellect, will, emotion, and moral character. Thus, to seek God with one's "whole heart" implies a unified, unreserved commitment of one's entire inner self to the pursuit of God's favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I intreated thy favour with my whole heart":** This opening clause establishes the psalmist's posture of earnest and sincere supplication. The use of "whole heart" emphasizes the intensity and totality of his desire to gain God's goodwill and acceptance. It is a prayer born not of ritual or obligation, but of a deep, personal yearning for communion and blessing from the Divine. This is an active, persistent seeking, indicating that the psalmist has poured out his entire being into this plea.
* **"be merciful unto me according to thy word":** This second clause reveals the specific content of the psalmist's petition—a request for God's mercy—and, crucially, the *basis* for that request. The appeal for mercy is not grounded in the psalmist's own merit or perceived righteousness, but solely in God's own revealed promises and character, as articulated in His "word." This demonstrates profound faith, recognizing that God's mercy is a promised attribute and that He is faithful to His declarations. It is an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness, trusting that He will act consistently with what He has already revealed about Himself.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:58 employs several literary devices that enhance its impact. The most overarching device for the entire Psalm is its **Acrostic** structure, though not directly evident within this single verse, it contributes to the Psalm's methodical and comprehensive praise of God's word, framing each individual verse as a deliberate meditation. Within verse 58 itself, the psalmist uses **Supplication** as the primary mode of communication, a direct and earnest appeal to God. The phrase "with my **whole heart**" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute sincerity and complete devotion of the psalmist's prayer, rather than a literal physiological state. The direct address "thy favour" and "unto me" is an example of **Apostrophe**, a figure of speech where the speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or an abstract quality, in this case, God. The structure of the verse itself, moving from the human act of "intreating" to the divine response of "mercy," and grounding that mercy in "thy word," demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship, where the psalmist's faith-filled prayer (cause) anticipates God's promised mercy (effect).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:58 serves as a powerful theological statement on the nature of prayer, divine mercy, and the authority of God's word. It teaches that authentic prayer is characterized by wholehearted sincerity and a humble recognition of our dependence on God's grace. The psalmist's confidence in appealing to God "according to thy word" highlights a profound truth: God's promises are not merely suggestions but binding declarations that form the very foundation of our hope and petitions. This verse invites believers to ground their deepest needs and desires in the unchanging character and reliable promises of God, fostering a prayer life that is both fervent and faith-filled, trusting that God will act in accordance with His revealed will.

* [Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 "Psalm 51:1 - A Plea for Mercy")
* [Daniel 9:18](/daniel/9-18 "Daniel 9:18 - Daniel's Prayer for Mercy")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:58 offers a timeless model for our own prayer lives, calling us to a deeper level of sincerity and reliance on God's promises. It challenges us to examine the posture of our hearts when we approach God: are our petitions truly "wholehearted," or are they casual and perfunctory? The psalmist's example reminds us that our confidence in prayer stems not from our own worthiness, but from the unshakeable faithfulness of God's revealed word. When we pray, we are invited to boldly appeal to God's character and His specific promises, knowing that He delights to show mercy to those who seek Him according to His will. This verse encourages a profound engagement with Scripture, for the more we know God's word, the more precisely and confidently we can pray "according to thy word," aligning our desires with His divine purposes and trusting in His abundant grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's favor and mercy with your "whole heart"?**
* **How does knowing God's specific promises from His Word strengthen your confidence and focus your prayers?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more sincere and undivided heart in your prayer life?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "intreat thy favour with my whole heart"?**
Answer: To "intreat thy favour" means to earnestly and fervently seek God's goodwill, approval, and benevolent presence. The phrase "with my whole heart" emphasizes that this seeking is not superficial or half-hearted, but comes from the deepest, most sincere part of one's being. It signifies a complete devotion and an undivided focus in approaching God, pouring out one's entire self in the petition. This echoes the biblical command to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, indicating that true prayer engages every aspect of our inner person.

**How can I pray "according to thy word" if I don't know the Bible well?**
Answer: Praying "according to thy word" means aligning your requests with God's revealed will and promises found in Scripture. If you are new to the Bible or feel unfamiliar with it, start by regularly reading and meditating on passages that speak of God's character, His mercy, and His promises, such as the Psalms, the Gospels, or the epistles. You can begin with simple prayers like, "Lord, be merciful to me as you promised in [Psalm 51:1](/psalms/51-1 'Psalm 51:1 - A Plea for Mercy')" or "Help me to love you with all my heart, as you command in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 'Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord with all your heart')." As you grow in your knowledge of Scripture, your prayers will naturally become more informed and confident, grounded in what God has already declared. The Holy Spirit also helps us to pray according to God's will, even when we don't know what to say ([Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:58 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's earnest plea for mercy, grounded in God's word, points forward to the one who perfectly embodied God's word and became the ultimate expression of divine mercy. While the psalmist sought favor and mercy based on God's covenant promises, we now approach God through the perfect intercession of Jesus, who is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "wholehearted" seeking of God's favor is now made possible by Christ's finished work on the cross, which opened the way for us to [draw near to the throne of grace with confidence](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"), to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus Himself is the living "Word" (Logos) incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")). Thus, when we pray for mercy "according to thy word," we are ultimately appealing to the mercy revealed and secured by Christ, the faithful and true witness, who perfectly fulfilled every promise and provided the ultimate ground for God's boundless compassion towards us.

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

Psalms 119:41

¶ VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, [even] thy salvation, according to thy word.

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Psalms 119:170

Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Psalms 119:10

¶ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

1 Kings 13:6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.

Psalms 27:8

[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Psalms 4:6

¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.