TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I made my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart: be mercifull vnto me according to thy promise.
Young's Literal Translation
I appeased Thy face with the whole heart, Favour me according to Thy saying.
In the KJVVerse 15,957 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 119 verse 58
58 ¶ I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
David, having in the foregoing verse reflected upon his covenants with God, here reflects upon his prayers to God, and renews his petition. Observe, 1. What he prayed for. Having taken God for his portion, he entreated his favour, as one that knew he had forfeited it, was unworthy of it, and yet undone without it, but for ever happy if he could obtain it. We cannot demand God's favour as a debt, but must be humble suppliants for it, that God will not only be reconciled to us, but accept us and smile upon us. He prays, "Be merciful to me, in the forgiveness of what I have done amiss, and in giving me grace to do better for the future." 2. How he prayed - with his whole heart, as one that knew how to value the blessing he prayed for. The gracious soul is entirely set upon the favour of God, and is therefore importunate for it. I will not let thee go except thou bless me. 3. What he pleaded - the promise of God: "Be merciful to me, according to thy word. I desire the mercy promised, and depend upon the promise for it." Those that are governed by the precepts of the word and are resolved to keep them (Psa 119:57) may plead the promises of the word and take the comfort of them.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 58. Public domain.
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Aphrahat the Persian SageAD 345
DEMONSTRATIONS 4:17
In petition one asks for mercy for one’s sins, in thanksgiving you give thanks to your Father who is in heaven, while in praise you praise him for his works. At a time when you are in trouble, offer up petition, and when you are well supplied with good things, you should give thanks to the Giver, and when your mind rejoices, offer up praise. Make all these prayers of yours with discernment to God. See how David was always saying, “I have risen to give thanks to you for your judgments, O just One.” And in another psalm he said, “Praise the Lord in heaven, praise him in the heights.” Again he says, “I will bless the Lord at all times, and at all times his praises are in my mouth.” Do not pray using only one kind of prayer, but pray them at different times.
Basil of CaesareaAD 379
HOMILY AGAINST THOSE PROVE TO ANGER
Let each of these considerations find entrance into your mind and check the swollen growth of wrath. By such preparations and by acquiring such dispositions, we quiet the leaping and throbbing of the heart and restore it to tranquil steadiness. This, indeed, is the implication in the words of David: “I am ready and am not troubled.” You must, therefore, repress the violent and frenzied movement of the soul by recalling the example of saintly people. How gently, for instance, the mighty David bore the fury of Shimei. He did not allow himself to grow angry but turned his thoughts to God, saying, “The Lord has bid him curse David.”
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Letter 82
The possession of God is owed to such as these, as Isaiah says: “This is the inheritance of those who believe in the Lord.” Very aptly does he say, “This is the inheritance,” for that alone is the inheritance; there is no other. The inheritance is not a treasure that people stumble on blindly, and passing things have not the quality of an inheritance. The only inheritance is that in which God is the portion, as the Lord’s holy one says: “God is my inheritance,” and again: “I have become an heir of your precepts.” You see what are the possessions of the just person: God’s commandments, his words, his precepts. In these he is rich; on these he feeds; with these he is delighted as if by all riches.
John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 30:17
Accordingly, let us condition ourselves to not be easily distracted from the task of approaching God constantly with our prayers day and night, and especially at night. Night is the time when there is no one to hinder us, when there is great peace of mind, when there is complete repose. It is also the time when all turmoil is left outside the house, when no one is likely to put us off or distract us from entreaty, and when our mind happens to be set at rest and is able to propose everything precisely to the physician of souls. I mean, if blessed David, king as he was as well as inspired author and beset with so many worries, clad in mantle and crown, could say, “At midnight I rise to praise you for the rulings of your justice,” what should we say who, despite leading a private and carefree life, do not even do the same as he? In other words, since by day he had much on his mind, a great mass of business, terrible confusion, and could not find a suitable time for the proper kind of prayer, he prayed during the time of respite that others devote to sleep, lying on soft beds, tossing and turning. On the contrarythe king, though caught up in such responsibility, devoted the time to prayer, conversing privately with God, directing sincere entreaties to him of the most intense kind, and thus he achieved whatever he set his mind to. Through these prayers he was successful in wars, inflicting defeat and adding victory to victory. He enjoyed, you see, an invincible weaponry, an ally from on high sufficient not merely for battles conducted by human beings but also for the cohorts of the demons.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 119
Let us hear what follows: "I have promised to keep Your law." What means, "My portion, O Lord: I have promised to keep Your law" [Psalm 119:57]; save because the Lord will be each man's portion then, when he has kept His law? Consider therefore what he subjoins: "I entreated Your face, with my whole heart:" and saying in what manner he prayed: "O be merciful," he says, "unto me, according to Your word" [Psalm 119:58]. And as if he had been heard and aided by Him whom he prayed unto, "I thought," he says, "on my own ways, and turned away my feet unto Your testimonies" [Psalm 119:59]. That is, I turned them away from my own ways, which displeased me, that they might follow Your testimonies, and there might find a path. For most of the copies have not, "Because I thought," as is read in some; but only, "I thought." But what is here written, "and I turned away my feet:" some read, "Because I thought, Thou also hast turned away my feet:" that this may rather be ascribed to the grace of God, according to the Apostle's words, "For it is God who works in us." [Philippians 2:13] ...
Isaac of NinevehAD 700
ASCETICAL HOMILIES 75
Prayer offered up at night possesses a great power, more so than the prayer of the daytime. Therefore all the righteous prayed during the night, while combating the heaviness of the body and the sweetness of sleep and repelling corporeal nature. And this the prophet also says, “I toiled in my groaning; every night I will wash my bed, with tears will I water my couch,” while he sighed in fervent prayer. And again, “At midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee for the judgments of Thy righteousness.” And for every entreaty for which they urgently besought God, they armed themselves with the prayer of night vigil, and at once they received their request.
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 119:58 presents a heartfelt and earnest prayer from the psalmist, expressing an intense, undivided desire for God's favor and a fervent appeal for divine mercy. This profound supplication is not rooted in personal merit or human achievement but is firmly anchored in the unwavering reliability and covenant faithfulness of God's revealed word, underscoring a foundational trust in His unchanging character and unfailing promises.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 119:58 employs several literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. While the overarching Acrostic structure of the entire Psalm provides a methodical framework for praising God's word, within this specific verse, the primary mode of communication is Supplication, a direct and earnest appeal to God. The phrase "with my whole heart" functions as a form of Emphasis or Hyperbole, underscoring the absolute sincerity and complete devotion of the psalmist's prayer, conveying a totality of engagement rather than a literal physiological state. The direct address "thy favour" and "unto me" is an instance of Apostrophe, a figure of speech where the speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or an abstract quality, in this case, God Himself. Furthermore, the two clauses of the verse, moving from the human act of "intreating" to the divine response of "mercy," and grounding that mercy in "thy word," demonstrate a clear Cause and Effect relationship, where the psalmist's faith-filled prayer (the cause) anticipates God's promised mercy (the effect).
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:58 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer, divine mercy, and the supreme authority of God's word. It teaches that authentic prayer is characterized by wholehearted sincerity and a humble recognition of our absolute dependence on God's grace. The psalmist's confidence in appealing to God "according to thy word" highlights a foundational truth: God's promises are not merely suggestions or possibilities but binding declarations that form the very bedrock of our hope and the legitimate basis for our 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 deeply faith-filled, trusting that God will act in accordance with His revealed will and His own compassionate nature.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:58 offers a timeless and powerful model for our own prayer lives, calling us to a deeper level of sincerity, earnestness, and unwavering reliance on God's promises. It challenges us to examine the posture of our hearts when we approach God: are our petitions truly "wholehearted," reflecting a deep, undivided yearning for His presence and intervention, or are they casual, perfunctory, or merely intellectual exercises? The psalmist's example reminds us that our confidence in prayer stems not from our own worthiness, performance, or perceived righteousness, but solely 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 in alignment with His will. This verse encourages a profound and continuous 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 implicitly in His abundant and unfailing grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to "intreat thy favour with my whole heart"?
Answer: To "intreat thy favour" means to earnestly, fervently, and persistently seek God's goodwill, approval, and benevolent presence. It implies a humble and desperate appeal for His gracious attention and positive regard. The phrase "with my whole heart" profoundly emphasizes that this seeking is not superficial, half-hearted, or divided, but emanates from the deepest, most sincere, and undivided part of one's being. It signifies a complete devotion and an unreserved 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, reflecting a singular desire for God above all else.
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 and expectations with God's revealed will and promises as found in Scripture. If you are new to the Bible or feel unfamiliar with its contents, begin by regularly reading and meditating on passages that speak clearly of God's character, His mercy, His faithfulness, and His promises. Start with accessible books like the Psalms, the Gospels, or the epistles. You can begin with simple, yet profound, prayers such as, "Lord, be merciful to me as you have promised in Psalm 51:1" or "Help me to love you with all my heart, as you command in Deuteronomy 6:5." As you consistently engage with Scripture, your knowledge of God's character and His promises will grow, and your prayers will naturally become more informed, confident, and aligned with His divine purposes. Remember, the Holy Spirit also graciously helps us to pray according to God's will, even when we don't know exactly what to say (Romans 8:26-27).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:58 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of 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 to Israel, believers now approach God through the perfect intercession and atoning sacrifice of Jesus, who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Our "wholehearted" seeking of God's favor and mercy is now made possible, effective, and acceptable by Christ's finished work on the cross, which opened the way for us to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, enabling us to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Jesus Himself is the living "Word" (Logos) incarnate, the divine revelation of God in human flesh (John 1:1), through whom all God's promises, including those of mercy and favor, find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Thus, when we pray for mercy "according to thy word," we are ultimately appealing to the boundless mercy revealed, secured, and poured out through Christ, the faithful and true witness, who perfectly fulfilled every promise and provided the ultimate and eternal ground for God's boundless compassion towards us.