Psalms 119:77

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law [is] my delight.

Let thy tender mercies {H7356} come {H935} unto me, that I may live {H2421}: for thy law {H8451} is my delight {H8191}.

Show me pity, and I will live, for your Torah is my delight.

May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight.

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight.

Commentary

Psalms 119:77 is a heartfelt prayer from the psalmist, combining a desperate plea for God's life-giving compassion with a profound declaration of love for His divine instruction. It encapsulates the core relationship between the believer's devotion and God's sustaining grace.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible, an acrostic poem structured around the Hebrew alphabet, with each section of eight verses beginning with the same letter. It is a magnificent ode to God's law (Torah), celebrating its wisdom, truth, and life-giving power. Throughout the psalm, the author, often facing affliction or enemies, consistently turns to God's statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies as his comfort, guide, and source of hope. Verse 77, specifically, comes from the 'Ayin' section, where the psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's intervention amidst his distress, grounded in his unwavering commitment to God's word.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Need for Divine Mercy: The phrase "Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live" reveals the psalmist's utter dependence on God's compassion for his very existence and spiritual vitality. He acknowledges that true life, especially in times of trouble, comes only from God's active intervention and loving-kindness.
  • Delight in God's Law: The declaration "for thy law is my delight" is the foundation of his plea. It signifies that God's commands are not burdensome rules but a source of profound joy, comfort, and guidance. This delight is not merely intellectual assent but an affection of the heart that finds pleasure in God's revealed will. This profound joy in God's statutes echoes the blessed man described in Psalm 1:2, whose 'delight is in the law of the LORD'.
  • The Link Between Devotion and Grace: The verse suggests that while God's mercy is sovereign and unearned, a heart genuinely devoted to His word creates an open channel for receiving His grace and life. The psalmist's delight in the law is evidence of his relationship with God, making his appeal for mercy both sincere and fitting.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Tender mercies" (Hebrew: rachamim): This powerful Hebrew word often conveys deep, compassionate love, akin to a parent's affection for a child, or even a mother's womb-like compassion. It speaks of a profound, visceral empathy and pity. The psalmist's plea for 'tender mercies' emphasizes God's deep, compassionate love, akin to the mercy mentioned in Psalm 103:8.
  • "Law" (Hebrew: Torah): In this context, Torah refers not just to a set of legal codes but to God's entire body of instruction, teaching, and revelation. It encompasses His will and truth for humanity.
  • "Delight" (Hebrew: sha'ashu'a): This word signifies pleasure, amusement, or something one takes great joy in. It's a strong expression of heartfelt enjoyment and satisfaction, indicating that God's law is a source of spiritual pleasure for the psalmist.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless model for prayer and living:

  1. Pray for God's Mercy: In times of distress, uncertainty, or spiritual dryness, we are encouraged to boldly approach God, acknowledging our need for His compassion and life-giving presence.
  2. Cultivate a Love for God's Word: Our delight in God's Word should be genuine and active. When we find joy in studying, meditating on, and obeying His commands, it transforms our perspective and strengthens our faith. This delight is not a means to earn favor, but a natural outflow of a heart attuned to God.
  3. Connect Devotion with Dependence: The psalmist demonstrates that a life lived in devotion to God's truth is also a life that understands its profound dependence on God's grace for sustenance and ultimate salvation. Our commitment to His word positions us to receive His abundant mercies.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 1:2

    But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

  • Psalms 119:41

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

  • Psalms 119:174

    I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law [is] my delight.

  • Psalms 119:24

    ¶ Thy testimonies also [are] my delight [and] my counsellors.

  • Lamentations 3:22

    [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

  • Lamentations 3:23

    [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

  • Psalms 119:47

    And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.