Psalms 119:28

28 My soul melteth for sadness: strengthen me according to thy word.

Psalms 119:28 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:28

My soul melteth for heaviness
Like wax before the sun or fire; or flows like water; drops ^F1, as the word signifies, and dissolves into tears, through grief and sorrow for sins committed; or by reason of Satan's temptations, or divine desertions, or grievous troubles and afflictions; which cause heaviness, lie heavy, and press hard;

strengthen thou me according unto thy word;
to oppose corruptions, withstand temptations, bear up under trials and afflictions, and do the will of God. And the word of God is a means of strengthening his people to do these things; it is the spiritual bread which strengthens man's heart, and in the strength of which, like Elijah, he walks many days, and goes from strength to strength: and there are many gracious words of promise, which may be pleaded with God to this purpose; that he will help, strengthen, and uphold his people; that he will renew their strength, and that as their day is their strength shall be.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F1 (hpld) "stillavit"; Pagninus, Montanus; "distillet", Vatablus; "stillat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis.

Psalms 119:28 In-Context

26 I have declared my ways, and thou hast answered me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts, and I will meditate upon thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth for sadness: strengthen me according to thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of falsehood, and graciously grant me thy law.

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; thy judgments have I set [before me].

Footnotes

• [a]. Others translate, 'raise me up.'