Psalms 119:17

17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

Psalms 119:17 in Other Translations

17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

17 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.

17 Be kind to me so that I may live and hold on to your word.

17 Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word.

17 Be good to me, and I will live. I will obey your word.

Psalms 119:17 Meaning and Commentary

(g) , GIMEL.--The Third Part.

Psalms 119:17

GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant
Which character is mentioned, not by way of plea or argument for favour, but as expressive of modesty, sense of duty, and obligation to it. He pleads not his services by way of merit; but prays that God would deal bountifully with him, in a way of grace and mercy: or "render good" unto him, as the Targum; bestow it on him as a free gift. The Lord deals bountifully with men, when he gives himself unto them as their portion and inheritance; his Son, and all things along with him; his Spirit, and the graces of it; and every daily needful supply of grace;

[that] I may live, and keep thy word;
life natural is the bounty of God; he grants life and favour, he grants life as a favour, and all the mercies and blessings of it; and through the gracious dealings of God with his people, they live spiritually and live comfortably; in his favour is life; the life of faith is encouraged and invigorated in them by it; and eternal life is the free gift and bounty of God through Christ, by whom they have both a right unto it and meetness for it: and the desire of good men to live in this world is not to indulge themselves in carnal lusts and pleasures; not to live to themselves, nor to the lusts of the flesh, nor to the will of men; but to live soberly, righteously, and godly; to live by faith in Christ, and in hope of eternal life through him; and while they live to keep the word of God, and not forget it, as Aben Ezra interprets it, to lay it up for their own use, and preserve it for others, and observe its instructions, cautions, and directions.

Psalms 119:17 In-Context

15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 13:6; Psalms 116:7
• 2. ver 67; Psalms 103:20