Psalm 119:17
New International Version
Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

New Living Translation
Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

English Standard Version
Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

Berean Standard Bible
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.

King James Bible
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

New King James Version
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.

New American Standard Bible
Deal generously with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.

NASB 1995
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.

NASB 1977
Deal bountifully with Thy servant, That I may live and keep Thy word.

Legacy Standard Bible
Deal bountifully with Your slave, That I may live and keep Your word.

Amplified Bible
Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].

Christian Standard Bible
Deal generously with your servant so that I might live; then I will keep your word.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word.

American Standard Version
? GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.

Contemporary English Version
Treat me with kindness, LORD, so that I may live and do what you say.

English Revised Version
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; so will I observe thy word.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be kind to me so that I may live and hold on to your word.

Good News Translation
Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live and obey your teachings.

International Standard Version
Deal kindly with your servant so I may live and keep your word.

Majority Standard Bible
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.

NET Bible
Be kind to your servant! Then I will live and keep your instructions.

New Heart English Bible
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

Webster's Bible Translation
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

World English Bible
GIMEL Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[GIMEL] Confer benefits on Your servant, "" I live, and I keep Your word.

Young's Literal Translation
Gimel. Confer benefits on Thy servant, I live, and I keep Thy word.

Smith's Literal Translation
Benefit to thy servant, I shall live and watch thy word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
[GIMEL] Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
GHIMEL. Repay your servant, revive me; and I will keep your words.

New American Bible
Be kind to your servant that I may live, that I may keep your word.

New Revised Standard Version
Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
GAMEL. Answer thy servant, that I may live and keep thy words.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Gimel Answer your Servant that I may live and keep your words.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, And I will observe Thy word.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Render a recompense to thy servant: so shall I live, and keep thy words.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
16I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. 18Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 6:24
And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes and to fear the LORD our God, that we may always be prosperous and preserved, as we are to this day.

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; / for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

John 14:21
Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.

Luke 11:28
But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Romans 7:22
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.

Proverbs 4:4
he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.

John 15:10
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

1 John 2:3-5
By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:

Psalm 19:11
By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.


Treasury of Scripture

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

deal.

Psalm 119:65,124,132
TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word…

Psalm 116:7
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

John 11:6
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

I may live

Romans 8:2-4
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…

Ephesians 2:4,5,10
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, …

Titus 2:11,12
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, …

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














Deal bountifully
The Hebrew root for "deal bountifully" is "גָּמַל" (gamal), which conveys the idea of rewarding or treating someone generously. In the context of Psalm 119, this plea is a humble request for God's abundant grace and favor. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God’s generosity is not just material but spiritual, providing wisdom and understanding. The psalmist's request is rooted in the understanding that God’s blessings enable a life of obedience and devotion.

with Your servant
The term "servant" here is "עֶבֶד" (eved) in Hebrew, which denotes a position of humility and submission. The psalmist identifies himself as a servant of God, acknowledging God's sovereignty and his own role in serving His purposes. This reflects a deep relationship where the psalmist is committed to following God's commandments. Historically, being a servant of God was a position of honor, as it implied a close relationship with the divine, akin to figures like Moses and David.

that I may live
The phrase "that I may live" is not merely about physical existence but encompasses a life of spiritual vitality and purpose. In Hebrew, "חָיָה" (chayah) means to live or to have life. The psalmist seeks a life enriched by God's presence and guidance. This reflects the biblical understanding that true life is found in communion with God, aligning with Jesus' teaching in the New Testament that He came to give life abundantly (John 10:10).

and keep Your word
The desire to "keep Your word" underscores the psalmist's commitment to obedience and faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "keep" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to guard, observe, or give heed. This reflects a proactive and diligent effort to live according to God's statutes. In the historical context of Israel, keeping God's word was central to the covenant relationship, ensuring blessings and favor. The psalmist's plea is for the ability to live a life that honors God through adherence to His commandments, which is a recurring theme throughout Psalm 119.

GIMEL.

(17) Deal bountifully . . . that I may live.--Comp. Psalm 13:3; Psalm 13:6; Psalm 116:7-8, where we see, as here, the same connection between this Hebrew word and preservation from death. Life is connected with obedience to the Divine law throughout the Bible (Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 6:24; Psalm 41:1-2; Luke 10:28). . . .

Verse 17. - Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy Word; rather, grant unto thy servant that I may live. Give me the blessing of a long life, that so my keeping of thy Word may be long. The psalmist seems to be praying especially for himself; but the argument of his prayer will extend to all "servants of the Lord."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Deal bountifully
גְּמֹ֖ל (gə·mōl)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1580: To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen

with
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your servant,
עַבְדְּךָ֥ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

that I may live
אֶֽחְיֶ֗ה (’eḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and keep
וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה (wə·’eš·mə·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

Your word.
דְבָרֶֽךָ׃ (ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:17 Do good to your servant (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:16
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