CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/119-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/19_Psa_119_017.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 119:17 - Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/119-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/119-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/119.htm">Chapter 119</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/119-16.htm" title="Psalm 119:16">◄</a> Psalm 119:17 <a href="/psalms/119-18.htm" title="Psalm 119:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/119.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/119.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/119.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/119.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, <i>that</i> I may live, and keep thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/119.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your servant, <i>That</i> I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/119.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deal <i>generously</i> with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/119.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/119.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Thy servant, That I may live and keep Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/119.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your slave, That I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/119.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/119.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deal generously with your servant so that I might live; then I will keep your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/119.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/119.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />? GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; So will I observe thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/119.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Treat me with kindness, LORD, so that I may live and do what you say. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/119.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live; so will I observe thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/119.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Be kind to me so that I may live and hold on to your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/119.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live and obey your teachings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/119.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Deal kindly with your servant so I may live and keep your word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/119.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/119.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Be kind to your servant! Then I will live and keep your instructions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/119.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />GIMEL. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/119.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/119.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />GIMEL Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/119.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[GIMEL] Confer benefits on Your servant, "" I live, and I keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/119.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Gimel. Confer benefits on Thy servant, I live, and I keep Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/119.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Benefit to thy servant, I shall live and watch thy word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/119.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />[GIMEL] Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/119.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 118:17>GHIMEL. Repay your servant, revive me; and I will keep your words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/119.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Be kind to your servant that I may live, that I may keep your word. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/119.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your word.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/119.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />GAMEL. Answer thy servant, that I may live and keep thy words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/119.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Gimel Answer your Servant that I may live and keep your words.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/119.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, And I will observe Thy word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/119.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Render a recompense to thy servant: <i>so</i> shall I live, and keep thy words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/119-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=15049" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/119.htm">Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1580.htm" title="1580: gə·mōl (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; to treat a person, i.e. Benefit or requite; by implication, to ripen, i.e. to wean.">Deal bountifully</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">Your servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: ’eḥ·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf.h-1cs) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">that I may live</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: wə·’eš·mə·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">and keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">Your word.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-24.htm">Deuteronomy 6:24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-25.htm">James 1:25</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Proverbs 3:1-2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-21.htm">John 14:21</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-8.htm">Joshua 1:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-25</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1-3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-28.htm">Luke 11:28</a></span><br />But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-22.htm">Romans 7:22</a></span><br />For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-4.htm">Proverbs 4:4</a></span><br />he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-10.htm">John 15:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-5</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-11.htm">Psalm 19:11</a></span><br />By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live, and keep your word.</p><p class="hdg">deal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-65.htm">Psalm 119:65,124,132</a></b></br> TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/116-7.htm">Psalm 116:7</a></b></br> Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/11-6.htm">John 11:6</a></b></br> When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.</p><p class="hdg">I may live</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2-4</a></b></br> For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4,5,10</a></b></br> But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/titus/2-11.htm">Titus 2:11,12</a></b></br> For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/116-12.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/psalms/116-7.htm">Bountifully</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Confer</a> <a href="/psalms/109-21.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/psalms/118-29.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/118-17.htm">Live</a> <a href="/psalms/119-8.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/psalms/116-7.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/116-16.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/psalms/119-16.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/11-17.htm">Benefits</a> <a href="/psalms/142-7.htm">Bountifully</a> <a href="/luke/22-29.htm">Confer</a> <a href="/psalms/119-124.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/psalms/119-39.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/119-54.htm">Live</a> <a href="/psalms/119-34.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/psalms/119-22.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/psalms/119-23.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/psalms/119-22.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 119</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-1.htm">This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Aleph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Beth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-17.htm">Gimel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-25.htm">Daleth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-33.htm">He</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-41.htm">Waw</a></span><br><span class="reftext">49. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-49.htm">Zayin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">57. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-57.htm">Heth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">65. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-65.htm">Teth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">73. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-73.htm">Yodh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">81. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-81.htm">Kaph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">89. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-89.htm">Lamedh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">97. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-97.htm">Mem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">105. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Nun</a></span><br><span class="reftext">113. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-113.htm">Samekh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">121. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-121.htm">Ayin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">129. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-129.htm">Pe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">137. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-137.htm">Tsadhe</a></span><br><span class="reftext">145. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-145.htm">Qoph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">153. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-153.htm">Resh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">161. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-161.htm">Sin and Shin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">169. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/119-169.htm">Taw</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/119.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Deal bountifully</b><br />The Hebrew root for "deal bountifully" is "גָּמַל" (gamal), which conveys the idea of rewarding or treating someone generously. In the context of <a href="/psalms/119.htm">Psalm 119</a>, 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.<p><b>with Your servant</b><br />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.<p><b>that I may live</b><br />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 (<a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>).<p><b>and keep Your word</b><br />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 <a href="/psalms/119.htm">Psalm 119</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/119.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>GIMEL.</span><p>(17) <span class= "bld">Deal bountifully . . . that I may live.</span>--Comp. <a href="/psalms/13-3.htm" title="Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;">Psalm 13:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/13-6.htm" title="I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.">Psalm 13:6</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/116-7.htm" title="Return to your rest, O my soul; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.">Psalm 116:7-8</a>, where we see, as here, the same connection between this Hebrew word and preservation from death. <span class= "ital">Life </span>is connected with obedience to the Divine law throughout the Bible (<a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm" title="You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 18:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/6-24.htm" title="And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.">Deuteronomy 6:24</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/41-1.htm" title="Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.">Psalm 41:1-2</a>; <a href="/luke/10-28.htm" title="And he said to him, You have answered right: this do, and you shall live.">Luke 10:28</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/119.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy Word</span>; rather, <span class="accented">grant unto thy servant that I may live</span>. 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." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/119-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Deal bountifully</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּמֹ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(gə·mōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1580.htm">Strong's 1580: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">עַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your servant,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדְּךָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I may live</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽחְיֶ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(’eḥ·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> </span><span class="str2">To live, to revive</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and keep</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eš·mə·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your word.</span><br /><span class="heb">דְבָרֶֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/119-17.htm">Psalm 119:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/119-17.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 119:17 Do good to your servant (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/119-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 119:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 119:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/119-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 119:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 119:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>