Psalms 119:28

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Psalms 119:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“My soul melteth - Margin, “droppeth.” The Hebrew word here employed - דלף dâlaph - means to drop, to drip, to distil, spoken of a house, as when the rain drops through the roof, Ecclesiastes 10:18; then, to shed tears, to weep, Job 16:20 - and this seems to be the meaning here. The idea of melting is not properly in the word, and the term weep would better express the meaning. His soul seemed to drop tears. It overflowed with tears. Yet there is an idea of abundant or constant weeping. It is not a gush of emotion, as when we say of one that he is “bathed in tears;” it is the idea of a steady flow or dropping of tears - slow, silent, but constant - as if the soul were dripping away or…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Melteth - Like wax before the fire. Psalms 119:29”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“soul: Psa 22:14, Psa 107:26; Jos 2:11, Jos 2:24 melteth: Heb. droppeth strengthen: Psa 27:14, Psa 29:11; Deu 33:25; Isa 40:29, Isa 40:31; Zac 10:12; Eph 3:16; Phi 4:13 Psalms 119:29”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification