Psalms 119:84

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 119:84 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
Psalms 119:84 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 119

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
84How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“How many [are] the days of thy servant? etc.] If this is to be understood of the days of his life, they were very few, as the days of every man be; and if of his days of joy and comfort, peace and prosperity, they were fewer still; but if of days of adversity and affliction, which seems to be the sense, they were many indeed; when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? good men have their persecutors; there is a judgment that will be executed on them, if not here, yet hereafter; it is a righteous thing with God to do it; it is often deferred when the saints, through zeal for the glory of God, and the honour of his justice, as well as for their own deliverance and comfort, are…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“How many are the days of thy servant? - I cannot hope to live long. I am sinking under my burdens. If I am, therefore, to see the accomplishment of my desires - my deliverance from my enemies and my troubles - it must be soon. This is not a desire to be told how long he was to live, as if it were an object of desire to know this, but it is a method of saying that he could not live long under these circumstances, and therefore he offered this earnest prayer that God would interpose and save him soon. When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? - How long shall this be delayed? I look for this; I expect it; I rely on thy promise that it shall be done; but if done so that I shall…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The days - The days of my life. I have but a little while to live; give me some respite before I die. Psalms 119:85”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How: Psa 39:4, Psa 39:5, Psa 89:47, Psa 89:48, Psa 90:12; Job 7:6-8 when: Psa 7:6; Rev 6:10, Rev 6:11 Psalms 119:85”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification