Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord - They are many, or multiplied. The word rendered "tender mercies" is the same which occurs in Psalm 40:11; Psalm 51:1; Psalm 69:16; Psalm 79:8; Psalm 103:4. See the notes at Psalm 25:6.

Quicken me ... - See Psalm 119:149.

Great are thy tender mercies - They are רבים rabbim, multitudes. They extend to all the wretchednesses of all men.

Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord,.... Not his providential mercies only, which are many and undeserved, and constantly repeated; but his special mercies in Christ, which flow from the tenderness of his heart; and his merciful lovingkindness to his people, and which are great or many (f), as to quantity; there being a multitude of them, not to be reckoned up: and for quality they are wonderful beyond expression and conception; proceed from unmerited love, rich, free, sovereign grace, and last for ever;

quicken me according to that judgments; See Gill on Psalm 119:149.

(f) "multae", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Michaelis.

Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy {b} judgments.

(b) According to your promise made in the law, which because the wicked lack they have no hope of salvation.

Great: or, Many

156. (See on [634]Ps 119:149).

119:153-160 The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we have of deliverance. Christ is the Advocate of his people, their Redeemer. Those who were quickened by his Spirit and grace, when they were dead in trespasses and sins, often need to have the work of grace revived in them, according to the word of promise. The wicked not only do not God's statutes, but they do not even seek them. They flatter themselves that they are going to heaven; but the longer they persist in sin, the further it is from them. God's mercies are tender; they are a fountain that can never be exhausted. The psalmist begs for God's reviving, quickening grace. A man, steady in the way of his duty, though he may have many enemies, needs to fear none. Those that hate sin truly, hate it as sin, as a transgression of the law of God, and a breaking of his word. Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of love. All, in every age, who receive God's word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful.