Psalms 119:170 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:170 mean?

Psalms 119:170 is a prayer asking God to listen to the psalmist’s earnest request and to rescue him, just as God has promised in His word. The verse expresses a deep trust that God will act faithfully according to what He has said.

In this verse, the writer (traditionally understood to be David or another devoted Israelite) is speaking directly to God, pleading for help. The situation is one of need or distress, and the psalmist’s confidence rests on God’s promises found in Scripture. The verse highlights both the personal nature of prayer and the importance of relying on God’s word as the basis for hope and deliverance.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:170

• תְּחִנָּה (teḥinnah, “supplication”): This word carries the sense of a heartfelt plea or earnest request, often made in humility. It shows the psalmist is not demanding but humbly asking for God’s attention.
• נָצַל (natsal, “deliver”): This verb often refers to being rescued from trouble or danger. The psalmist is seeking real relief or salvation, not just comfort.
• דָּבָר (davar, “word”): This term means God’s spoken or written promise. By appealing to God’s “word,” the psalmist is grounding his request in what God has already said, not just in his own desires.

Why Psalms 119:170 matters

• This verse clarifies that the psalmist’s confidence is not in his own merit but in God’s promises; the request for deliverance is based on God’s word, not personal worthiness.
• The verse emphasizes the relational aspect of prayer—speaking directly to God and expecting a response in line with God’s revealed character and commitments.
• Psalms 119:170 fits into the larger theme of Psalm 119, where the writer repeatedly turns to God’s word as a source of hope, guidance, and rescue, showing how Scripture shapes both prayer and expectation.