119:154 The writer asks God to serve as His advocate and His life-giver. Grievous charges have been made against him; he needs a defender. He has been persecuted to the point of exhaustion; he needs a new infusion of life.[1]
119:154 Plead my cause The word riv often appears in legal contexts to refer to a legal dispute, but can also mean something as basic as “quarrel.”
redeem me Emphasizes deliverance from bondage through outside help. See 103:4 and note.
preserve my life The psalmist repeats this request three times in Stanza 20 (vv. 154, 156, 159). It is the dominant expression that defines God’s help.[2]
119:154 Plead my cause. This phrase comes from the courtroom. The psalmist asks the Lord to intercede for him before his enemies.[3]
[1] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 746). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ps 119:154). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (p. 850). Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries.
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