Commonplace –
“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word” (Psalm 119:25).
In Daleth, David is confessing his weakness and asking God for help. It is truly the station of man in life, to express his need for God and humble himself before Him. What’s beautiful is David’s dependence on the Word of God to enliven him.
Matthew Henry notes that this could be David’s complaint of either his corruptions or his afflictions. Whether it is as in the former situation, corruptions, “The remainders of indwelling corruption are a very grievous burden to a gracious soul” (Henry 565), or, in the latter situation, afflictions, “either trouble of mind or outward trouble” (Henry 565), either would leave the soul cleaving to dust. In this circumstance, the soul pleads that “By thy providence put life into my affairs, by thy grace put life into my affections; cure me of my spiritual deadness and make me lively in my devotion” (Henry 565). Truly the name ‘Daleth’, poor man, is suitable here.
Works Cited
Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 119.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.
Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.
© 2025 Angela Hormberg
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