Psalms 119:40 (ASV)

Passage

Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. VAV.

Nearby Context

Psalms 119:38 Confirm unto thy servant thy word, Which [is in order] unto the fear of thee.

Psalms 119:39 Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid; For thine ordinances are good.

Psalms 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: Quicken me in thy righteousness. VAV.

Psalms 119:41 Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word.

Psalms 119:42 So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "behold", "longed", "after", "precepts", "quicken", and "righteousness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "behold" and "longed", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 39's "Turn away my reproach whereof I am..." into verse 41's "Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me...", so "behold" and "longed" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "behold" and "longed" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.