Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Deal bountifully ... - This commences the next portion of the psalm, indicated by the letter Gimel ( g ), the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet, answering to our letter "g." Each verse of this portion Psalms 119:17-24 begins with this letter. There is a resemblance between the first word of this verse - ge mol - and the letter - "Gimel" - which commences the eight verses of this portion of the psalm. The noun (derived from the verb) - gâmâl - means a camel, and the letter gimel has been supposed to have derived its name from its having originally a resemblance to the camel' s neck. In some of the Phenician inscriptions, and in the Ethiopic alphabet, it has this form (Gesenius, "Lex" ). The verb used here means to do, or show, or cause good or evil to anyone; and then to reward, or to recompense, either good or evil. Here it seems to be used in a general sense of doing good, or showing favor, as in Psalms 13:6; Psalms 116:7; Psalms 142:7. Compare Proverbs 11:17. It does not necessarily imply that the author of the psalm had any claim, or demanded this on the ground of merit. He begged the favor, the friendship, the interposition of God in his behalf.
That I may live - The continuance of life was dependent on the favor of God.
And keep thy word - For grace to do this he was equally dependent on God; and he asked that life might be continued, in order that he might honor the word of God by obeying it.
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