Let thy tender mercies come unto me
(See Gill on Psalms 119:41);
that I may live;
not merely corporeally; though corporeal life is a grant and favour, and the continuance of it; it is owing to the tender mercies of God that men are not consumed: but spiritually; the first principle of spiritual life is from the rich mercy and great love of God; his time of love is a time of life. Here it seems to design the lively exercise of grace, which is influenced, animated, and quickened by the love of God, as faith, hope, and love; or a living comfortably: without the love of God, and a view of it, saints look upon themselves as dead men, forgotten as they are, free among the dead, that are remembered no more; but in the favour of God is life; let but that be shown, let the tender mercies of God come in full flow into the soul, and it will be revived, and live comfortably; and such also shall live eternally, as the fruit and effect of the same love and favour;
for thy law [is] my delight;
or "delights" F21; what he exceedingly delighted in, after the inward man, and yet could not live by it, without the mercy, love, and grace of God; see ( Psalms 119:24 Psalms 119:47 Psalms 119:70 ) .