Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:25

"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: Quicken thou me according to thy word." — Psalms 119:25 (ASV)

My soul cleaveth unto the dust - This begins a new division of the psalm, in which each verse begins with the “fourth” letter of the Hebrew alphabet—Daleth (ד d), equivalent to the English “d.” There is nothing in the sense to separate it from the other parts of the psalm. The word translated “cleaveth” means to be glued to; to stick fast. It has the sense of adhering firmly to anything, so that it cannot easily be separated from it. Compare the notes at Psalms 63:8.

The word “dust” here may mean either the earth and earthly things—considered as low, base, unworthy, worldly—or it may mean the grave, as if he were near to that and in danger of dying. DeWette understands it in the latter sense. Compare Psalms 44:25; Psalms 22:29.

Yet the word “cleave” would hardly suggest this idea; and the force of that word would be better represented by the idea that his soul, as it were, adhered to the things of earth—that it seemed so fastened to them, so glued to them, that it could not be detached from them; and that his affections were low, earthly, and grovelling, so as to cause him deep distress and lead him to cry to God for life and strength, so that he might break away from them. This expresses what is often felt by good people and thus presents one of the forms of religious experience. Compare Romans 7:14-15.

Quicken thou me - Cause me to live; give me vigor and strength to break away from this that binds me fast, and to rise above these low propensities.

According to thy word - That is, either according to your promises made to your people to aid them when they are in distress, or according to the principles of your word, so that I may live as your word requires. Who has not found his soul so cleaving to dust—to earth, to worldly things—as to feel degraded by it, and to lead him to cry out earnestly for God to give him strength, life, and vigor, so that his soul might rise to better things?