John Calvin Commentary Psalms 119:107

"I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word." — Psalms 119:107 (ASV)

I am greatly afflicted, O Jehovah! This verse teaches that God did not cherish the fathers under the Law so delicately as not to exercise them with grievous temptations, for the Psalmist declares that he was not afflicted lightly, or in an ordinary degree, but exceedingly.

His prayer to be quickened implies that he was at the point of death. He, however, at the same time, shows that though he was besieged by death, he still did not faint, because he leaned upon God — a point worthy of special notice. For though, at the beginning, we may call upon God with much eagerness, yet when the trial increases in severity, our hearts lose courage, and, in the extremity of fear, our confidence is extinguished.

Yet the prophet implores God for grace, not so that his life might be preserved in safety, but so that he might recover the life he had lost. This indicates both the low condition to which he was reduced and his continued confidence in God. We must also observe attentively the last part of the clause, according to your word. We will pray coldly, or rather we will not pray at all, if God’s promise does not inspire us with courage in our sorrow and distress. In short, as we have said elsewhere, it is indispensably necessary that we have this key at hand, so that we may have free access to the throne of grace.