John Gill Commentary Psalms 119:28

"My soul melteth for heaviness: Strengthen thou me according unto thy word." — Psalms 119:28 (ASV)

My soul melteth for heaviness
Like wax before the sun or fire; or flows like water; drops ^F1 , as the word signifies, and dissolves into tears, through grief and sorrow for sins committed; or by reason of Satan's temptations, or divine desertions, or grievous troubles and afflictions; which cause heaviness, lie heavy, and press hard;

strengthen me according to your word ;
to oppose corruptions, withstand temptations, bear up under trials and afflictions, and do the will of God. And the word of God is a means of strengthening his people to do these things; it is the spiritual bread which strengthens man's heart, and in the strength of which, like Elijah, he walks many days, and goes from strength to strength: and there are many gracious words of promise, which may be pleaded with God to this purpose; that he will help, strengthen, and uphold his people; that he will renew their strength, and that as their day is their strength shall be.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F1: (hpld) "stillavit"; Pagninus, Montanus; "distillet", Vatablus; "stillat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscine, Cocceius, Michaelis.