Psalms 119:173
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Original Language Analysis
תְּהִֽי
H1961
תְּהִֽי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יָדְךָ֥
Let thine hand
H3027
יָדְךָ֥
Let thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 6
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 6
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
The 'hand' of God features prominently in Scripture—delivering Israel from Egypt (Exodus 13:3), sustaining the weak (Psalm 37:24), guiding believers (Psalm 139:10). The verse shows that choosing God's precepts doesn't produce self-sufficiency but greater dependence on divine help to fulfill the choice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your daily need for God's 'hand' to help you demonstrate the relationship between human responsibility and divine grace?
- In what specific area have you chosen God's precepts but now need His hand to empower obedience?
- How does Jesus's dependence on the Father's hand/power (John 5:19—'The Son can do nothing of himself') model the psalmist's petition?
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Analysis & Commentary
Let thine hand help me (תְּהִי־יָדְךָ לְעָזְרֵנִי, tehi-yadekha le'ozreni)—Yad ('hand') symbolizes divine power and action. Azar ('help, assist, support') acknowledges human inability and divine sufficiency. The basis: for I have chosen thy precepts (כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ בָחָרְתִּי, ki fiqudekha vacharti). Bachar means 'choose, select, decide for.' The psalmist has made deliberate choice for piqudim (precepts, orders); now he needs God's hand to execute that choice.
This anticipates Philippians 2:12-13: 'Work out your own salvation...for it is God which worketh in you.' Human choice and divine enablement cooperate without contradiction.