Psalms 119:175

Authorized King James Version

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Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Original Language Analysis

תְּֽחִי live H2421
תְּֽחִי live
Strong's: H2421
Word #: 1 of 5
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
נַ֭פְשִׁי Let my soul H5315
נַ֭פְשִׁי Let my soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 2 of 5
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וּֽתְהַֽלְלֶ֑ךָּ and it shall praise H1984
וּֽתְהַֽלְלֶ֑ךָּ and it shall praise
Strong's: H1984
Word #: 3 of 5
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ thee and let thy judgments H4941
וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ thee and let thy judgments
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 4 of 5
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
יַעֲזְרֻֽנִי׃ help H5826
יַעֲזְרֻֽנִי׃ help
Strong's: H5826
Word #: 5 of 5
to surround, i.e., protect or aid

Analysis & Commentary

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee (תְּחִי־נַפְשִׁי וּתְהַלְלֶךָּ, techi-nafshi utehallekha)—Chayah ('live, have life, be quickened') with nefesh (soul, life, self) as subject. Life's purpose: halal ('praise, celebrate, boast in') God. The means: and let thy judgments help me (וּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ יַעְזְרֻנִי, umishpatekha ya'azruni). Mishpatim (judgments, verdicts, ordinances) provide ezer (help, assistance)—the same word used of Eve as Adam's ezer kenegdo (helper corresponding to him, Genesis 2:18).

The final verse of Scripture's longest chapter encapsulates its message: life exists for God's praise, enabled by God's revealed judgments. This anticipates Westminster Shorter Catechism Q1: 'Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.'

Historical Context

Psalm 119 concludes not with arrival but with petition—the spiritual life remains dependent on God's sustaining grace. The final Taw (ת) verse completes the Hebrew alphabet, suggesting exhaustive treatment of the Word's sufficiency. Yet the psalmist still prays, modeling perpetual dependence on divine help unto praise.

Questions for Reflection

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