Psalm 119 175

Psalm 119:175 kjv

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

Psalm 119:175 nkjv

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.

Psalm 119:175 niv

Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.

Psalm 119:175 esv

Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.

Psalm 119:175 nlt

Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 175 Meaning

Psalm 119:175 is a profound prayer reflecting a soul's complete dependence on God. It articulates a desire for sustained life, both physical and spiritual, with the explicit purpose of offering continuous praise to the Divine. Simultaneously, it expresses a vital plea for God's "judgments"—His righteous laws, statutes, and decrees—to serve as the very source and instrument of help and guidance in daily living. The verse underscores that true existence finds its meaning and purpose in glorifying God and finds its sustenance in adhering to His revealed will.

Psalm 119 175 Context

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, unparalleled in its length and unwavering focus on the significance of God's law, word, statutes, precepts, judgments, commands, testimonies, and ordinances. Each of its 22 sections, corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, elaborates on the beauty, truth, and transformative power of God's divine revelation. The verse 175 is part of the final section, Tau (ת), which generally expresses an ardent plea for deliverance and an ultimate dependence on God's commands. It encapsulates the Psalm's dominant theme: life in its fullness is intricately bound to an intimate relationship with God's word, and salvation and preservation are found within His righteous ways. Historically, this emphasis would resonate deeply with a post-exilic community striving to rebuild its identity around the Torah as the foundation of its covenant with God.

Psalm 119 175 Word analysis

• Let my soul live

  • Let: This word implies a prayer, a petition, a humble request to God.
  • my soul: (Hebrew: nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ). This word signifies the entire being, not merely a disembodied spirit. It can mean life, self, person, vital breath. Here, it denotes the psalmist's whole individual existence and vitality. The prayer is for preservation of physical life as well as spiritual vigor and flourishing.
  • live: (Hebrew: chayah, חָיָה). To be alive, to exist, to revive, to be preserved, to flourish. It indicates a desire for continued, vibrant existence, not just bare survival. This is an earnest plea for divine life-giving and sustaining power. The Psalmist understands that life, true life, comes from God alone.

• and it shall praise You

  • and it shall: Connotes purpose and consequence. If life is granted, its necessary outcome and purpose will be praise. This reflects the biblical understanding that humanity's chief end is to glorify God.
  • praise: (Hebrew: halal, הָלַל). To laud, commend, make a show, boast, shine. This is the root of "hallelujah." It's an active, celebratory acknowledgement of God's worth, character, and works. This indicates that mere existence is insufficient; life's ultimate goal is devoted worship and commendation of the Creator.
  • You: Refers directly to God, the Lord YHWH. The recipient of all praise and the source of life.

• And let Your judgments help me

  • And let: Again, a plea for divine action, establishing a dependency on God.
  • Your judgments: (Hebrew: mishpat, מִשְׁפָּט). In this context within Psalm 119, "judgments" refers to God's righteous decisions, decrees, ordinances, and the entire framework of His divine law and justice. It signifies God's settled will and way of governing the world righteously. It is not primarily punitive but revelatory and guiding, indicating what is right and just in God's eyes.
  • help: (Hebrew: 'azar, עָזַר). To assist, support, succor, aid. This term conveys reliance on God's divine intervention and support, particularly through the application of His revealed will. The psalmist seeks practical guidance, strength, and preservation from God's righteous standards. This highlights the practical benefit of knowing and living by God's truth.
  • me: The individual psalmist, expressing personal dependence and prayer.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "Let my soul live...and it shall praise You": This pairing explicitly links the gift of life with its divine purpose: glorifying God. It implies that a life lived outside of praising God is a diminished or unfulfilled existence. True life finds its meaning in worshipping its Creator. This relationship reveals the very teleology of human existence as understood in biblical thought.
  • "Let my soul live...And let Your judgments help me": This parallel structure suggests a symbiotic relationship. Life (or revival) is received from God, and it is God's righteous way (His judgments) that sustain and enable this life to function righteously. The appeal for help through God's judgments points to an understanding that God's moral and ethical framework is not a burden but a source of vital assistance for navigating life's challenges righteously and successfully.

Psalm 119 175 Bonus section

This verse implicitly teaches that living a life separated from God's commands—His judgments—is tantamount to being without true help. When believers drift from the divine standard, they deprive themselves of the very aid necessary for righteous living and fruitful existence. The emphasis on "soul" in the petition "Let my soul live" means it's a prayer for inner vitality, moral courage, and spiritual renewal that transcends mere physical breath, demonstrating that a deep, flourishing spiritual life is only possible through divine intervention and adherence to divine truth. It echoes the New Testament principle that in Christ we "live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), and that the Holy Spirit empowers obedience to God's statutes (Ezek 36:27).

Psalm 119 175 Commentary

Psalm 119:175 encapsulates a fundamental truth of the spiritual life: that our very existence and all our faculties are a gift from God, intended to be offered back to Him in praise and worship. The psalmist understands that life is not an end in itself but a means to declare the greatness of God. Furthermore, the verse deepens this by revealing how this life of praise is sustained—not by human effort or wisdom, but by actively seeking and submitting to God's righteous judgments. These "judgments" are not harsh verdicts but divine principles that bring order, guidance, and truth into one's life. In a world full of conflicting philosophies and potential pitfalls, the psalmist finds help and direction by aligning with God's unerring standards. This prayer reflects both complete dependence on God's preserving power for life itself and absolute reliance on His revealed truth for direction and practical aid, forming a perfect union of purpose (praise) and provision (judgments). It encourages believers to pray not just for life, but for a life truly consecrated to God, a life guided and guarded by His Word.