King James Version

What Does Psalms 119:174 Mean?

Psalms 119:174 in the King James Version says “I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 119 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.”

Psalms 119:174 · KJV

Salvation

Context

172

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174

I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

175

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

176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD (תָּאַבְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ יְהוָה, ta'avti lishu'atekha YHWH)—Ta'av means 'long for, desire deeply, crave.' Yeshu'ah (salvation, deliverance, the root of Yeshua/Jesus) is the object of intense longing. The conjunction: and thy law is my delight (וְתוֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי, vetoratekha sha'ashu'ai). Sha'ashua means 'delight, pleasure, enjoyment'—the same word in Isaiah 5:7 describing Israel as God's 'pleasant plant.'

This echoes Simeon's cry: 'Mine eyes have seen thy salvation [to soterion, from yeshu'ah]' (Luke 2:30). Longing for salvation and delighting in Torah unite in Christ—He IS both the yeshu'ah and the Torah incarnate.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The penultimate verse of Psalm 119 returns to the salvation theme (v. 123, 155, 166, 174) while maintaining the Torah-delight theme (v. 16, 24, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174). The already/not-yet tension: we delight in present Torah-obedience while longing for ultimate salvation. Christians experience this as enjoying Christ now while awaiting glorification.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does delighting in God's Law intensify (rather than diminish) your longing for final salvation?
  2. What would it look like practically to cultivate both deep longing for Christ's return AND present delight in His Word?
  3. How does Jesus fulfill both aspects—salvation longed for AND Torah delighted in—as the Word made flesh?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
תָּאַ֣בְתִּי1 of 5

“I have longed”

H8373

to desire

לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣2 of 5

“for thy salvation”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

יְהוָ֑ה3 of 5

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְ֝תֽוֹרָתְךָ֗4 of 5

“and thy law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃5 of 5

“is my delight”

H8191

enjoyment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 119:174 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 119:174 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:166-167Psalms 119:16Psalms 119:111Psalms 119:47Psalms 1:2Psalms 119:162

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