King James Version

What Does Psalms 119:175 Mean?

Psalms 119:175 in the King James Version says “Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 119 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 119:175 · KJV

Context

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
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.'

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding life's purpose as praising God ('let my soul live, and it shall praise thee') reorient your daily priorities?
  2. In what ways do God's judgments (<em>mishpatim</em>) 'help' you rather than merely constrain you?
  3. How does Christ's resurrection life (Romans 6:4—'walk in newness of life') fulfill the psalmist's prayer for soul-life that praises God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
תְּֽחִי1 of 5

“live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

נַ֭פְשִׁי2 of 5

“Let my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּֽתְהַֽלְלֶ֑ךָּ3 of 5

“and it shall praise”

H1984

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

וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ4 of 5

“thee and let thy judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

יַעֲזְרֻֽנִי׃5 of 5

“help”

H5826

to surround, i.e., protect or aid

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 119:175 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 119:175 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 55:3Psalms 51:14-15Isaiah 38:19Psalms 118:18-19Isaiah 26:8-9Romans 8:28

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