Psalms 119:173

Psalm 119:173 is a heartfelt plea from the psalmist for divine intervention and support, grounded in his unwavering commitment to God's commands. It beautifully articulates the principle that our intentional choice to follow God's ways positions us to confidently seek His powerful assistance.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem (though not strictly followed in the KJV translation) that extols the virtues and necessity of God's Word. Each stanza of eight verses often begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Throughout this monumental psalm, the author expresses deep love, devotion, and reliance on God's statutes, precepts, commandments, and judgments. Verse 173 appears near the very end, serving as a summary of the psalmist's posture: having diligently chosen to live by God's Word, he now confidently asks for God's active "hand" in his life.

Key Themes

• Divine Assistance: The primary request is for God's help. The psalmist acknowledges that despite his best efforts and commitment, he is still dependent on God's strength and power to navigate life's challenges. This highlights human weakness and divine omnipotence, and our constant need for God as our refuge and strength.
• Obedience as a Foundation for Prayer: The phrase "for I have chosen thy precepts" provides the rationale for the plea. It's not a demand but a confident appeal based on a life dedicated to God's will. This demonstrates a reciprocal relationship: our devotion to God's Word invites His attentive care and aid, as seen in John 14:23.
• The Value of God's Word: The psalmist's "choice" of God's precepts underscores their supreme value. He doesn't merely acknowledge them but actively embraces them as the guiding principles of his life. This commitment is a hallmark of the righteous, as described in Psalm 1:2.

Linguistic Insights

• "Hand" (Hebrew: yad): In biblical language, God's "hand" is a powerful anthropomorphism symbolizing His active power, strength, protection, and intervention. When the psalmist asks for God's hand to help him, he is asking for God's direct, personal, and mighty involvement in his circumstances.
• "Precepts" (Hebrew: piqqudim): This term refers to God's specific instructions, commands, or ordinances. It emphasizes the careful and precise nature of God's guidance, given for the good of His people. The psalmist's "choice" (Hebrew: bachar) of these precepts signifies a deliberate, volitional act of aligning his will with God's.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. It teaches us that:

1. Our commitment to God's Word is not an end in itself but a pathway to experiencing His tangible help. When we actively choose to live by God's precepts, we align ourselves with His will, making us receptive to His blessings and aid.
2. Even the most devoted among us still require divine assistance. The psalmist, immersed in God's law, still cries out, "Let thine hand help me." This reminds us of our constant dependence on God's grace and power, echoing the sentiment in John 15:5, "without me ye can do nothing."
3. Our prayers can be confident when they are rooted in a life of obedience and love for God's truth. It's not about earning help, but about a relationship where our devotion to Him naturally leads us to trust in His willingness to support us.