Psalms 119:175 - Meaning and Application

David’s heart is still fixed on praising God. So he prays that God would give him time to do it: “Let my soul live, and it shall praise you,” that is, let my life be extended so I may live for your glory. A good person wants to keep living for this reason, to praise God in the land of the living and to do something that honors him. He is not saying, “Let me live so I can serve my country or provide for my family,” though those are good things. He is saying, “Let me live so that, in doing all these things, I may praise God in this world of struggle and opposition.”

When we die, we hope to go to a better world where we will praise God perfectly. That is more fitting for us, though while we are here there is more need for us. So we should not wish to live any longer than we can still do God some service here. “Let my soul live” also means, let me be made holy and let me be comforted, for holiness and comfort are the life of the soul. Then I will praise you. Our souls must be used in praising God, and we should pray for grace and peace so we will be ready for that work.

He also prays that God would give him strength to praise him: “Let your judgments help me.” Here God’s judgments means both his commands and his dealings with us. Let both God’s word and God’s providence help me glorify him. Let them be the reason for my praise, and let them also prepare me for that work.