Bible Strands
Psalms 119:173
May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, standing in a continuous monologue of devotion that immediately follows praise for God's commandments and precedes a declaration of longing for salvation. The speaker is the author of Psalm 119, positioned in a moment of active obedience.
The words — The phrase יָדְךָ (yadkha) translates literally to "your hand," while בָחַרְתִּי (bacharti) means "I have chosen." The text places these terms in direct causal sequence, stating that divine assistance is requested specifically because the precepts have been actively selected.
The thread — The motif of God's helping hand appears in Isaiah 41:10, where divine strength and aid are promised to a fearful people. The theme of deliberate choice before God echoes Joshua 24:22 and Deuteronomy 30:19, where covenant loyalty requires a conscious decision to serve the LORD.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader acknowledge that seeking God's intervention is grounded in prior commitment to His commands. It requires a practical alignment of desire and obedience, where help is requested specifically because the precepts have been actively chosen.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Joshua 24:22 Then Joshua told them, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “We are witnesses!” they said.
- Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,
- Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
- 1 Kings 3:11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice—
- Psalms 37:24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.
- Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
- Psalms 119:35 Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
- Psalms 119:40 How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.
- Psalms 119:94 I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.