The psalmist longs for spiritual renewal. “Let my soul live.” He is not only asking to survive physically. His request is purposeful: “and praise you.” True life leads to praise. To be spiritually revived is to respond with gratitude. He does not want life for its own sake, but life that magnifies the Lord. He also asks, “let your rules help me.” God’s righteous judgments are not cold decrees. They sustain the psalmist. They guide him. They steady him in the fight against sin. He knows that if he is to live well, he must live under the instruction of God’s word. Spurgeon reflects, “While I read the record of what thou hast done, in terror or in love, let me be quickened and developed. While I see thy hand actually at work upon me, and upon others, chastening sin, and smiling upon righteousness, let me be helped both to live aright and to praise thee. Let all thy deeds in providence instruct me, and aid me in the struggle to overcome sin and to practise holiness.” So the psalmist prays for life that is awakened, sustained, and directed by God. Let my soul live. Let my life become praise. Let your word strengthen me to walk in holiness.
