Psalm 119 117
What is Psalm 119:117 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Psalm chapter 119 - The Majesty Of The Word
Psalms 119 documents the longest meditation in Scripture, exploring the sufficiency, beauty, and power of God's Word across 176 verses. It uses nearly a dozen synonyms—Law, Testimonies, Ways, Precepts, Statutes, Commandments, Judgments, and Word—to describe how divine instruction preserves life and provides a 'lamp for the feet.' This chapter is an exhaustive acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet, signifying that God's Word covers everything from A to Z.
Psalm 119:117
ESV: Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!
KJV: Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
NIV: Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.
NKJV: Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
NLT: Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
Meaning
Psalm 119:117 expresses a profound dependence on God's active support for personal security and consistent faithfulness to His commands. The psalmist acknowledges that true safety and the ongoing ability to observe God's statutes are not products of human effort alone but are entirely reliant on divine upholding. It signifies a prayer for sustaining grace that enables a life of unwavering obedience to God's law.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:24 | Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him... | God actively upholds His people. |
| Ps 54:4 | Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is among those who uphold my life. | God is the one who sustains the psalmist's life. |
| Ps 145:14 | The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. | God's universal upholding and restoration. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. | God promises to powerfully uphold. |
| Deut 33:27 | ...underneath are the everlasting arms. | God's eternal support and security. |
| Jude 24 | Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you... | God's power to keep believers steadfast. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | Divine strength enables believers. |
| Prov 18:10 | The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. | Safety found solely in God. |
| Isa 26:3 | You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You... | Peace and safety through trust in God. |
| 1 Pet 1:5 | ...who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation... | Believers are guarded by God's power. |
| Jn 10:28 | And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them... | Divine preservation of salvation. |
| 2 Th 3:3 | But the Lord is faithful, who will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. | God's faithfulness provides strength and protection. |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. | Continual devotion to God's Law. |
| Ps 119:1 | Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! | Blessing for those who adhere to God's Law. |
| Ps 119:34 | Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it... | A plea for divine enablement to observe the Law. |
| Ps 119:167 | My soul has observed Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. | Personal commitment to active observance. |
| Lk 1:6 | And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments...blamelessly. | Consistent obedience to God's commands. |
| Jn 14:15 | If you love Me, keep My commandments. | Love for God expressed through obedience. |
| Jas 1:25 | But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it... | Perseverance in adhering to God's Law. |
| Eze 36:27 | I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and you will keep... | God empowers obedience through His Spirit. |
| Phil 2:13 | For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. | God works within believers for obedience. |
| Rom 8:4 | ...that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us... | The Law's demands fulfilled through Christ and Spirit. |
Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem celebrating God's Word using many synonyms for it (Law, statutes, precepts, testimonies, commands, judgments, word, ways). Each stanza of eight verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 117 falls within the 'Ayin (ע) section (verses 113-120), which broadly deals with discerning between true and false allegiance to God, delighting in God's commands, and seeking refuge and strength from the Lord in times of conflict or opposition. This particular verse highlights the psalmist's active choice to rely on God for strength, connecting divine support directly to the human capacity for faithful and continuous observance of God's perfect directives amidst life's challenges. The original audience would have understood obedience to the Torah as central to their covenant identity and well-being in God's eyes.
Word analysis
- "Hold me up": Hebrew sāmḵēnî (סָמְכֵ֥נִי), from the root sāmakh (סמך). It signifies to lean upon, support, sustain, or uphold. This is a fervent plea for divine assistance, recognizing personal inability to stand firm without God's power. It indicates a posture of utter reliance and dependence on God for stability.
- "and I shall be safe": Hebrew wəʾiwwāšēʿāh (וְאִוָּשֵׁ֥עָה), from the root yāšaʿ (ישׁע), meaning to save, deliver, or bring to safety. Here, it is reflexive, indicating the result of God's action—the psalmist being kept safe and secure. This safety is not just physical protection but comprehensive spiritual and existential security, allowing one to remain steadfast in faith and practice.
- "And I shall observe": Hebrew wəʾešməráh (וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֣ה), from the root šāmar (שמר), meaning to guard, watch over, keep, or observe. It denotes a diligent, careful, and intentional adherence to something. This is the human responsibility and active response, enabled by divine grace, to God's commands.
- "Your statutes": Hebrew mišpāṭeḵā (מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ). This refers to God's judgments, ordinances, or righteous decrees. It highlights the divine wisdom and justice inherent in God's directives. It is one of the ten distinct words for God's Law used in Psalm 119, emphasizing different aspects of the divine Word.
- "continually": Hebrew tāmîd (תָּמִֽיד). This adverb emphasizes persistence, regularity, and an unbroken duration. It signifies an unwavering, ongoing commitment to obey God's commands throughout life, not just in moments of inspiration or ease.
Words-group analysis:
- "Hold me up, and I shall be safe": This phrase highlights a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The psalmist's safety (spiritual security, steadfastness, and deliverance from spiritual dangers) is contingent upon God's active support and upholding power. It's a confession of human inadequacy and a profound prayer for sustaining grace.
- "And I shall observe Your statutes continually": This is the immediate, promised fruit of the divine upholding. It demonstrates that the safety God provides is not an end in itself but enables a life of empowered and persistent obedience. The "safety" results in faithful conduct, showing a comprehensive salvation that extends to the will and actions. This obedience is presented as an ongoing, never-ceasing commitment, which only God's strength can maintain.
Commentary
Psalm 119:117 is a concise declaration of dependence, grace, and commitment. It articulates the deep theological truth that human faithfulness and perseverance in observing God's law are not achievable through self-effort but require continuous divine support. The plea "Hold me up" acknowledges human frailty and the ever-present temptation to stray or falter. The resulting "I shall be safe" speaks to a security found only in God's preserving power—a spiritual and moral safeguarding that enables the believer to resist evil and remain firm. This divine safety then manifests itself in the concrete action: "And I shall observe Your statutes continually." This isn't merely a desire but a confident expectation of obedience, knowing God's enablement guarantees steadfastness. The verse beautifully illustrates the partnership between divine grace and human responsibility: God upholds, and empowered by that grace, the individual actively, diligently, and continuously observes His divine directives. It is a powerful prayer for consistent discipleship.For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to:
- Pray for divine strength daily when facing temptations to compromise biblical truth.
- Recognize that perseverance in faith is a gift of God's sustaining grace, prompting humility.
- Actively pursue obedience, trusting that God empowers the desire and the deed.
Bonus section
This verse encapsulates a crucial aspect of the Christian walk: the realization that true spiritual endurance (the "continual" observance) stems not from one's own will-power alone, but from God's preserving power ("Hold me up"). It emphasizes the active partnership where God's upholding leads to a Spirit-empowered obedience, safeguarding the believer from apostasy or severe backsliding. This understanding deepens reliance on God while simultaneously motivating diligent application to His Word, knowing that the strength to do so is divinely provided.
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