Psalm 119:116 kjv
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 119:116 nkjv
Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 119:116 niv
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
Psalm 119:116 esv
Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
Psalm 119:116 nlt
LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed.
Psalm 119 116 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 3:5 | "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me." | God sustains in rest. |
| Ps 20:8 | "Some trust in chariots... but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." | Trusting God, not worldly things. |
| Ps 25:2-3 | "O my God, in You I trust; Let me not be ashamed..." | Plea against shame for trusting God. |
| Ps 31:1 | "In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed..." | Trusting God brings no shame. |
| Ps 37:24 | "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand." | God's hand upholds through trials. |
| Ps 40:8 | "I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart." | Delight in God's Word as life. |
| Ps 55:22 | "Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you..." | God sustains those who trust Him. |
| Ps 119:49 | "Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope." | Hope based on God's word. |
| Ps 119:50 | "This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life." | Word gives life and comfort. |
| Ps 119:114 | "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word." | Word is basis of hope. |
| Ps 119:162 | "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure." | Joy found in God's Word. |
| Prov 10:28 | "The hope of the righteous will be gladness..." | Righteous hope brings joy. |
| Isa 28:16 | "Whoever believes will not make haste." | Believer's faith avoids shame/panic. |
| Isa 41:10 | "Fear not, for I am with you; ...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." | God's presence and upholding power. |
| Isa 49:23 | "You shall know that I am the LORD; For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me." | Waiting on God avoids shame. |
| Joel 2:26 | "You shall eat in plenty...and you shall never be put to shame." | Abundance and freedom from shame in God. |
| Rom 5:5 | "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out..." | Christian hope through Holy Spirit. |
| Rom 9:33 | "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." | Faith in Christ removes shame. |
| Rom 10:11 | "For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."" | Echoes Isa 28:16 for New Covenant. |
| 1 Pet 2:6 | "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone... and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." | Trust in Christ's foundational role. |
| John 6:63 | "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." | Christ's words convey life. |
| John 6:68 | "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." | Peter acknowledges Christ as source of life. |
| Heb 1:3 | "upholding all things by the word of His power..." | Christ's word of power sustains all creation. |
| Heb 10:23 | "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." | Steadfast hope in a faithful God. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 116 Meaning
This verse expresses a profound prayer for divine sustenance and vitality, explicitly based on God's promises and written Word. The psalmist implores God to uphold and keep them alive, ensuring that their confident expectation and trust placed in the Lord will not result in disappointment or public disgrace. It is a plea for God's faithfulness to His Word, validating the believer's hope and preserving their spiritual life.
Psalm 119 116 Context
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, the longest Psalm, dedicated entirely to the multifaceted aspects of God's Word (Torah, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, testimonies, etc.). Each eight-verse section corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse (116) falls within the "Samekh" section (verses 113-120), where the psalmist contrasts his devotion to God's instruction with those who are double-minded or wicked. In this section, the psalmist declares his love for God's law and views God as his "hiding place and shield" (v. 114), putting his hope "in Your word." Verse 116, therefore, flows naturally as a plea rooted in this hope and reliance on God's expressed will, asking for divine sustenance and vindication in a world where adherence to God's ways often brings opposition or trials. Historically, the audience would have understood "shame" as a deeply felt public disgrace, emphasizing the psalmist's vulnerability and absolute dependence on God's covenant faithfulness for both physical well-being and moral vindication.
Psalm 119 116 Word analysis
- Uphold me: (Hebrew: Sam'khēni - סמכני, from סמך samak). This verb means "to lean upon, support, sustain, prop up." It signifies more than passive reception; it implies a deep reliance and confident leaning into God's power and grace. The psalmist expresses utter dependence on God as the sole source of stability and strength. In the context of the Psalms, God is frequently depicted as the one who sustains the righteous when they stumble (Ps 145:14) or protects them from enemies.
- according to Your word: (Hebrew: Kid'vārēkha - כדברך). The preposition "k-" (כ) means "according to" or "in accordance with." This phrase establishes God's Word as the authoritative basis, the rule, and the very foundation of the psalmist's prayer and expectation. It is not an arbitrary plea, but one grounded in God's revealed character, His covenant promises, and the truths He has communicated. God's davar (word) encompasses His decrees, commands, promises, and entire revealed will. This highlights that the psalmist is asking God to be consistent with His own nature and declared intentions.
- that I may live: (Hebrew: Va'ekh'yeh - ואחיה, from חיה chayah). This is more than mere physical existence. While it includes preservation from death or harm, chayah frequently denotes true vitality, spiritual quickening, flourishing, and abundant life in fellowship with God. It speaks of spiritual revival and growth that empowers one to live a life pleasing to God. The psalmist links this vital life directly to God's upholding hand, grounded in His Word.
- and do not let me be ashamed: (Hebrew: V'al-tebishēni - ואל-תבשני, from בוש bosh). To be "ashamed" means to be disappointed, confounded, humiliated, or disgraced, especially as a result of one's hope or trust being proven futile. The psalmist fears the consequences of his profound trust in God potentially leading to failure or mockery. This plea reflects a deep concern for his standing before God and others, indicating a desire for God's vindication of his faith.
- of my hope: (Hebrew: Mi'tikvatī - מתקותי, from תקוה tikvah). This word signifies a strong, confident expectation, a sure ground of trust, rather than a mere wish. It refers to a hope that is fixed upon God's character and His faithfulness to His Word. The psalmist’s hope is active, resolute, and unwavering, anchored in the certainty of God's ability and willingness to fulfill His promises.
Psalm 119 116 Bonus section
- The placement of this verse within the "Samekh" section of Psalm 119, following verses about hating double-mindedness and embracing God's law, underscores the importance of singular devotion. The psalmist asks to be upheld in his commitment and faith against those who do not follow God's Word, thus protecting his testimony.
- The link between "word" and "life" is central to biblical thought, finding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the Living Word (John 1:1, 14) and the source of abundant life (John 10:10). His words also are "spirit and life" (John 6:63).
- The inverse of this prayer is that those who do not put their hope in God and His Word will indeed be ashamed, either in this life or on the Day of Judgment (Ps 6:10, Isa 28:16).
Psalm 119 116 Commentary
Psalm 119:116 encapsulates a deep and intimate dependency on God's Word as the very source of life and confidence. The prayer "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live" is a request for both spiritual sustenance and physical preservation, entirely contingent upon God's promises. It is a testament to the belief that genuine life and flourishing come not from human strength or external circumstances, but from God's active support in alignment with His revealed will. The subsequent plea, "and do not let me be ashamed of my hope," speaks to the profound spiritual battle faced by believers. To be "ashamed of one's hope" would mean that one's trust in God's faithfulness had been misplaced, resulting in public humiliation or deep personal disappointment. The psalmist recognizes that such an outcome would not only diminish his own spirit but could also bring dishonor to God's name, as it would imply God's unreliability. This verse is therefore a fervent prayer for God to vindicate the psalmist's unwavering faith, proving that trusting in God's Word is never in vain. It reminds believers that true hope is resilient and rooted in the certainty of God's integrity and covenant love, which ultimately secures their eternal well-being and honor.