Psalm 119 117

Psalm 119:117 kjv

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Psalm 119:117 nkjv

Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.

Psalm 119:117 niv

Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Psalm 119:117 esv

Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!

Psalm 119:117 nlt

Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 117 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.

Psalm 119 117 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.

Psalm 119 117 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.

Psalm 119 117 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.

Psalm 119 117 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.