Psalm 119 146

Psalm 119:146 kjv

I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

Psalm 119:146 nkjv

I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.

Psalm 119:146 niv

I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.

Psalm 119:146 esv

I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.

Psalm 119:146 nlt

I cry out to you; rescue me,
that I may obey your laws.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 146 Meaning

Psalm 119:146 expresses the Psalmist's fervent prayer for God's divine deliverance or salvation, immediately coupled with a solemn commitment to diligently observe and keep God's testimonies upon receiving that help. It conveys a deep sense of reliance on God's saving power, rooted in a sincere desire to live obediently according to His revealed will. The verse illustrates a core principle of true faith: turning to God in urgent need and pledging ongoing devotion to His Word as a response to His grace.

Psalm 119 146 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an extended acrostic poem divided into twenty-two sections, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses in a section begins with that letter. The entire psalm is a magnificent ode to the written Word of God, using various synonyms for it (e.g., law, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, testimonies, Word). It expresses profound love, delight, and reverence for God's divine revelation, seeing it as a source of guidance, wisdom, comfort, and salvation.

Verse 146 falls within the 'Koph' (ק) section (verses 145-152), a part characterized by fervent, earnest prayer from a distressed soul. The psalmist often speaks of being pursued by enemies, but his response is always to cling more tightly to God's Word. This verse is an expression of his personal plea for rescue from whatever afflicts him, linking that desire for deliverance with an unwavering commitment to continue living according to God's commands. This particular section (Koph) highlights a cry for divine intervention and immediate help, often contrasting the psalmist’s steadfast commitment to the law with the wicked who deviate from it.

Psalm 119 146 Word analysis

• I cry out: (Hebrew: קָרָאתִי, qara'ti). This is the Piel form of the verb qara, signifying an intense, urgent, and often loud appeal. It's not a casual prayer but a desperate call from a soul in need, signifying heartfelt earnestness and perhaps distress. This action reflects complete reliance on God alone.
• to You: (Hebrew: אֵלֶיךָ, eleykha). A direct address to God, emphasizing a personal and singular relationship with the Divine. The psalmist specifically directs his fervent plea towards the one true God, highlighting personal faith and devotion.
• save me: (Hebrew: הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, hoshi'eni). From the root yasha', meaning to deliver, rescue, or bring salvation. This prayer encompasses various forms of deliverance—from danger, enemies, distress, or even sin itself. It is a request for God's powerful intervention to bring about freedom and well-being.
• and I will keep: (Hebrew: וְאֶשְׁמְרָה, v'eshmerah). The Hebrew vav (ו, "and") here serves as a connective that expresses a strong consequence or purpose. Eshmerah (from shamar) means to watch, guard, observe, or preserve carefully. It implies not just passive acknowledgment but active, diligent, and careful adherence. This is a personal vow or firm resolve.
• Your testimonies: (Hebrew: עֵדֹתֶיךָ, 'edoteykha). These are God's divine decrees, precepts, or instructions that serve as a witness or evidence of His character, will, and truth. They are authoritative declarations from God that guide human behavior and thought. The plural form signifies the full body of God's revealed will.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I cry out to You; save me," This phrase represents the human posture of absolute dependence on God in times of dire need. It's an expression of urgent supplication, demonstrating that true faith instinctively turns to the Creator for rescue and aid. It shows a confident expectation that God hears and responds to such earnest cries.
• "and I will keep Your testimonies." This forms the reciprocal promise. It's not a bargain where obedience earns salvation, but rather a grateful and deliberate response to received deliverance. Salvation, understood deeply, leads to a greater desire for obedience. This commitment affirms that the purpose of salvation is not merely personal comfort, but enablement and motivation to live righteously according to God's revealed will, testifying to His grace. It indicates that the deliverance sought is not simply from something but unto something—namely, a life of faithfulness to God.

Psalm 119 146 Bonus section

The structure of this verse reflects a common biblical pattern: desperation leads to genuine repentance and earnest prayer, which God answers, and this deliverance, in turn, solidifies one's commitment to live righteously. It illustrates that spiritual growth often involves these cycles of turning to God in crisis and emerging with deeper resolve to obey. The "testimonies" here are not merely rules, but divine revelations that bear witness to God's character; therefore, "keeping" them is an act of preserving relationship with God and upholding His truth in the world. The intense, active verb "cry out" (qara') also has sacrificial connotations in other contexts, hinting at a profound offering of one's entire being in the appeal to God.

Psalm 119 146 Commentary

Psalm 119:146 beautifully encapsulates a vital spiritual truth: the seamless connection between heartfelt prayer for divine deliverance and a subsequent, resolute commitment to obedience. The psalmist, perhaps facing opposition or deep personal distress, cries out with passionate urgency, seeking God's saving intervention. This intense appeal is not born out of presumption, but from a heart that already values God's Word. The "save me" is deeply intertwined with "and I will keep Your testimonies." This indicates that true deliverance from God empowers and prompts a more faithful adherence to His precepts. It is not an attempt to earn salvation through works, but a recognition that genuine salvation naturally culminates in a life lived according to the Deliverer's commands. It emphasizes a dynamic covenant relationship where God's rescue motivates human faithfulness, manifesting a whole-hearted devotion that combines desperate reliance with joyful allegiance to His perfect will.