Psalm 119:6 kjv
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psalm 119:6 nkjv
Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
Psalm 119:6 niv
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
Psalm 119:6 esv
Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
Psalm 119:6 nlt
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
Psalm 119 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 25:3 | Indeed, none who wait for You shall be ashamed; | Trust in God leads to freedom from shame. |
| Rom 5:5 | And hope does not put us to shame... | Hope in God's character leads to no shame. |
| Rom 10:11 | For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” | Faith in Christ prevents shame. |
| 1 John 2:28 | ...so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. | Abiding in Christ ensures confidence. |
| 2 Tim 1:12 | ...for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. | Faithfulness brings assurance, not shame. |
| Ps 34:5 | Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. | Looking to the Lord brings light, not shame. |
| Isa 45:17 | But Israel is saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or disgraced. | Divine salvation provides lasting honor. |
| Phil 1:20 | ...as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed... | Paul's desire for bold testimony without shame. |
| Josh 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night... | Diligent focus on God's Law for success. |
| Deut 6:25 | ...it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God... | Full obedience leads to righteousness. |
| Ps 1:2 | But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. | Joy and strength from devotion to God's Law. |
| Ps 19:7-11 | The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul... | Perfection and benefit of God's Law. |
| John 14:15 | “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Love for Christ expressed through obedience. |
| James 2:10-11 | For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. | Emphasis on holistic, not partial, obedience. |
| Matt 5:19 | Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments...shall be called least... | Importance of upholding all commandments. |
| Luke 11:28 | But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” | Blessing is on those who hear and obey. |
| 1 John 3:21-22 | Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. | Obedience grants confidence and answered prayer. |
| Prov 28:18 | Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. | Integrity leads to security; crookedness to downfall. |
| Ps 37:31 | The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. | God's law in the heart ensures steady steps. |
| Ps 119:106 | I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. | Personal commitment to obey all of God's rules. |
| Eccl 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Keeping God's commands is man's ultimate duty. |
| Ps 40:8 | I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. | Inner desire and delight in God's will. |
| Ezek 36:27 | And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. | God's enabling for obedience. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 6 Meaning
This verse expresses a profound correlation between faithful, comprehensive obedience to God's divine instructions and the avoidance of shame or disappointment. The psalmist asserts that a life diligently lived according to all of God's commandments—not selectively—leads to a steadfast moral character, internal integrity, and confidence before God, free from any sense of failure or public disgrace. It speaks of a clear conscience and an upright walk, ensuring divine approval and freedom from the humiliation that follows disobedience.
Psalm 119 6 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a poetic masterpiece (an acrostic psalm in Hebrew) dedicated entirely to the excellence, delight, and transforming power of God's law, word, statutes, precepts, testimonies, and commandments. The psalmist's deep love and commitment to God's Word are evident throughout its 176 verses. Verse 6 specifically encapsulates the desire for consistent, unfaltering obedience. It follows a declaration of aspiration for an undefiled way (v. 1), walking in the law (v. 2), seeking God wholeheartedly (v. 2), doing no unrighteousness (v. 3), and desiring for God's precepts to be commanded strictly (v. 4). This verse presents the consequence and reward of such devoted living: the absence of shame. In the ancient Near Eastern context, shame was a powerful social and spiritual indicator, representing disgrace, defeat, or divine disapproval, often contrasted with honor, glory, and divine favor. The desire to avoid shame would resonate strongly with the original audience, who understood societal honor as linked to one's adherence to covenant obligations.
Psalm 119 6 Word analysis
- Then: This temporal adverb establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, indicating a consequence that naturally flows from the preceding condition. It links the state of "not being ashamed" directly to the action of having respect for God's commandments.
- shall I not be ashamed: The Hebrew word is בוּשׁ (bush), meaning "to be put to shame, confounded, disappointed." In biblical usage, this shame can be internal (regret, guilt) or external (disgrace, humiliation before others or God). To "not be ashamed" signifies confidence, uprightness, vindication, and divine approval. It implies a clear conscience, a righteous standing, and the absence of disappointment in one's hope or actions, particularly in the divine judgment.
- when I have respect unto: The Hebrew verb here is נָבַט (nabat), meaning "to look at, gaze, observe, consider intently." This is stronger than a casual glance; it implies careful, diligent attention, meditation, and a fixed contemplation upon something. It's about profoundly regarding or fixing one's gaze upon God's instructions, demonstrating serious intent to understand and obey them.
- all thy commandments: The Hebrew noun is מִצְוֹת (mitzvot), always plural here, referring to God's divine precepts, rules, or ordinances. The crucial word is "all," emphasizing the completeness and totality of obedience. It highlights that true faithfulness does not pick and choose which commands to follow but embraces the entirety of God's revealed will. Partial obedience is often akin to disobedience in its consequences, as it betrays a divided heart or a lack of full submission.
Words-group analysis
- Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments: This phrase encapsulates a fundamental biblical principle: sincere, comprehensive obedience to God's Word leads to a state of moral integrity, inner peace, and divine vindication, eradicating any possibility of shame or regret. It connects faithful adherence to God's will with unwavering confidence, highlighting that one's ultimate vindication before God (and indeed, before man) stems from the totality of their yieldedness to divine authority.
Psalm 119 6 Bonus section
The concept of "shame" in the biblical worldview is often contrasted with "glory" or "honor." To be ashamed is to fall short of divine expectations, to be exposed in one's sin or folly, or to experience the disappointment of unmet hopes, especially hope placed in false gods or self. Conversely, to "not be ashamed" implies being vindicated by God, fulfilling His covenant, and ultimately partaking in His glory. Psalm 119:6 illustrates that genuine glory is found in devotion to God's law, rather than through worldly accolades or self-sufficiency. The prayer for not being ashamed indicates a deep longing for a righteous standing before a holy God and recognition by Him, which is only achievable through embracing the full scope of His guidance. The "commandments" here aren't just legal statutes but divine instructions for living a truly blessed life, fostering a proper relationship with God and others.
Psalm 119 6 Commentary
Psalm 119:6 presents a clear divine principle: true spiritual confidence and freedom from shame are the direct fruit of wholehearted, attentive obedience to every aspect of God's revealed will. The psalmist desires not a pick-and-choose religion, but a life fully aligned with God's perfect law. This verse powerfully underscores that superficial adherence or selective compliance cannot prevent the sting of shame, but only a deep, abiding regard for all God's commandments brings authentic honor and assurance, both in this life and ultimately before God. It's a prayer for perfect congruence between one's walk and God's will. For instance, when one conscientiously adheres to principles like honesty, humility, and generosity (encompassing all commandments), they find inner peace and confidence, rather than shame from duplicity or pride.