Psalm 119:116

116 ¹Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And ²do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Psalm 119:116 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:116

Uphold me according unto thy word
In thy ways, that my footsteps slip not; in thine arms, and with the right hand of thy righteousness, from fainting and sinking under difficulties and discouragements, in trying circumstances; and from slipping and sliding out of the way of God; and from a total and final filling away, according to thy word of promise, that, as are the days of thy people, their strength shall be; and that thou wilt never leave them nor forsake them. The Targum is,

``uphold me in thy word;''

or by thy word, either essential or written;

that I may live;
meaning not corporeally, though none so live but whom the Lord upholds in life; but, spiritually, live by faith on Christ the Saviour, live comfortably on the word of promise, and live honourably, agreeably to the word of God, in all holy conversation and godliness;

and let me not be ashamed of my hope:
as men are, when they are disappointed or having and enjoying what they have been hoping and waiting for; but the grace of hope makes not ashamed, nor shall those who have it ever have any reason to be ashamed of it; since it is a good hope through grace; is an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast; is upon a good foundation, Christ, and by which men are saved; and so may rejoice, in full hope of the glory of God they shall certainly enjoy.

Psalm 119:116 In-Context

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God.

116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117 Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 37:17, 24; Psalms 54:4
• 2. Psalms 25:2, 20; Psalms 31:1, 17; Romans 5:5; Romans 9:33; Philippians 1:20

Footnotes

• [a] Or "promise"
• [b] Lit "put to shame because of"