Psalms 119:116

King James Version (KJV)

Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Uphold me - סמכני sammecheni, prop me up; give me thyself to lean upon.

Was this helpful?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Uphold me - סמכני sammecheni, prop me up; give me thyself to lean upon.

Was this helpful?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Uphold me - Sustain me in the trials and the temptations of life. Help me to bear afflictions without sinking under them; to meet temptations without yielding to them; to encounter opposition from the enemies of religion without being overcome.

According unto thy word -

(1) According to the requirements of thy word - that I may be conformed to them;

(2) according to the promises of thy word - that they may be verified in me.

That I may live - That my life may not be cut off by my foes, and that I may not sink under my burdens.

And let me not be ashamed of my hope - The meaning of this is, Let not my hope prove to be delusive and vain; let it not be seen at last that it is worthless, or that religion has no power to accomplish what it promises. See Psalm 6:10, note; Psalm 25:2-3, note; Psalm 31:1, note. The phrase does not mean, as it would seem to signify, Let me not blush, or be unwilling to acknowledge my hope, or to profess that I am a friend of God. That “would be,” indeed, a proper prayer, but it is not the prayer here.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Here is a dread of the risings of sin, and the first beginnings of it. The more we love the law of God, the more watchful we shall be, lest vain thoughts draw us from what we love. Would we make progress in keeping God's commands, we must be separate from evil-doers. The believer could not live without the grace of God; but, supported by his hand, his spiritual life shall be maintained. Our holy security is grounded on Divine supports. All departure from God's statutes is error, and will prove fatal. Their cunning is falsehood. There is a day coming which will put the wicked into everlasting fire, the fit place for the dross. See what comes of sin Surely we who fall so low in devout affections, should fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into heavenly rest, any of us should be found to come short of it, Heb 4:1.

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
Faith and Works, 78.1

God help us to have a knowledge of the truth, and if you have seen the truth of God, press right to the light and put up the bars behind you. Make not flesh your arm; but have a living experience for yourselves, and then your countenance will shine with the glory of God. You have walked with Him, and He has upheld you. You have wrestled with Him and pleaded with Him, and He has let His light shine upon you. FW 78.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Cross References

Uphold

and let me