Psalms 116:6
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Original Language Analysis
שֹׁמֵ֣ר
preserveth
H8104
שֹׁמֵ֣ר
preserveth
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
יְהוָֹ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָֹ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Psalms 142:6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.Psalms 79:8O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.Psalms 19:7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.Psalms 25:21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.Isaiah 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.Colossians 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:Psalms 106:43Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.Romans 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Historical Context
Israel's history demonstrated this principle repeatedly. A small, militarily weak nation surrounded by empires, Israel survived through divine preservation, not human strength. God chose the weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). The post-exilic community, numerically and politically diminished, depended entirely on God's protection. This psalm was sung at Passover, remembering how God delivered slave-people from mighty Egypt—paradigmatic preservation of the simple and weak by the mighty and faithful God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your self-sufficiency or sophistication potentially block the divine help available to 'the simple'?
- What does it mean practically to depend on God as your keeper in daily life?
- How has being 'brought low' positioned you to experience God's saving help in ways prosperity never could?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. After crying out (v. 4), the psalmist testifies to deliverance. The LORD preserveth the simple (shomer petaim Yahweh, שֹׁמֵר פְּתָאיִים יְהוָה). Shomer (שֹׁמֵר) means to guard, keep, preserve. Petaim (פְּתָאיִים) means simple ones, open, naïve—those lacking sophistication or self-sufficiency.
This isn't praise for ignorance but recognition that God protects the vulnerable, those without resources to protect themselves. Proverbs uses petaim for the inexperienced who need wisdom (Proverbs 1:4). Here it describes those whose simplicity makes them dependent on God—the opposite of proud self-reliance. Jesus blessed the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) and revealed truth to 'babes' while hiding it from the wise and prudent (Matthew 11:25).
I was brought low, and he helped me (dalloti vehi yoshia, דַּלּוֹתִי וְלִי יְהוֹשִׁיעַ). Dalloti (דַּלּוֹתִי) means brought low, made weak, impoverished. Yoshia (יְהוֹשִׁיעַ) means to save, deliver—the root of Joshua/Jesus (Yeshua), 'Yahweh saves.' Personal testimony validates general principle: God preserves the simple, and I am living proof.