Psalms 119:116
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Original Language Analysis
סָמְכֵ֣נִי
Uphold
H5564
סָמְכֵ֣נִי
Uphold
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
1 of 6
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה
that I may live
H2421
וְאֶֽחְיֶ֑ה
that I may live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
3 of 6
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
4 of 6
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
Cross References
Romans 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.Psalms 25:2O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.1 Peter 2:6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Psalms 54:4Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.Psalms 37:24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Psalms 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.Romans 10:11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.Isaiah 45:17But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
Historical Context
Israel's hope was repeatedly tested through exile, persecution, and delay of promises. The psalmist's prayer reflects the tension between present weakness and future vindication. Those who trusted God's word despite circumstances were never ultimately ashamed (Dan 3:17-18, Heb 11:13-16).
Questions for Reflection
- What specific promises in God's word do you need Him to uphold you by today?
- How do you maintain hope in God's word when circumstances seem to contradict His promises?
- In what ways has God upheld you in the past, preventing you from being ashamed of your hope?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live (סָמְכֵנִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ וְאֶחְיֶה, sомkheni khe'imratкha ve'echyeh)—the verb samakh means support, sustain, uphold, like a pillar supporting a building. Without divine support, the psalmist will collapse. The plea is grounded according unto thy word—not arbitrary favor but covenant faithfulness to God's promises. That I may live shows the stakes: spiritual survival depends on God's upholding power.
And let me not be ashamed of my hope (וְאַל־תְּבִישֵׁנִי מִשִּׂבְרִי, ve'al-tevisheni misivri)—the verb bosh means to be put to shame, disappointed, confounded. Paul echoes this: Hope maketh not ashamed (Rom 5:5). The psalmist's confidence rests on God's proven reliability—those who hope in His word will never be ultimately disappointed, though they may suffer temporarily. This is the anchor of Christian assurance.