Psalms 145:14
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
Original Language Analysis
סוֹמֵ֣ךְ
upholdeth
H5564
סוֹמֵ֣ךְ
upholdeth
Strong's:
H5564
Word #:
1 of 7
to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֹּפְלִ֑ים
all that fall
H5307
הַנֹּפְלִ֑ים
all that fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
4 of 7
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Psalms 146:8The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:Psalms 37:24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Psalms 94:18When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.Psalms 119:117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.Psalms 38:6I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.Psalms 42:5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings often portrayed themselves as protectors of widows, orphans, and the oppressed, but such claims were usually propaganda. David proclaims that God truly fulfills this royal ideal, caring for society's most vulnerable. This established the standard by which Israel's kings would be judged (Psalm 72:12-14).
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers extend God's upholding grace to those experiencing moral, spiritual, or circumstantial falls?
- What promises sustain Christians when feeling overwhelmed by burdens that bow them down?
- In what ways should the church institutionally embody God's care for the falling and bowed down?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. God's kingdom (vv. 11-13) manifests in compassionate action toward the vulnerable. Somekh Yahweh lĕkhol-hannoflim (סוֹמֵךְ יְהוָה לְכָל־הַנֹּפְלִים) "Yahweh supports all who fall"—the participle somekh (סוֹמֵךְ) indicates continuous, habitual action. God doesn't merely prevent falls but supports those who have fallen, whether morally, circumstantially, or physically.
Raiseth up all those that be bowed down (vĕzoqef lĕkhol-hakĕfufim, וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל־הַכְּפוּפִים)—kĕfufim (כְּפוּפִים) describes those bent over by burdens, oppression, or grief. Jesus embodied this compassion, healing the woman bent double for eighteen years (Luke 13:11-13). God's upholding grace sustains believers through trials until final glorification.