Psalms 119:117

KJV

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

KJV (with Strong's)

Hold thou me up {H5582}, and I shall be safe {H3467}: and I will have respect {H8159} unto thy statutes {H2706} continually {H8548}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Support me; and I will be saved, always putting my attention on your laws.

Berean Standard Bible

Uphold me, and I will be saved, that I may always regard Your statutes.

American Standard Version

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:117 presents a profound and deeply personal prayer, encapsulating the psalmist's dual plea for divine sustenance and a subsequent declaration of unwavering commitment to God's revealed will. It articulates a fundamental truth of the spiritual life: the believer's absolute dependence on God's upholding power for spiritual stability and safety, which then naturally flows into a heartfelt and continuous dedication to living in obedience to His statutes. This verse beautifully intertwines human vulnerability with divine faithfulness, portraying a responsive and devoted walk with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 stands as the longest chapter in the biblical canon, meticulously structured as an acrostic poem. Each of its 22 sections corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses in each section beginning with that letter. This psalm is a sustained and passionate meditation on the multifaceted nature of God's Law (Torah), employing a rich vocabulary of synonyms such as "statutes," "precepts," "commandments," "testimonies," and "judgments" to express profound love, devotion, and reliance upon God's Word as the ultimate source of life, wisdom, and guidance. Verse 117 is situated within the "Peh" (פ) section (verses 113-120), a segment where the psalmist frequently expresses personal struggles against the wicked and vocalizes a fervent need for God's direct intervention to preserve his integrity and steadfast commitment to divine decrees. This is evident in his earnest prayer for deliverance from oppressors in [Psalms 119:115](/psalms/119-115 "Psalms 119:115 - Deliverance from Evildoers") and his profound reliance on God's Word as a secure refuge, as articulated in [Psalms 119:114](/psalms/119-114 "Psalms 119:114 - God as Hiding Place and Shield").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The broader historical and cultural backdrop for Psalm 119 is ancient Israel, a nation whose very identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh were inextricably woven into the fabric of the Torah. For the Israelites, the Law was far more than a mere collection of regulations; it was God's gracious self-revelation and the blueprint for living in covenant faithfulness, intended to guide every facet of their individual and communal existence. In a world frequently hostile to monotheistic faith and righteous living, the Israelites faced incessant temptations to deviate from God's commands, alongside external pressures from surrounding nations and internal struggles with sin. The psalmist, serving as a representative voice for the faithful within Israel, deeply understood that living in accordance with God's exceedingly high standards necessitated not merely human resolve but, crucially, divine empowerment. This cultural reality underscores the profound need for God's active "upholding" in a society where departure from the Law could precipitate both spiritual decay and national calamity, thereby emphasizing the deep-seated reliance on God's covenant faithfulness for both individual flourishing and communal well-being.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that resonate throughout Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the theme of **Divine Sustenance and Preservation**, highlighting the psalmist's absolute and unwavering dependence on God for spiritual equilibrium and holistic safety. The heartfelt plea "Hold thou me up" serves as a profound acknowledgment of inherent human weakness and the indispensable necessity of God's active, continuous support to navigate life's myriad challenges and remain steadfast in faith. Secondly, the verse beautifully exemplifies the theme of **Responsive Obedience and Devotion**, portraying obedience not as a burdensome obligation but as a heartfelt commitment stemming from a deep-seated love for God and His Word. The psalmist's solemn promise to "have respect unto thy statutes continually" signifies a willing, ongoing dedication that flows directly from a recognition of God's upholding grace, powerfully echoing the profound principle found in [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Love God"). Finally, the verse powerfully reinforces the theme of **The Sufficiency and Centrality of God's Word**, demonstrating that adherence to God's statutes is the divinely appointed pathway to true safety and blessedness, and that the Word itself remains the enduring object of the believer's continuous respect, meditation, and delight, a truth celebrated throughout the entirety of [Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Glory of God's Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hold thou me up (Hebrew, _çâʻad'_):** This verb (H5582) signifies to support, to sustain, or to uphold. It implies a strong, active, and continuous act of support, akin to a sturdy pillar bracing a structure or a firm hand steadying someone on the verge of falling. The psalmist is not requesting passive observation but rather God's direct, powerful intervention to prevent stumbling or spiritual deviation. This plea reveals a profound recognition of human frailty and the absolute necessity of divine strength for spiritual perseverance.
* **Safe (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** The root (H3467) fundamentally means to be open, wide, or free, and by implication, to be safe. Causatively, it means to free or succor, encompassing concepts of deliverance, salvation, and victory. This "safety" transcends mere absence of harm; it denotes being brought into a state of holistic well-being, wholeness, and comprehensive deliverance from all forms of danger, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. This state of security is a direct, assured result of God's upholding power, leading to spiritual flourishing and confident stability in His presence.
* **Have respect unto (Hebrew, _shâʻâh'_):** This verb (H8159) means to gaze at or about, to inspect, to consider, or to regard with attention. It suggests a focused, intentional, and continuous turning of one's mind and heart towards God's statutes. This is far more than a casual glance or a fleeting thought; it implies deep consideration, profound reverence, and a deliberate orientation of one's entire life according to the divine commands. This "respect" is an active and ongoing commitment, reflecting a lifestyle of continuous meditation upon and diligent application of God's Word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hold thou me up":** This opening phrase is an urgent, deeply dependent prayer, revealing the psalmist's acute awareness of his own inherent weakness and spiritual vulnerability. He recognizes that without God's active, sustaining power, he is prone to stumble, fall, or deviate from the righteous path. It is a heartfelt plea for divine strength, enablement, and continuous support to persevere in faith and obedience.
* **"and I shall be safe":** This clause articulates the direct and certain consequence of God's upholding. The psalmist expresses unwavering confidence that divine support is the sole guarantee of true safety and security, not only from external perils but, more significantly, from spiritual compromise and failure. This safety encompasses a holistic well-being and deliverance that emanates from being firmly established in God's will and power.
* **"and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually":** This is a solemn declaration of commitment and a profound promise of unwavering obedience. It signifies the psalmist's firm resolve to live a life characterized by constant attention to, profound reverence for, and diligent adherence to God's commandments. This commitment is presented not as a prerequisite for God's upholding, but rather as a grateful, devoted, and natural response to it, demonstrating a perpetual dedication to God's revealed will.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:117 masterfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent device is **Prayer**, as the opening imperative "Hold thou me up" constitutes a direct, personal address to God, expressing a deep petition for divine intervention. This petition is immediately followed by a **Declarative Statement** ("and I shall be safe") and a **Vow** or **Pledge** ("and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually"), creating a powerful juxtaposition of God's action and the human response. There is a clear sense of **Cause and Effect** or **Conditionality** implied, though not transactional: *if* God upholds, *then* the psalmist will experience safety, and *as a result* of that divine upholding and safety, he will continually obey. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, linking divine sustenance with human obedience, suggesting that God's upholding empowers and enables the believer's commitment to His Word. Furthermore, the concept of God "holding up" can be understood as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine strength, unwavering support, and providential preservation, likening God to an unshakeable foundation or a strong, guiding hand that prevents spiritual collapse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully articulates the profound theological truth of divine sovereignty intertwined with human responsibility. It teaches that true spiritual stability and safety are not achieved through self-effort or human striving alone, but are a direct and gracious result of God's active, sustaining upholding. This divine sustenance, however, does not diminish or negate human agency; rather, it empowers and enables a life of continuous, heartfelt obedience to God's statutes. The psalmist's commitment to "have respect unto thy statutes continually" is a response of faith and love, demonstrating that God's grace leads to godliness, and that a life devoted to His Word is the natural and joyful outcome of experiencing His preserving power. This dynamic and interdependent relationship between God's upholding grace and the believer's obedient response is central to the covenant relationship established between God and His people.

* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Uphold")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling")
* [Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "Jude 1:24 - God is Able to Keep You from Falling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:117 offers a timeless and profoundly relevant blueprint for the daily walk of faith, inviting believers to embrace a posture of absolute dependence on God while simultaneously committing to a life of unwavering obedience. In a world that constantly seeks to destabilize our faith, distract us from divine truth, or tempt us to stray from righteousness, the psalmist's earnest prayer becomes our own: "Hold thou me up." This acknowledges our inherent weakness, our spiritual vulnerability, and the myriad dangers that surround us, directing our gaze not inward to our own limited strength, but upward to the One who is truly able to keep us from falling. Our safety, our spiritual equilibrium, and our perseverance are found not in self-reliance or human effort, but solely in God's active, sustaining grace. Furthermore, the verse powerfully reminds us that this divine upholding is not a license for spiritual passivity or complacency, but rather an empowerment for active, continuous reverence for God's Word. Our "respect unto thy statutes continually" is the tangible, living expression of our love and trust in the God who upholds us, transforming mere intellectual knowledge of His commands into a vibrant lifestyle of joyful, persistent obedience and devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most acutely feel the need for God to "hold you up," and what does that dependence look like in practice?**
* **How does recognizing your profound dependence on God's upholding power deepen and motivate your commitment to His Word?**
* **What does it mean practically to "have respect unto thy statutes continually" in the context of your daily routines, decisions, and relationships?**
* **How does this verse challenge any lingering tendencies towards self-reliance or spiritual independence in your personal journey of faith?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse balance divine sovereignty and human responsibility?**

Answer: Psalms 119:117 beautifully illustrates the dynamic and synergistic relationship between God's sovereign grace and human responsibility. The initial plea, "Hold thou me up," clearly acknowledges God's absolute power and the believer's utter dependence on divine intervention for safety and stability. This highlights God's sovereignty as the primary and indispensable source of strength and preservation. However, the subsequent declaration, "and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually," demonstrates the psalmist's active, ongoing commitment and responsibility to obey God's Word. This is not presented as a transactional bargain, but rather as a grateful and devoted response. God upholds the believer, thereby enabling them to live righteously, and the believer's continued respect for God's statutes is the natural fruit and tangible evidence of that divine upholding. It shows that God's grace empowers our obedience, and our obedience demonstrates our trust in His sustaining power, creating a dynamic, interdependent relationship rather than a rigid dichotomy. This echoes the New Testament principle that God "works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" ([Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in You")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:117 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist prayed for divine upholding to obey the Law, Jesus perfectly embodied this prayer, being continuously upheld by the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit, which enabled Him to perfectly fulfill every jot and tittle of the Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the only one in whom the Father was always well pleased, precisely because He continually had perfect "respect unto" God's statutes, even unto His obedient death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). For all believers, Christ is our ultimate "upholder" and the sole source of our true safety. It is through His finished work on the cross that we are truly "safe" from the penalty and power of sin, being justified by faith and secured by His resurrection power ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith") and [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Intercedes for Us")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, graciously given through Christ, now indwells believers, empowering us to "have respect unto thy statutes continually" not out of legalistic burden, but out of a new heart that delights in God's law and is enabled to walk in His ways ([Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - New Heart and Spirit")). In Christ, the prayer of the psalmist is fully answered: He upholds us, making us truly safe, and through His Spirit, He enables us to walk in obedience, reflecting His own perfect devotion to the Father's will and bringing glory to God ([John 14:23](/john/14-23 "John 14:23 - Abiding in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:6

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Jude 1:24

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Psalms 71:6

By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise [shall be] continually of thee.

Psalms 139:10

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, [that] my footsteps slip not.

John 10:28

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:29

My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.