Psalms 119:117

Psalm 119:117 is a profound prayer and declaration of commitment from the longest chapter in the Bible, focusing on the psalmist's deep love and reliance on God's Word. It beautifully intertwines a plea for divine support with a promise of unwavering obedience.

Context

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, with each section of eight verses beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a magnificent ode to the Torah, God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies. The psalmist repeatedly expresses profound devotion to God's Word, acknowledging it as the source of life, wisdom, and guidance. Verse 117 falls within the "Peh" (or "Pe") section, where the focus often shifts to the psalmist's personal walk and dependence on God amidst various challenges, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to uphold his commitment to the statutes.

Key Themes

• Divine Sustenance and Safety: The opening plea, "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe," highlights the psalmist's utter dependence on God for stability and security. It acknowledges that true safety is not self-derived but comes from God's active preservation and upholding power.
• Obedience as a Response: The second part, "and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually," reveals the psalmist's commitment to God's law as a direct response to God's faithfulness. This isn't a transactional bargain but a heartfelt promise stemming from a desire to please God and live according to His will.
• Continual Devotion: The word "continually" emphasizes an ongoing, unwavering commitment to God's statutes, not just in times of ease but through all circumstances. It speaks to a lifestyle of persistent obedience and reverence for God's Word.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "Hold thou me up" is samak (סָמַךְ), which means to lean upon, uphold, support, or sustain. It conveys a sense of active, strong support, like a pillar holding up a structure. The psalmist is not asking for passive observation but for God to actively intervene and strengthen him. "Safe" comes from yasha' (יָשַׁע), meaning to save, deliver, or be victorious. It implies being brought to a place of security and deliverance from danger. "Have respect unto thy statutes" uses the Hebrew shaa (שָׁעָה), which means to gaze, look at, or regard. It implies a deep attention and consideration, not just casual observance, but an intentional turning of one's mind and heart towards God's commandments.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:117 offers a timeless model for the believer's walk. It reminds us that:

• Our Safety is in God: We are constantly in need of God's sustaining grace. When we feel overwhelmed or tempted to stray, our prayer should be, "Hold thou me up." This echoes the sentiment found in Isaiah 41:10, where God promises to uphold His people with His righteous right hand.
• Obedience is a Lifestyle: Our commitment to God's Word should be continuous and heartfelt. It's not enough to know His commands; we must actively "have respect unto" them, allowing them to guide our daily lives and decisions. This consistent obedience is a hallmark of true faith, as Jesus Himself taught in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
• Prayer and Obedience are Intertwined: The verse demonstrates that our dependence on God (prayer) and our devotion to His Word (obeying His statutes) are not separate but deeply connected. God upholds us so that we can obey, and our obedience demonstrates our trust in His upholding power.