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Commentary on Psalms 119 verses 116–117
Here, 1. David prays for sustaining grace; for this grace sufficient he besought the Lord twice: Uphold me; and again, Hold thou me up. He sees himself not only unable to go on in his duty by any strength of his own, but in danger of falling into sin unless he was prevented by divine grace; and therefore he is thus earnest for that grace to uphold him in his integrity (Psa 41:12), to keep him from falling and to keep him from tiring, that he might neither turn aside to evil-doing nor be weary of well-doing. We stand no longer than God holds us and go no further than he carries us. 2. He pleads earnestly for this grace. (1.) He pleads the promise of God, his dependence upon the promise, and his expectation from it: "Uphold me, according to thy word, which word I hope in; and, if it be not performed, I shall be made ashamed of my hope, and be called a fool for my credulity." But those that hope in God's word may be sure that the word will not fail them, and therefore their hope will not make them ashamed. (2.) He pleads the great need he had of God's grace and the great advantage it would be of to him: Uphold me, that I may live, intimating that he could not live without the grace of God; he should fall into sin, into death, into hell, if God did not hold him up; but, supported by his hand, he shall live; his spiritual life shall be maintained and be an earnest of eternal life. Hold me up, and I shall be safe, out of danger and out of the fear of danger. Our holy security is grounded on divine supports. (3.) He pleads his resolution, in the strength of this grace, to proceed in his duty: "Hold me up, and then I will have respect unto thy statutes continually and never turn my eyes or feet aside from them." I will employ myself (so some), I will delight myself (so others) in thy statutes. If God's right hand uphold us, we must, in his strength, go on in our duty both with diligence and pleasure.
And, as though it were answered him in silence, Thou dost not wish to be disappointed of your hope? Cease not to meditate upon My righteousnesses: and, feeling that this meditation is usually hindered by the weaknesses of the soul, "Help me," he says, "and I shall be safe; yea, I will meditate in Your righteousnesses always" [Psalm 119:117].
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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).
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). 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). 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 and Romans 8:34). 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). 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).