Psalms 119:146

KJV

I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

KJV (with Strong's)

I cried {H7121} unto thee; save {H3467} me, and I shall keep {H8104} thy testimonies {H5713}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am calling on you; save me; and I will observe your instruction.

Berean Standard Bible

I call to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies.

American Standard Version

I have called unto thee; save me, And I shall observe thy testimonies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 119:146 presents a fervent cry from the psalmist to God for salvation, explicitly linking this plea for deliverance to a solemn vow of future obedience to God's divine testimonies. It encapsulates a profound theological truth: genuine reliance on God's saving grace is inextricably tied to a heart committed to walking in His revealed will, demonstrating that salvation empowers and motivates sanctification rather than negating the need for it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses dedicated to each letter. This particular verse falls within the "Qoph" section (verses 145-152). Throughout the psalm, the author expresses an unwavering love and devotion to God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, and testimonies, often in the face of intense affliction, opposition, and persecution. The preceding verses in the Qoph section (e.g., [Psalm 119:145](/psalms/119-145 "Psalm 119:145 - Wholehearted Cry") and [Psalm 119:147](/psalms/119-147 "Psalm 119:147 - Early Morning Prayer")) consistently portray the psalmist's earnest prayer and seeking of God, often in the early morning or with his whole heart, underscoring the depth of his spiritual discipline and dependence. Verse 146 is a direct and urgent petition, reflecting the psalmist's distress and his conviction that God's deliverance is the prerequisite for his continued faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The context of Psalm 119 is generally understood as the experience of a devout Israelite living under the Old Covenant, deeply immersed in the Mosaic Law. The "testimonies" (Hebrew: *’edot*) refer to God's covenantal stipulations, His divine pronouncements that bear witness to His character and His will for His people. In ancient Israel, the Law was not merely a set of rules but the very revelation of God's wisdom and the pathway to life and blessing (cf. [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life")). The act of "crying out" (Hebrew: *qara’*) to God was a common and culturally accepted form of desperate prayer in times of distress, signifying a complete reliance on divine intervention. This supplication was often accompanied by vows, where the petitioner promised a specific action or lifestyle change upon receiving God's deliverance, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Prayer in Distress**, where the righteous turn to God as their ultimate source of help amidst adversity, as seen in numerous psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalm 3:4](/psalms/3-4 "Psalm 3:4 - Cry to the Lord")). Secondly, it emphasizes **Divine Salvation and Deliverance**, acknowledging that true rescue and preservation come solely from God's hand. Thirdly, and crucially, it underscores the **Inseparable Link Between Grace and Obedience**. The psalmist's plea for salvation is not for an escape from responsibility but for the strength and ability to live in accordance with God's word, demonstrating that God's saving work is intended to transform lives into greater conformity with His will, a principle echoed in [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11-12 - Grace Teaches Godliness"). Finally, it speaks to the **Sufficiency and Authority of God's Word**, portraying His testimonies not as burdensome rules but as life-giving directives that the believer desires to uphold.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cried (Hebrew, _qara'_):** This verb signifies a strong, urgent, and often public calling out, a summoning, or a proclamation. It implies a desperate, wholehearted appeal, not a casual request. In this context, it conveys the psalmist's deep distress and his earnest, unreserved reliance on God as his only hope for rescue. It's a cry of utter dependence.
* **Save (Hebrew, _yasha'_):** This is a fundamental biblical term meaning to deliver, rescue, liberate, or bring salvation. It encompasses physical deliverance from danger, oppression, or enemies, as well as spiritual salvation from sin and its consequences. Here, it refers to God's active intervention to extricate the psalmist from his current affliction, enabling him to continue his devotion.
* **Testimonies (Hebrew, _‘edah_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bear witness," *‘edah* refers to God's decrees, laws, or covenant stipulations that serve as a witness to His character, His will, and His covenant with Israel. These are not merely rules but divine pronouncements, reminders of God's faithfulness and His expectations for His people. The psalmist's commitment to "keep" them implies not just intellectual assent but active observance and preservation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I cried unto thee;":** This opening clause establishes the psalmist's posture of desperate prayer and direct address to God. The use of "cried" (Hebrew: *qara'*) indicates a fervent, urgent, and potentially loud appeal, born out of a profound sense of need or distress. It signifies a complete turning to God as the sole source of help, bypassing all other potential avenues of relief. This is a personal, intimate, and wholehearted supplication.
* **"save me, ":** This is the immediate, direct petition for divine intervention. The psalmist acknowledges his inability to deliver himself from his predicament and places his entire hope in God's power to rescue him. The request for "salvation" (Hebrew: *yasha'*) is comprehensive, encompassing deliverance from whatever affliction he is facing—whether physical danger, persecution, or spiritual distress—and implying a desire for restoration and well-being.
* **"and I shall keep thy testimonies.":** This final clause articulates the psalmist's vow or commitment, which is directly linked to his request for salvation. It reveals the motivation behind his desire for deliverance: not merely relief from suffering, but the ability and freedom to continue living in obedience to God's revealed will. The phrase "I shall keep" (Hebrew: *’eshmerah*) implies careful observance, guarding, and preserving God's testimonies, indicating a deep-seated desire for faithfulness and a recognition that God's salvation empowers such obedience. This creates a reciprocal relationship: God's grace enables obedience, and obedience demonstrates a heart transformed by grace.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 119:146 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Supplication**, where the psalmist directly appeals to God for help, expressing a deep sense of need and dependence. This is immediately followed by a **Vow of Obedience**, creating a powerful juxtaposition that highlights the ethical dimension of salvation—deliverance is sought not for self-indulgence but for renewed faithfulness. The structure of the verse itself demonstrates **Parallelism** in its cause-and-effect relationship: "save me" (cause/request) is linked to "and I shall keep thy testimonies" (effect/response). There is also an element of **Conditional Language** (implied, though not explicit "if...then" structure), where the psalmist's future obedience is presented as the natural and desired outcome of God's saving action. Finally, the use of "testimonies" is a form of **Metonymy**, where a specific part (God's decrees) stands for the whole of God's revealed will or the Mosaic Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 119:146 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that salvation is not merely an end in itself but a means to a life of devoted obedience to God. The psalmist's cry for deliverance is not a plea for an easier life devoid of responsibility, but for the grace and strength to fulfill his commitment to God's testimonies. This dynamic relationship between divine grace and human response is a cornerstone of covenant theology, where God's initiative in saving and delivering His people is met with their grateful and obedient walk in His ways. It underscores that true faith is active and transformative, leading to a desire to honor God with one's life. This verse serves as a model for believers, reminding us that our petitions for God's intervention should always be rooted in a desire to glorify Him through our faithfulness.

* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalm 34:17 - The Righteous Cry Out")
* [Romans 6:1-2](/romans/6-1-2 "Living in Grace and Righteousness")
* [Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Grace Teaches Godliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 119:146 offers a timeless blueprint for the believer's prayer life and spiritual walk. When we find ourselves in distress, facing overwhelming challenges, or wrestling with temptation, our first instinct should be to cry out to God, just as the psalmist did. This verse reminds us that God is our ultimate rescuer and that His power to save extends to every area of our lives—physical, emotional, and spiritual. However, the verse also challenges our motivations: do we seek God's deliverance merely for our comfort, or do we desire it so that we might be better equipped to live out His will? The psalmist's vow, "and I shall keep thy testimonies," reveals a heart that understands salvation as empowerment for sanctification. Our experience of God's grace should deepen our commitment to obedience, inspiring us to walk more faithfully in His word. This verse calls us to examine our own prayers, ensuring that our desire for God's intervention is always coupled with a renewed resolve to honor Him through a life of devotion and adherence to His revealed truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently crying out to God for salvation or deliverance?**
* **How does your desire for God's help align with your commitment to obey His word?**
* **What specific "testimonies" or commands of God do you find most challenging to keep, and how might seeking God's "salvation" in that area empower your obedience?**
* **How does the psalmist's example encourage you to integrate your prayers for help with your vows of faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What does "testimonies" mean in the context of Psalm 119:146?**

Answer: In Psalm 119:146, "testimonies" (Hebrew: *‘edah*) refers to God's divine decrees, laws, and covenant stipulations. These are not merely human rules but God's own pronouncements that bear witness to His character, His will, and His covenant relationship with His people. They are the authoritative revelations of God's truth, intended to guide, instruct, and remind believers of their obligations and privileges within the covenant. The psalmist's desire to "keep" them signifies a commitment to carefully observe, guard, and preserve these divine instructions as the pathway to a life pleasing to God. This term is one of many synonyms used throughout Psalm 119 (e.g., statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments, word, law) to emphasize the multifaceted nature of God's revealed will.

**Does this verse imply that God's salvation is conditional upon our obedience?**

Answer: This verse does not imply that God's initial salvation (justification) is earned by human obedience. Instead, it illustrates the intrinsic connection between God's saving grace and the believer's subsequent response of obedience. The psalmist's plea for "save me" is a recognition of his desperate need for God's unmerited intervention. His subsequent vow, "and I shall keep thy testimonies," is a demonstration of a transformed heart that desires to live in alignment with God's will precisely *because* of God's saving work. It reflects the biblical truth that genuine faith is active and produces fruit (cf. [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")). God's salvation empowers and enables obedience, rather not being a reward for it. It's a pattern seen throughout Scripture: God saves His people, and they respond in grateful obedience (e.g., [Exodus 20:2-6](/exodus/20-2 "Exodus 20:2-6 - The Ten Commandments Introduction")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 119:146 is a prayer from an Old Testament saint, its themes find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's cry for "save me" foreshadows the universal human need for the salvation that only Christ can provide. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering deliverance not just from temporal distress but from the eternal consequences of sin. Furthermore, the psalmist's vow to "keep thy testimonies" finds its perfect embodiment in Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He lived a life of complete and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Under the New Covenant, believers are saved by grace through faith in Christ (cf. [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")), and this salvation empowers us to live lives of obedience, not by our own strength, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables us to walk in God's statutes (cf. [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Psalm 119:146 points us to Christ as both the source of our salvation and the perfect model and enabler of our obedience to God's transformed and Spirit-written law.

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 119:134

¶ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Judges 10:15

And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.

Judges 10:16

And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Titus 3:4

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3:8

[This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.