I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

I will speak {H1696} of thy testimonies {H5713} also before kings {H4428}, and will not be ashamed {H954}.

I will speak of your instructions even to kings without being ashamed.

I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.

I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame.

Commentary on Psalms 119:46 (KJV)

Psalm 119:46 declares the psalmist's unwavering commitment to God's Word, even in the most intimidating circumstances. This verse is part of the longest psalm in the Bible, an acrostic poem where each stanza (eight verses) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist expresses profound love and devotion to God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies, seeing them as a guide, comfort, and source of life.

Key Themes

  • Unashamed Proclamation: The core message is a resolute determination to speak God's truth without fear or hesitation. The psalmist's willingness to speak "before kings" signifies the highest level of authority and potential opposition, yet he vows he "will not be ashamed." This highlights profound courage and conviction in the divine message.
  • God's Testimonies: The phrase "thy testimonies" refers to God's solemn declarations, His divine decrees, and the covenant stipulations He has revealed. These are reliable, trustworthy, and bear witness to His character and will. The psalmist finds his confidence not in himself, but in the inherent truth and power of God's Word.
  • Confidence in Truth: To not be "ashamed" implies a refusal to be intimidated, disgraced, or put to silence by human authority or societal pressure. This verse underscores the psalmist's deep conviction that God's truth stands above all earthly powers and that there is no valid reason to hide or compromise it.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "testimonies" is 'edot, which refers to God's solemn declarations, divine decrees, or covenant stipulations. It emphasizes the authoritative and binding nature of God's revealed will, serving as a witness to His character and expectations. The word for "ashamed" is bush, meaning to be put to shame, confounded, or disappointed. The psalmist asserts he will not be disgraced or intimidated into silence, even when confronted by those in positions of immense power.

Related Scriptures

This verse resonates deeply with the New Testament call for believers to be bold witnesses. The resolve to "not be ashamed" of God's Word finds a powerful echo in the apostle Paul's declaration, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Similarly, the apostles in Acts prayed for boldness to speak God's Word despite threats, asking, "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." The psalmist's commitment also reflects the enduring value of God's Word, which serves as a "lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 119:46 is a powerful encouragement to stand firm in faith and boldly share the truth of God's Word, regardless of the audience or potential opposition. It challenges us to prioritize God's approval over human fear or social pressure. Whether in professional settings, public forums, or among peers, this verse calls us to confidently articulate our beliefs and the hope we have in Christ, trusting in the unchanging and authoritative nature of His testimonies. It reminds us that our confidence comes from the truth we proclaim, not from our own strength or eloquence.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Romans 1:16

    ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
  • Matthew 10:18

    And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
  • Matthew 10:19

    But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
  • Acts 26:1

    ¶ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
  • Acts 26:2

    I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
  • Psalms 138:1

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
  • Mark 8:38

    Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

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