Bible Strands
Psalms 119:116
Sustain me as You promised, that I may live; let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, near the close of Psalm 119's final stanza, having just called evildoers to depart and about to ask for upholding.
The words — סָמְכֵנִי (sāməḵēnî, H5564) is a physical verb meaning "brace" or "prop up," as one braces a leaning post; the speaker asks God to do this for him according to His word.
The thread — The plea "do not let me be ashamed of my hope" echoes Psalms 25:2 and finds its New Testament counterpart in Romans 5:5, where hope is said not to disappoint because God's love is poured out through the Spirit.
Why it lands — The verse treats hope as something that can be put to shame, which means it is a concrete stake in a promise rather than a mood. It asks the reader to see that the request is not for comfort but for God to hold His own word firm enough to keep the petitioner alive.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Cross-references
- Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
- Psalms 25:2 in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.
- 1 Peter 2:6 For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Psalms 37:24 Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Romans 10:11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Psalms 37:17 For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
- Psalms 54:4 Surely God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.
- Psalms 63:8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
- Psalms 94:18 If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me.