Bible Strands
Psalms 119:31
I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, declaring personal commitment to divine instruction immediately after choosing truth and placing God's ordinances before himself. This plea for preservation from disgrace marks the transition from deliberate contemplation to active pursuit of the commandments.
The words — The Hebrew verb דָּבַקְתִּי (da.Vak.ti) literally means "I have clung," expressing an unbreakable attachment to עֵדֹתֶיךָ (e.de.vo.Tei.kha), "your testimonies." The speaker pairs this grip with the plea אַל־תְּבִישֵׁנִי ('al-te.vi.She.ni), "may you not put me to shame," grounding the commitment in divine accountability.
The thread — This pattern of steadfast attachment to divine instruction echoes the call to invest in truth without selling it (Proverbs 23:23) and the condition for true discipleship in continuing in Christ's word (John 8:31). The psalmist's plea against shame anticipates the New Testament assurance that hope does not disappoint because God pours out love through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to maintain a fixed grip on God's recorded commands rather than abandoning them under pressure. It demands a posture of reliance where divine preservation, not human endurance, prevents disgrace.
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
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 23:23 Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.
- John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
- 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.
- Acts 11:23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
- Isaiah 45:17 But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or humiliated, to ages everlasting.
- 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.
- Psalms 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You.
- 1 John 2:28 And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.
- Deuteronomy 4:4 But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive to this day, every one of you.
- Deuteronomy 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.