Bible Strands
Psalms 119:46
I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist declares a personal commitment to publicly declare God's testimonies in the presence of royal authorities. This statement follows a declaration of walking in freedom and precedes an expression of delight in God's commandments.
The words — The Hebrew verb אֲדַבְּרָה (ʾădabbəṯāh, "I will speak") and the noun מְלָכִים (məlākîm, "kings") frame the verse's core action and audience. The psalmist pairs this public declaration with the negation אֵבֹשׁ (ʾēḇōš, "I will be ashamed") to emphasize unyielding confidence.
The thread — This theme of unashamed public witness before rulers appears in Romans 1:16, where the gospel is proclaimed without shame, and Matthew 10:18, which predicts believers being brought before governors and kings as witnesses. The pattern continues in Acts 26:1, where Paul exercises his right to defend himself before King Agrippa.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader to publicly affirm divine instructions without fear of human judgment. It requires the same unflinching confidence in God's authority that the psalmist demonstrates before earthly power.
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 will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Cross-references
- Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek.
- Matthew 10:18 On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
- Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
- Psalms 138:1 Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.
- Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
- Daniel 4:1 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the people of every nation and language who dwell in all the earth: May your prosperity be multiplied.
- Daniel 4:25 You will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field. You will feed on grass like an ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.
- Acts 26:24 At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
- Philippians 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.