Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Support me according to your promises, so that I may live; and don't let me be disappointed in my hope.
The writer is asking God to keep His promises and give him strength to live, while protecting him from the shame of having his hope in God prove empty.
📚 Historical Context
Psalms 119 is an acrostic poem in the Book of Psalms, traditionally attributed to King David, and it serves as a lengthy meditation on the importance of God's law during times when the Israelites faced external enemies and internal spiritual struggles. In this verse, the psalmist pleads for divine support based on God's promises to enable a life of faithfulness and to avoid the shame of unfulfilled hope, reflecting the ancient Hebrew culture's deep reliance on covenant relationships for survival and moral guidance. This fits into the broader biblical narrative of the Psalms, which often express personal cries for help amidst adversity.
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