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Psalm 119:116
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
114You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
Notice
“Uphold me” makes dependence plain: the speaker asks God to sustain life according to his word, while voicing the fear of hope ending in shame.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Where in your life would you want to pray the words “Uphold me” today?
Write on thisWhat difference does “according to your word” make to the support you are asking God for?
Write on thisWhat would being ashamed of your hope mean in something you face today?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Romans 5:5and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.The psalm asks that hope will not end in shame; Romans declares that hope does not disappoint because of God’s love.
Psalm 119:133Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.Both prayers ask God to give support according to his word, one for life and the other for footsteps free from iniquity’s dominion.
Psalm 25:2My God, I have trusted in you. Don’t let me be shamed. Don’t let my enemies triumph over me.Both prayers bring trust in God together with a plea that the person trusting him will not be shamed.
1 Peter 2:6Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious. He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”The psalm asks that hope will not bring shame; Peter quotes Scripture’s assurance that whoever believes in the chosen cornerstone will not be disappointed.
Isaiah 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the …The psalm’s request that God uphold the speaker shares its central word with God’s promise in Isaiah to uphold those he addresses.
Psalm 37:24Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for the LORD holds him up with his hand.Both passages describe dependence on God’s support: one asks to be upheld, and the other says the LORD holds up someone who stumbles.
Romans 10:11For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”The plea against shame in the psalm shares a concern with Romans’ assurance that whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.
Psalm 54:4Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.The request for God to uphold life corresponds to Psalm 54’s confession that God helps and sustains the speaker.
Isaiah 45:17Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting.Both passages address the prospect of disappointment: the psalm asks for hope without shame, while Isaiah promises Israel salvation without disappointment.
Isaiah 42:1“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.Both speak of God upholding someone: the psalm asks for support, while Isaiah names a servant whom God upholds.
Romans 9:32–33Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,The shared thread is limited: the psalm expresses hope grounded in God’s word, while Romans contrasts seeking by faith with seeking by works.
Philippians 1:20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my …Both speakers express hope and a desire to avoid shame or disappointment; Paul connects that hope with Christ being magnified in his body.
Where this verse fits
Waiting. fear for the future. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The plea for support and the fear of shame belong in the same prayer. Hope here depends on God to uphold the person who trusts his word.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).