Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Psalms 116:6 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ps 116:6	Strong Concordance	The LORD [03068] preserveth [08104] the simple [06612]: I was brought low [01809], and he helped [03467] me.
	King James	The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The Lord preserveth the simple - The Septuagint renders this "babes" - νήπια nēpia. The Hebrew word has reference to simplicity or folly, as in Pro 1:22. It then refers to those who are the opposite of cautious or cunning; to those who are open to persuasion; to those who are easily enticed or seduced. The verb from which the word is derived - פתה pâthâh - means to open, to expand; then, to be open, frank, ingenuous, easily persuaded or enticed. Thus it may express either the idea of being simple in the sense of being foolish, easily seduced and led astray; or, simple in the sense of being open, frank, ingenuous, trustful, sincere. The latter is evidently its meaning here. It refers to one of the characteristics of true piety - that of unsuspecting trust in God. It would describe one who yields readily to truth and duty; one who has singleness of aim in the desire to honor God; one who is without guile, trick, or cunning. Such a man was Nathanael Joh 1:47 : "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." The Hebrew word used here is rendered simple, Psa 19:7; Psa 119:130; Pro 1:4, Pro 1:22, Pro 1:32; Pro 7:7; Pro 8:5; Pro 9:4; Pro 14:15, Pro 14:18; Pro 19:25; Pro 21:11; Pro 22:3; Pro 27:12; Eze 45:20; and foolish, Pro 9:6. It does not elsewhere occur. The meaning here is, that the Lord preserves or keeps those who have simple and unwavering trust in him; those who are sincere in their professions; those who rely on his word. I was brought low - By affliction and trial. The Hebrew literally means to hang down, to be pendulous, to swing, to wave - as a bucket in a well, or as the slender branches of the palm, the willow, etc. Then it means to be slack, feeble, weak, as in sickness, etc. See the notes at Psa 79:8. Here it probably refers to the prostration of strength by disease. And he helped me - He gave me strength; he restored me.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The Lord preserveth the simple - The Septuagint renders this "babes" - νήπια nēpia. The Hebrew word has reference to simplicity or folly, as in Pro 1:22. It then refers to those who are the opposite of cautious or cunning; to those who are open to persuasion; to those who are easily enticed or seduced. The verb from which the word is derived - פתה pâthâh - means to open, to expand; then, to be open, frank, ingenuous, easily persuaded or enticed. Thus it may express either the idea of being simple in the sense of being foolish, easily seduced and led astray; or, simple in the sense of being open, frank, ingenuous, trustful, sincere. The latter is evidently its meaning here. It refers to one of the characteristics of true piety - that of unsuspecting trust in God. It would describe one who yields readily to truth and duty; one who has singleness of aim in the desire to honor God; one who is without guile, trick, or cunning. Such a man was Nathanael Joh 1:47 : "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." The Hebrew word used here is rendered simple, Psa 19:7; Psa 119:130; Pro 1:4, Pro 1:22, Pro 1:32; Pro 7:7; Pro 8:5; Pro 9:4; Pro 14:15, Pro 14:18; Pro 19:25; Pro 21:11; Pro 22:3; Pro 27:12; Eze 45:20; and foolish, Pro 9:6. It does not elsewhere occur. The meaning here is, that the Lord preserves or keeps those who have simple and unwavering trust in him; those who are sincere in their professions; those who rely on his word.

I was brought low - By affliction and trial. The Hebrew literally means to hang down, to be pendulous, to swing, to wave - as a bucket in a well, or as the slender branches of the palm, the willow, etc. Then it means to be slack, feeble, weak, as in sickness, etc. See the notes at Psa 79:8. Here it probably refers to the prostration of strength by disease.

And he helped me - He gave me strength; he restored me.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
The Lord preserved the simple - פתאים pethaim, which all the Versions render little ones. Those who are meek and lowly of heart, who feel the spirit of little children, these he preserves, as he does little children; and he mentions this circumstance, because the Lord has a peculiar regard for these young ones, and gives his angels charge concerning them. Were it otherwise, children are exposed to so many dangers and deaths, that most of them would fall victims to accidents in their infancy.

Top

⁸ O remember [02142] not against us former [07223] iniquities [05771]: let thy tender mercies [07356] speedily [04118] prevent [06923] us: for we are brought [01809] very [03966] low [01809].

⁶ Forsake [05800] the foolish [06612], and live [02421]; and go [0833] in the way [01870] of understanding [0998].

²⁰ And so thou shalt do [06213] the seventh [07651] day of the month [02320] for every one [0376] that erreth [07686], and for him that is simple [06612]: so shall ye reconcile [03722] the house [01004].

¹² A prudent [06175] man foreseeth [07200] the evil [07451], and hideth [05641] himself; but the simple [06612] pass on [05674], and are punished [06064].

³ A prudent [06175] man foreseeth [07200] the evil [07451], and hideth [05641] [05641] himself: but the simple [06612] pass on [05674], and are punished [06064].

¹¹ When the scorner [03887] is punished [06064], the simple [06612] is made wise [02449]: and when the wise [02450] is instructed [07919], he receiveth [03947] knowledge [01847].

²⁵ Smite [05221] a scorner [03887], and the simple [06612] will beware [06191]: and reprove [03198] one that hath understanding [0995], and he will understand [0995] knowledge [01847].

¹⁸ The simple [06612] inherit [05157] folly [0200]: but the prudent [06175] are crowned [03803] with knowledge [01847].

¹⁵ The simple [06612] believeth [0539] every word [01697]: but the prudent [06175] man looketh well [0995] to his going [0838].

⁴ Whoso is simple [06612], let him turn in [05493] hither: as for him that wanteth [02638] understanding [03820], she saith [0559] to him,

⁵ O ye simple [06612], understand [0995] wisdom [06195]: and, ye fools [03684], be ye of an understanding [0995] heart [03820].

⁷ And beheld [07200] among the simple ones [06612], I discerned [0995] among the youths [01121], a young man [05288] void [02638] of understanding [03820],

³² For the turning away [04878] of the simple [06612] shall slay [02026] them, and the prosperity [07962] of fools [03684] shall destroy [06] them.

²² How long, ye simple ones [06612], will ye love [0157] simplicity [06612]? and the scorners [03887] delight [02530] in their scorning [03944], and fools [03684] hate [08130] knowledge [01847]?

⁴ To give [05414] subtilty [06195] to the simple [06612], to the young man [05288] knowledge [01847] and discretion [04209].

¹³⁰ The entrance [06608] of thy words [01697] giveth light [0215]; it giveth understanding [0995] unto the simple [06612].

⁷ The law [08451] of the LORD [03068] is perfect [08549], converting [07725] the soul [05315]: the testimony [05715] of the LORD [03068] is sure [0539], making wise [02449] the simple [06612].

⁴⁷ Jesus [2424] saw [1492] Nathanael [3482] coming [2064] to [4314] him [846], and [2532] saith [3004] of [4012] him [846], Behold [2396] an Israelite [2475] indeed [230], in [1722] whom [3739] is [2076] no [3756] guile [1388]!

²² How long, ye simple ones [06612], will ye love [0157] simplicity [06612]? and the scorners [03887] delight [02530] in their scorning [03944], and fools [03684] hate [08130] knowledge [01847]?