Psalms 116:6 — Word Study
WLCשֹׁמֵ֣ר פְּתָאיִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י וְלִ֣י יְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃
BSAThe LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] preservesshâmar [to keep, watch over, protect] the simpleheartedpᵉthîy [easily influenced, naive, or weak] I was helplessdâlal■ [brought low, languishing] He saved meyâshaʻ▸ [delivered, freed from danger]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| שֹׁמֵ֣ר | [is] protecting | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine singular |
| פְּתָאיִ֣ם | simple people | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יְהֹוָ֑ה | Yahweh | Noun proper |
| דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י | I had become low | Verb, Qal, perfect first person common singular |
| וְלִ֣י | and me | Conjunction, preposition, suffix |
| יְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ | he saved | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me. |
| KJV | The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. |
| ASV | Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me. |
| YLT | A preserver of the simple [is] Jehovah, I was low, and to me He giveth salvation. |
| WEB | Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me. |
| BBE | The Lord keeps the simple; I was made low, and he was my saviour. |
The translations agree on the protective nature of the LORD, particularly in the term שֹׁמֵ֣ר.
The verse is structured with a main clause followed by two subordinate clauses, emphasizing the relationship between God's protection and the psalmist's experience of salvation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectיהוה
verbשָׁמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 116:6
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Psalm of Thanksgivinggenerated
Psalm 116:6 expresses the psalmist's gratitude for God's protection and salvation. The psalmist acknowledges his own helplessness and highlights God's care for the simplehearted, those who may be easily influenced or vulnerable. This theme of divine protection is common in the Psalms, where the faithful often seek refuge in the LORD amidst their struggles, as seen in the surrounding verses of this psalm.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 19:7 | The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. |
| 2 | Psalm 25:21 | May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You. |
| 3 | Isaiah 35:8 | And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it— only those who walk in the Way— and fools will not stray onto it. |
| 4 | Matthew 11:25 | At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. |
| 5 | Romans 16:19 | Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — שֹׁמֵ֣ר, sho.Mergenerated
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a verb meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It conveys a sense of active protection and vigilance, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath. In this verse, it emphasizes God's role in watching over the simplehearted, ensuring their safety and well-being.
The participial form indicates ongoing action — God is continuously protecting. This reflects a relational aspect of God’s care, as He is actively involved in the lives of those who are vulnerable or naive.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of multiple clauses, with the main action centered on the finite verb שֹׁמֵ֣ר, protecting. The structure emphasizes God's active role as the subject who protects the simplehearted.
The subsequent clauses detail the state of the psalmist and the action of salvation, creating a flow from God's protective nature to the personal experience of being saved.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שֹׁמֵ֣ר as φυλάσσων, which also means to guard or protect. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, emphasizing God's safeguarding role.
The translation of יְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ as ἔσωσέν indicates a direct action of saving, reinforcing the theme of deliverance found in both texts.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 116:6 shows that the LORD takes care of those who are simplehearted, meaning those who are easily influenced or vulnerable. The psalmist expresses his own helplessness and acknowledges that God saved him. This verse highlights God's protective nature and His willingness to help those in need.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God actively protects and cares for those who are naive or vulnerable, ensuring their safety.
The psalmist acknowledges his own weakness and need for God's intervention, highlighting the dependence on divine help.
This verse reflects a common theme in the Psalms where the faithful express gratitude for God's protection and deliverance from distress.
It reminds us of the importance of humility and reliance on God, recognizing our vulnerabilities and the need for His guidance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's protection in my own life?
- How can I learn to trust God more fully, especially in my moments of weakness?
- What does it mean to be simplehearted, and how can I apply that understanding in my relationships?
- How can I support others who may be feeling helpless or vulnerable?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss God's grace and human humility, emphasizing the need to rely on divine assistance.
Let us therefore despise whatever good we do; let no work of ours puff us up, let neither abundance of possessions nor glory exalt us. If we swell inwardly from any good things that abound to us, we are despised by God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 116 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 116:6 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe Lord preserveth the simple,.... Such as have but a small degree of understanding, either in things natural or spiritual, in comparison of others; babes, as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac,
Read John Gill on Psalms 116 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 116 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe simple; sincere and plain-hearted persons, who dare not use those frauds and crafty and wicked artifices in saving themselves or destroying their enemies, but wait upon God with honest hearts in his way and for his time of deliverance; which was the case of David, who, though he had the prospect and the promise of the kingdom, yet would not make haste to it by indirect courses, as by cutting off Saul, when he had great provocation and fair opportunity to do it; of which see 1Sa 24 1 Samuel 26. Such persons he calls simple or foolish, as this word is commonly rendered, not because they are really so, but because the world esteems them so.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 116 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.Ver. 6. The Lord preserveth, the simple] Heb. the persuasible (opposed to the scorner, Proverbs 19:25), the plain hearted (opposed to the guileful, 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 11:3 Romans 16:19), the destitute of human help, that committeth himself to God, and patiently resteth on him for support and help, Psalms 102:1-17. I was brought low] Or, drawn dry; I was at a great under, at a low ebb; I was exhausted or emptied as a pond, strengthless, succourless, clean gone in a manner. And he helped me] The knowledge that David had of God’ s goodness was experimental. See the like Romans 8:2. A carnal man…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 116 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) The simple.—Inexperienced, in a good sense, as often in Proverbs. LXX. and Vulg., “babes.” Brought low.—See Note, Psalms 30:2.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 116 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 6. 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.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 116 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges6. the simple] Those whose want of wisdom and experience exposes them to danger. Cp. Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130. LXX τὰνήπια, babes; cp. Matthew 11:25. I was brought low] Cp. Psalms 79:8; Psalms 142:6. and he helped me] R.V. saved. Cp. Psalms 116:13.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 116 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Lord preserveth the simple - The Septuagint renders this “babes” - νήπια nēpia. The Hebrew word has reference to simplicity or folly, as in Proverbs 1:22.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 116 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.
Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.
The Lord protects the untrained; I was in serious trouble and he delivered me.
Tyndale line
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
The Lord preserueth the simple: I was in miserie and he saued me.
Strictly literal
Jehovah keepeth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.
A preserver of the simple [is] Jehovah, I was low, and to me He giveth salvation.
YHWH [is] a preserver of the simple, || I was low, and He gives salvation to me.
The Lord preserveth the simple: I was in misery, and he helped me.
Yahweh protects the naive; I was brought low, and he saved me.
Simplified
The Lord takes care of those who are powerless; when I was brought down he saved me.
The Lord keeps the simple; I was made low, and he was my saviour.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches four out of the six words in this verse. The Dead Sea Scrolls also reflect the same message, though some words were supplied by an editor due to damage.
שֹׁמֵ֣ר פְּתָאיִ֣ם יְהֹוָ֑ה דַּ֝לּוֹתִ֗י וְלִ֣י יְהוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[שומר] [פתאים] [יהוה] [דלותי] [ול׳י] [יהושיע]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 116:6
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׁמַר (*shamar*) is a primitive root meaning to keep, guard, or observe. It encompasses a wide range of actions including protecting, waiting for, and celebrating obligations like the Sabbath. The verb appears in various forms, indicating nuances such as being on guard or refraining from certain actions. It is used extensively in the Old Testament, reflecting both physical and moral vigilance.
שָׁמַר 465 vb. keep, watch, preserve
Qal 425
keep, have charge of
keep, guard, captives
hence, watch for, wait for
watch, observe
keep, retain, of storing up (food)
keep within bounds, restrain
observe, celebrate
keep sabbath
of other obligations
observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
sts. י׳ subj.
keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
Niph.
36be on one's guard
keep oneself, refrain, abstain
be kept, guarded
Pi. those paying regard to false vanities
Hithp. I kept myself from
base
H8104 שָׁמַר keep, watch, preserve .. . keep, have charge of
. keep, guard, captives
. hence, watch for, wait for
. watch, observe
. . keep, retain, of storing up (food)
. keep within bounds, restrain
. . observe, celebrate
. keep sabbath
. of other obligations
. observe = follow dictates of (prudence, justice, kindness, wisdom)
. sts. י׳ subj.
. keep, reserve, weeks of harvest
. . be on one's guard
. keep oneself, refrain, abstain
. be kept, guarded
. those paying regard to false vanities
. I kept myself from
8104 shamar shaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns),
i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.:--beward,
be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark,
look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save
(self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: obey.
: obey/observe
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
שָׁמַר (sha.mar) — to keep: guard.
: guard
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine singularHVqrmsa
פֶּ֫תִי (pethiy) refers to a state of being simple or foolish, with implications of being open-minded or naive. It encompasses both an adjective describing a person as simple-minded and a noun indicating simplicity or lack of wisdom, as seen in Proverbs 1:22. The term is derived from a root meaning to be open or seducible.
פֶּ֫תִי adj. simple, poss. as open-minded
base
[פְּתִי] n.f. simplicity (i.e. lack of wisdom), Pr 1:22.
ref
H6612a פֶּ֫תִי simple, poss. as open-minded H6612b פְּתִי simplicity
6612 pthiy peth-ee'
or pethiy {peh'-thee}; or pthaeiy {peth-aw-ee'}; from 6601;
silly (i.e. seducible):--foolish, simple(-icity, one).
see HEBREW for 06601
פֶּ֫תִי (pe.ti) — simple.
adj
simple, foolish, open-minded
פְּתִי (pe.ti) — simplicity.
simplicity, naivete
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt
דָּלַל (dalal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to hang, be low, or languish. It conveys a sense of being slackened or feeble, often in a figurative context of distress or oppression. The word appears in various forms, including Qal and Niphal, indicating both active and passive states of being low or brought low.
[דָּלַל] vb. hang, be low, languish
Qal hang, ‘depend’
Niph. be brought low, laid low
base
H1809 [דָּלַל] hang, be low, languish
1809 dalal daw-lal'
a primitive root (compare 1802); to slacken or be feeble;
figuratively, to be oppressed:--bring low, dry up, be emptied,
be not equal, fail, be impoverished, be made thin.
see HEBREW for 01802
דָּלַל (da.lal) — to languish.
1) to hang, languish, hang down, be low
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to hang low
1a2) to be low
1a3) of distress (fig.)
1a4) to languish, look weakly (of eyes)
1b) (Niphal) to be brought low, be laid low
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singularHVqp1cs
נִי (ni) — me.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person singular
HC/R/Sp1bs — Conjunction · preposition · suffixHC/R/Sp1bs
יָשַׁע (yasha`) is a Hebrew root meaning to save or deliver. It encompasses various forms of salvation, including liberation from physical and moral troubles, victory in battle, and general safety. The word can appear in different grammatical forms, such as Niph. (to be saved) and Hiph. (to save).
[יָשַׁע] vb. Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass.
Niph.
be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
be saved in battle, victorious
Hiph.
deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
save from moral troubles
give victory to
base
H3467 [יָשַׁע] Hiph. deliver; Niph. intrans. and pass. . . be liberated, saved (prop. placed in freedom)
. be saved in battle, victorious
. . deliver, save (prop. give width and breadth to, liberate)
. save from moral troubles
. give victory to
3467 yasha` yaw-shah'
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e.
(by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or
succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help,
preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,
save(-iour), get victory.
יָשַׁע (ya.sah) — to save.
1) to save, be saved, be delivered
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered
1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to save, deliver
1b2) to save from moral troubles
1b3) to give victory to
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singularHVhi3ms