The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
- BSB The LORD preserves the simplehearted; I was helpless, and He saved me.
- NKJV The Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
- NASB The Lord watches over the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
- NLT The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Lord preserves the simple and saved the psalmist when brought low. It matters because God especially helps the helpless and humble.
Overview
God watches over the 'simple,' the unguarded and lowly who have nowhere else to turn. The psalmist counts himself among them, brought low yet saved. This tender care for the weak anticipates Christ, who came to save not the self-sufficient but those who know their need (Matt. 9:12-13).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Ps 19:7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- Ps 142:6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
- Ps 79:8O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.
- Ps 25:21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
- Ps 106:43Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.
- Isa 35:8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
- Col 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
- 2 Cor 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
- 2 Cor 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 116:6 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.