Psalms 145:14

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 145:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.
Psalms 145:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 145

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Psa 37:17; Psa 54:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord upholdeth all that fall - The word used here is a participle, literally, “The Lord sustaining;” that is, the Lord is a Sustainer or Upholder of all that fall. The allusion is to those who have no power to go of themselves; who would sink under the burdens of life if they were not supported. The idea is, that it is a characteristic of the Lord, that he does sustain such; that all such may confidently look to him to uphold them. And raiseth up all those that be bowed down - The word here also is a participle: “he is lifting up;” that is, he is a lifter up. The reference is to those who are bent and bowed under the duties, the cares, the trials of life; who go bowed down under those…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“145:14-20 The Lord cares for his creatures.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“upholdeth: Psa 37:24, Psa 94:18, Psa 119:117; Luk 22:31, Luk 22:32 raiseth up: Psa 38:6, Psa 42:5, Psa 146:8; Luk 13:11-13 Psalms 145:15”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The poet now celebrates in detail the deeds of the gracious King. The words with ל are pure datives, cf. the accusative expression in Psa 146:8. He in person is the support which holds fast the falling ones (נופלים, here not the fallen ones, see Psa 28:1) in the midst of falling (Nicephorus: τοὺς καταπεσεῖν μέλλοντας ἑδραιοῖ, ὥστε μὴ καταπεσεῖν), and the stay by which those who are bowed together raise themselves. He is the Provider for all beings, the Father of the house, to whom in the great house of the world the eyes (עיני with the second ê toneless, Ew. 100, b) of all beings, endowed with reason and irrational, are directed with calm confidence ( Mat 6:26), and who gives them…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification