Psalms 119:31 (ASV)

Passage

I cleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.

Nearby Context

Psalms 119:29 Remove from me the way of falsehood; And grant me thy law graciously.

Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness: Thine ordinances have I set [before me].

Psalms 119:31 I cleave unto thy testimonies: O Jehovah, put me not to shame.

Psalms 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart. HE.

Psalms 119:33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "cleave", "testimonies", "jehovah", and "shame". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "cleave" and "testimonies", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 30's "I have chosen the way of faithfulness..." into verse 32's "I will run the way of thy...", so "cleave" and "testimonies" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "cleave" and "testimonies" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.