Psalm 119:46 NKJV
46
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
Speaking Truth Boldly
My Thoughts
Psalm 119:46 emphasizes the importance of boldly declaring one’s faith and God’s testimonies, even in front of powerful figures such as kings. The commentaries below show David’s determination to speak freely about his beliefs and not be ashamed, emphasizing that true liberty allows for the expression of faith regardless of one’s audience. This principle applies to both personal conduct and vocal affirmation, with notable historical figures, like Luther and the apostles, exemplifying such courage. This verse calls for believers to shun cowardice and prioritize discussions of faith over fear of potential repercussions from those in positions of power.
David, in his life, saw both sides of speaking before kings. When he was young before his “Goliath” moment, he stood before King Saul, and when he was an exile, he stood before Kings. Then, when he was himself anointed as King, he dealt with his subjects as well as Kings from other nations. When he spoke as a subject or as a Monarch, he spoke of the testimonies of God and was not ashamed. Most of us have not been called to speak before kings, I know I haven’t, but we need to be ready to speak before anyone of God’s righteousness and of how Jesus redeemed us by the ultimate sacrifice which he gave. It doesn’t matter to whom we are speaking; neighbor, family, friend, co-worker, boss, politician; in Matthew 10:19, the word says to give no thought how or what ye shall speak: For it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Note: Psalm 119 is an acrostic pattern. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet; each of the 22 sections is given a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line in that section begins with that letter. Today, we’re looking at verse 46, which is in the 6th section, which is called “VAV.ו”. According to the hebrews4christians.com website, the letter Vav (“WAW” in several versions of the Bible) is the 6th letter of the Aleph-Bet, having the numeric value of six. The pictograph for VAV looks like a tent peg. Since VAV represents the number six, it has long been associated as the number of man in the Jewish tradition:
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Man was created on the sixth day
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Man works for six days
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The “beast” is identified as the “number of a man” – 666 (Revelation 13:18)
Since it looks like a tent peg, it is also used for connecting things. So, in it, we can think of the connection between spiritual and earthly matters.
……..Bill
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
That he should be bold and courageous in his duty: I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings. Before David came to the crown kings were sometimes his judges, as Saul, and Achish; but, if he were called before them to give a reason of the hope that was in him, he would speak of God’s testimonies, and profess to build his hope upon them and make them his council, his guards, his crown, his all. We must never be afraid to own our religion, though it should expose us to the wrath of kings, but speak of it as that which we will live and die by, like the three children before Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 3:16; Acts 4:20. After David came to the crown kings were sometimes his companions; they visited him and he returned their visits; but he did not, in complaisance to them, talk of every thing but religion, for fear of affronting them and making his conversation uneasy to them. No; God’s testimonies shall be the principal subject of his discourse with the kings, not only to show that he was not ashamed of his religion, but to instruct them in it and bring them over to it. It is good for kings to hear of God’s testimonies, and it will adorn the conversation of princes themselves to speak of them.
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Charles Spurgeon
“I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” This is part of his liberty; he is free from fear of the greatest, proudest, and most tyrannical of men. David was called to stand before kings when he was an exile, and afterwards, when he was himself a monarch, he knew the tendency of men to sacrifice their religion to pomp and statecraft; but it was his resolve to do nothing of the kind. He would sanctify politics and make cabinets know that the Lord alone is governor among the nations. As a king, he would speak to kings concerning the King of kings. He says, “I will speak:” prudence might have suggested that his life and conduct would be enough, and that it would be better not to touch upon religion in the presence of royal personages who worshipped other gods, and claimed to be right in so doing. He had already most fittingly preceded this resolve by the declaration, “I will walk,” but he does not make his personal conduct an excuse for sinful silence, for he adds, “I will speak.” David claimed religious liberty, and took care to use it, for he spoke out what he believed, even when he was in the highest company. In what he said, he took care to keep to God’s own word, for he says, “I will speak of thy testimonies.” No theme is like this, and there is no way of handling that theme like keeping close to the book, and using its thoughts and language. The great hindrance to our speaking upon holy topics in all companies is shame, but the Psalmist will “not be ashamed;” there is nothing to be ashamed of, and there is no excuse for being ashamed, and yet many are as quiet as the dead for fear some creature like themselves should be offended. When God gives grace, cowardice soon vanishes. He who speaks for God in God’s power will not be ashamed when beginning to speak, nor while speaking, nor after speaking; for his theme is one which is fit for kings, needful to kings, and beneficial to kings. If kings object, we may well be ashamed of them, but never of our Master who sent us, or of his message, or of his design in sending it.
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Enduring Word
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. This is an example of the liberty just mentioned. To have the boldness and ability to speak freely of God and His great word before kings and the great men of this earth shows true liberty. (Guzik)
i. “This is part of his liberty; he is free from fear of the greatest, proudest, and most tyrannical of men.” (Spurgeon)
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Albert Barnes
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings … – In the presence of men of most elevated rank. I will not be ashamed to avow my belief in thy word before those in power, whether friendly or unfriendly to thee and to thy cause. I will not disguise my belief in thy truth with any desire to secure their favor; I will not be intimidated from expressing my faith by any dread of their frowns. Compare Matthew 10:18-19; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; Acts 26:2.
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John Gill
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings,…. As very likely he did before Saul and his courtiers, before the king of Achish and the princes of the Philistines, when as yet he was not a king himself; and when he was come to the throne, such kings as came to visit him, instead of talking with them about affairs of state, he spoke of the Scriptures, and of the excellent things they bear witness of; and such a practice he determined to pursue and continue in;
and will not be ashamed of the testimonies of God, and of the truths contained in them; and of speaking of them and for them; or of being reproached and vilified on that account. So the Apostle Paul was a chosen vessel to bear the name of Christ before kings; nor was he ashamed to speak of him and of his Gospel before Nero the Roman emperor, Agrippa king of the Jews, and before Felix and Festus, Roman governors; nor ashamed of the reproaches and afflictions he endured on that account.
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Miscellaneous Notes
“I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings.” In words, he seems to believe that he is in possession of that which he formerly prayed for. He had said, “Take not the word of truth out of my mouth,” and now, as if he had obtained what he requested, he rises up, and maintains that he would not be dumb, even were he called upon to speak in the presence of kings. He affirms that he would willingly stand forward in vindication of the glory of God in the face of the whole world.—John Calvin.
“I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings.” Men of greatest holiness have been men of greatest boldness; witness Nehemiah, the three children, Daniel, and all the holy prophets and apostles: Pro 23:1, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion,” yea, as a young lion, as the Hebrew has it, one that is in his hot blood and fears no colors, and that is more bold than any others. Holiness made Daniel not only as bold as a lion, but also to daunt the lions with his boldness. Luther was a man of great holiness, and a man of great boldness: witness his standing out against all the world; and when the emperor sent for him to Worms, and his friends dissuaded him from going, as sometimes Paul’s did him, “Go,” said he, “I will surely go, since I am sent for, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; yea, though I knew that there were as many devils in Worms to resist me as there be tiles to cover the houses, yet I would go.” And when the same author and his associates were threatened with many dangers from opposers on all hands, he lets fall this heroic and magnanimous speech: “Come, let us sing the 46th Psalm, and then let them do their worst.” Latimer was a man of much holiness, counting the darkness and profaneness of those times wherein he lived, and a man of much courage and boldness; witness his presenting to King Henry the Eighth, for a New Year’s gift, a New Testament, wrapped up in a napkin, with this posie or motto about it; “Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”—Thomas Brooks.
Note that in this verse we are taught to shun four vices;
First, overmuch silence: hence he says, “I will speak.“
Secondly, useless talkativeness: “of thy testimonies.” The Hebrew doctors say that ten measures of speaking had descended to the earth, that nine had been carried off by the women, but one left for all the rest of the world. Hieronymus rightly exhorts all Christians: “Consecrate thy mouth to the Gospel: be unwilling to open it with trifles or fables.”
Thirdly, we are taught to shun cowardice: “before kings.” For, as it is said (Pro 29:25), “The fear of man bringeth a snare.”
Fourthly, and lastly, we are taught to shun cowardly bashfulness: “and will not be ashamed.”—Thomas Le Blanc.
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Cross-References
Romans 1:16 (KJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Matthew 10:18–19 (KJV)
18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mark 8:38 (KJV)
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
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Closing Thoughts
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
So as I was reading this, it was impressed on me to look up the Greek for the words grace, love, and communion. This was what Paul was blessing the people of Corinth with as he was ending his letter.
Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the word for grace here is “charis,” which means that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness.
Love of GOD, the word used for Love here is “agape” which means affection, goodwill, Love, benevolence (kindness)
Communion of the Holy Spirit, the word for communion in Greek is “koinonia,” which is defined as fellowship, association, communion, joint participation.
In one study bible it notes that the reason Jesus was mentioned before the Father is because His sacrificial death is the ultimate expression of God’s love.
Paul asked that all of these things, grace, love, and communion, be with you all.
I receive it in Jesus name, Amen.
ו VAV – Connecting spiritual and earthly matters.
41
Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—
Your salvation according to Your word.
42
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44
So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
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