Actually the Lesson title is taken from a Line in Psalm 51. It is first to be understood as a prayer from David, a repenting David, unto the dear Lord of forgiveness!
“Uphold me with thy free spirit,” David pled, David prayed. .
But our King James translators (honest scholars as they were) slanted (italicized) some words in this Request. Let me show you what I mean …
“Uphold me with thy free spirit.” Verse 12, part of it.
The verb “uphold” is spelled “samak” in Hebrew. It means “prop me up,” O Lord. “Sustain” me, please.
Plus … this little verb is here framed as “imperfect,” meaning that the action it is depicting is “ongoing, linear, habitual, repetitive!”
“Lord, keep on holding me up, continually confirming me, I pray.”
The first time the verb is used in the Bible (Genesis 27:37) it is linked to providing food and nourishment to a hungry man!
Lord “uphold me,” feed and strengthen me day by day!
Furthermore, numerous times in Exodus and Leviticus the verb is used of “laying one’s hands” upon someone or something.
Wow!
Lord, “uphold me,” lay Thy Mighty Hands upon me for good!
In 2 Kings 18:21 the verb (samak) is used of “stabilizing” something, leaning against it to keep from falling!
Lord, “uphold me,” lean Thyself against me to keep me from stumbling, tripping, falling!
Again, here’s our verb “uphold” in Psalm 3:5 … “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord SUSTAINED me.”Protection is in view now!
In Psalm 88:7 the verb “samak” is translated “lieth hard” upon something. Grip me, Lord! Get rough, if need be! So hard, I will know Thou art present!
Christian brother or sister, even when we fall … “The Lord UPHOLDETH(samak) all that fall.” Psalm 145:14
David prayed it (successfully) … so can we! “Uphold me with thy free spirit.”
But let me make one more quick point. Look at the Verse carefully. The Agent God uses to “uphold” us … His Holy Spirit!
Here, His “FREE” Spirit!”
Noble, willing, generous Spirit!
We Believers in Christ Jesus sure ought to be strong!
We are “UPHELD!”
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.