The term "sustaineth" is an archaic form of the verb "sustain," which means to support, uphold, or maintain. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God's providential care and support for His creation, His people, and His covenant promises. The concept of God sustaining His creation is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing His omnipotence, faithfulness, and love.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 55:22 : "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." This verse highlights the assurance that God provides support and stability to those who trust in Him. The act of casting one's burdens upon the Lord is an expression of faith and reliance on His sustaining power.

2. Psalm 3:5 : "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the LORD sustains me." Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's role in providing safety and rest. The ability to sleep peacefully and awaken is attributed to the Lord's sustaining presence, underscoring His protective care.

3. Isaiah 46:4 : "Even to your old age, I will be the same, and even to your graying years, I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you." This passage reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to sustain and deliver His people throughout their lives.

4. Nehemiah 9:21 : "For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell." This verse recounts God's miraculous provision for the Israelites during their wilderness journey, demonstrating His ability to sustain His people physically and spiritually.

Theological Significance:

The concept of God as the one who "sustaineth" is deeply rooted in the understanding of His sovereignty and providence. God's sustaining power is not limited to physical needs but extends to spiritual and emotional support. He is depicted as a nurturing and caring Father who upholds His creation and ensures the fulfillment of His divine purposes.

In the New Testament, the sustaining work of God is further revealed through Jesus Christ, who upholds all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). Believers are encouraged to rely on Christ's sustaining grace, which empowers them to endure trials and live out their faith.

Practical Application:

For believers, the assurance that God "sustaineth" provides comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty. It invites Christians to trust in God's provision and care, knowing that He is intimately involved in their lives. This trust is expressed through prayer, worship, and a life of obedience, reflecting confidence in God's unchanging character and His promises to sustain His people.

A Mirror Held up to God's Face.
... possible. For example turn to the third Psalm, fifth verse, "I laid me
down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustaineth me.". I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a mirror held up to.htm

"The Kind, Loving, Mother"
... Thus He sustaineth [238] us within Himself in love; and travailed, unto the full
time that He would suffer the sharpest throes and the most grievous pains that ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lx the kind loving.htm

John Chapter x. 14-21
... You know the psalm: "I laid me down and slept; and I awaked [rose up],
for the Lord sustaineth me." What of that""I lay down"? ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlvii john chapter x.htm

Answer to a Psychical Objection.
... "But the adulterer," he says, "through indigence of senses acquireth perdition
to his own soul; sustaineth dolors and disgraces. ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xviii answer to a psychical.htm

Wir Glauben All' an Einen Gott. We all Believe in one True God.
... 3. We in the Holy Ghost believe, Who with Son and Father reigneth, One true
God. He, the Comforter, Feeble souls with gifts sustaineth. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxiii wir glauben all an.htm

'Tis Patience must Support You. --Heb. x. 35-37.
... ways. And patience life sustaineth, Adds to our tale of years; She drives
away what paineth The heart, and stills its fears. It ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/tis patience must support you heb.htm

"The Place that Jesus Taketh in Our Soul He Shall Never Remove ...
... And the Godhead ruleth and sustaineth [280] heaven and earth and all that is,"sovereign
Might, sovereign Wisdom, and sovereign Goodness,"[but] the place ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxvii the place that.htm

Psalm V.
... of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance." [118] Therefore
is God said to be our inheritance, because He feedeth and sustaineth [119] us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm v.htm

Psalm LXIII.
... on active works; if for a long time the soul shall have been intent on active pursuits,
the body being frail and earthly holdeth her not, sustaineth her not ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxiii.htm

Psalm LVI.
... A grape on the vine sustaineth no pressing, whole it seemeth, but nothing thence
floweth: it is thrown into a winepress, is trodden, is pressed; harm seemeth ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lvi.htm

Sustaineth (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sustaineth (4 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Psalms 3:5 I laid me
down and slept; I awaked; for Jehovah sustaineth me. (See JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/s/sustaineth.htm - 7k

Lending (4 Occurrences)
... blessing. (YLT RSV). Psalms 112:5 Good 'is' the man -- gracious and lending,
He sustaineth his matters in judgment. (YLT). Proverbs ...
/l/lending.htm - 7k

Women-concubines (1 Occurrence)
... at Jerusalem, and the king taketh the ten women-concubines -- whom he had left to
keep the house, and putteth them in a house of ward, and sustaineth them, and ...
/w/women-concubines.htm - 6k

Sustaining (3 Occurrences)

/s/sustaining.htm - 7k

Sustainer (2 Occurrences)

/s/sustainer.htm - 7k

Lain (57 Occurrences)
... door; (See JPS RSV). Psalms 3:5 I -- I have lain down, and I sleep, I have
waked, for Jehovah sustaineth me. (YLT). Psalms 68:13 Though ...
/l/lain.htm - 24k

Putteth (182 Occurrences)
... at Jerusalem, and the king taketh the ten women-concubines -- whom he had left to
keep the house, and putteth them in a house of ward, and sustaineth them, and ...
/p/putteth.htm - 38k

Sleep (136 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 3:5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for Jehovah
sustaineth me. (See JPS BBE YLT RSV NIV). Psalms 4:8 ...
/s/sleep.htm - 38k

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