Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 116:6

"Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me." — Psalms 116:6 (ASV)

The Lord preserves the simple - The Septuagint renders this "babes" - νήπια nēpia. The Hebrew word has reference to simplicity or folly, as in (Proverbs 1:22). It then refers to those who are the opposite of cautious or cunning; to those who are open to persuasion; to those who are easily enticed or seduced.

The verb from which the word is derived - פתה pâthâh - means to open, to expand; then, to be open, frank, ingenuous, easily persuaded or enticed. Thus it may express either the idea of being simple in the sense of being foolish, easily seduced and led astray; or, simple in the sense of being open, frank, ingenuous, trustful, sincere. The latter is evidently its meaning here. It refers to one of the characteristics of true piety - that of unsuspecting trust in God. It would describe one who yields readily to truth and duty; one who has singleness of aim in the desire to honor God; one who is without guile, trick, or cunning.

Such a man was Nathanael (John 1:47): Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile. The Hebrew word used here is rendered simple (Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130; Proverbs 1:4, 22, 32; Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 8:5; Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 14:15, 18; Proverbs 19:25; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 27:12; Ezekiel 45:20); and foolish (Proverbs 9:6). It does not elsewhere occur. The meaning here is, that the Lord preserves or keeps those who have simple and unwavering trust in him; those who are sincere in their professions; those who rely on his word.

I was brought low - By affliction and trial. The Hebrew literally means to hang down, to be pendulous, to swing, to wave - as a bucket in a well, or as the slender branches of the palm, the willow, etc. Then it means to be slack, feeble, weak, as in sickness, etc. See the notes at (Psalms 79:8). Here it probably refers to the prostration of strength by disease.

And he helped me - He gave me strength; he restored me.