King James Bible
"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up."
David acknowledges the most extreme form of abandonment—rejection by one's own parents, who in ancient Near Eastern culture were the primary source of protection and identity. This hyperbolic statement emphasizes that even the most fundamental human bonds can fail, preparing for the contrast with God's unfailing care. The Hebrew verb 'asaph' (take up) suggests gathering or adopting, implying God steps in as the ultimate parent when earthly relationships collapse. This promise transforms the worst-case scenario of human rejection into an opportunity for experiencing God's direct, personal care.