Psalm 119 153

Psalm 119:153 kjv

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Psalm 119:153 nkjv

Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law.

Psalm 119:153 niv

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.

Psalm 119:153 esv

Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.

Psalm 119:153 nlt

Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 153 Meaning

Psalm 119:153 is a prayer uttered by the psalmist in a state of deep distress. He appeals to God to compassionately observe his intense suffering and to act decisively to rescue him from his trouble. The basis of his plea is his unwavering commitment and faithfulness to God's divine instruction and precepts, demonstrating that his devotion to the Law has remained steadfast even amidst his hardships.

Psalm 119 153 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a magnificent acrostic psalm celebrating the excellency and sufficiency of God's Word (Torah) in all its various aspects—laws, statutes, precepts, commands, decrees, and testimonies. Each of the 22 stanzas corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses beginning with that letter.

Verse 153 falls within the "Resh" (ר) section (verses 153-160). This section, like others in Psalm 119, often shifts between themes of the psalmist's personal devotion to God's Word, the opposition he faces from wicked people, and his earnest pleas for divine intervention and deliverance based on God's righteousness and his own steadfast obedience. In this immediate context, the psalmist is acutely aware of his suffering ("affliction") and seeks God's direct involvement in his situation, grounding his appeal in his consistent faithfulness to God's law. This is not a transactional bargain, but an appeal rooted in a covenantal relationship, highlighting that his distress has not led him to abandon the very source of his life and guidance.

Psalm 119 153 Word analysis

• Consider (רְאֵה – ra'ah): The Hebrew verb means more than mere observation. It implies a deep, compassionate, and attentive looking that leads to action. It conveys the idea of God discerning, acknowledging, and taking to heart the psalmist's plight, prompting a divine response. It's a plea for God to fully comprehend and personally engage with the psalmist's situation, as He did for His people in Egypt (Exo 3:7).
• my affliction (עָנְיִי – ‘onyi): This term signifies personal suffering, distress, misery, oppression, or hardship. It can refer to physical, emotional, or social affliction, emphasizing the psalmist's low and difficult state. It reflects the deeply personal nature of his struggle.
• and deliver me (וְחַלְּצֵנִי – ve-ḥaletz-eni): The verb ḥalatz means to draw out, pull out, set free, or rescue. It's an urgent petition for immediate, forceful, and complete liberation from the grip of his distress, implying that he cannot extricate himself.
• for I do not forget (כִּי תּוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי – ki Toratkha lo shakakhti): The phrase literally means "for your law, I have not forgotten it." The particle ki "for" indicates the reason or ground of his plea. The Hebrew verb shakach (to forget) here signifies more than a lapse of memory; it means to neglect, abandon, or forsake. The psalmist is asserting that despite his intense suffering, he has not neglected, abandoned, or ceased to obey God's law. His commitment remains active and consistent.
• your law (תוֹרָתְךָ – Toratkha): In Psalm 119, "law" is a comprehensive term for all of God's revealed will, instruction, and commandments, acting as a guide for righteous living. It represents God's authoritative teaching and ethical demands. The psalmist claims his faithful adherence to this divine guidance as the foundation for his plea.

Word-group analysis:

• "Consider my affliction and deliver me": This phrase highlights a fundamental posture of prayer—presenting one's deep distress to God with an appeal for His active intervention. It acknowledges God's omniscience (He knows his affliction) and omnipotence (He can deliver him). It is a plea for God to move from passive awareness to active compassion and salvation.
• "for I do not forget your law": This forms the crucial basis of the psalmist's petition. It is not a claim of sinless perfection or an attempt to merit deliverance. Instead, it is an appeal to God based on the covenant relationship. The psalmist argues that his fidelity to God's revealed will, even in severe testing, aligns him with God's character and purposes, providing a righteous ground for God to intervene on his behalf. It implies that his suffering is not a result of forsaking God's way.

Psalm 119 153 Bonus section

• The appeal for God to "consider" (ra'ah) the affliction points to the attribute of God's covenantal faithfulness, reminiscent of how God "saw" the affliction of Israel in Egypt and acted (Exo 3:7). It emphasizes that God's awareness is not passive but an active, responsive care for His covenant people.
• In a cultural context, remembering the Law was central to Israelite identity and a mark of covenant fidelity. To "forget" the law would mean falling into idolatry or rebellion, thus abandoning the covenant. The psalmist's affirmation that he has not forgotten underscores his righteous stand against such apostasy, implicitly challenging the conduct of his adversaries.
• This verse can be understood as a polemic against those who might argue that the psalmist's affliction is due to his sin or neglect of God's law. By explicitly stating his faithfulness ("I do not forget your law"), he refutes such a notion and grounds his appeal firmly in his integrity before God.
• The profound integration of suffering and devotion in this psalm reflects a deep theological truth: true faith is often forged and purified in the crucible of affliction, and God's Word becomes even more precious in times of hardship (Ps 119:50, 92).

Psalm 119 153 Commentary

Psalm 119:153 powerfully articulates the prayer of a faithful heart in distress. The psalmist cries out to God, asking Him not just to see but to consider his affliction—a deeper engagement implying compassionate attention and effective response. The urgency of "deliver me" underscores his desperate need for divine rescue from whatever oppressive circumstances he faces.

Crucially, the psalmist anchors his appeal in his consistent faithfulness to God's law. This is not an act of self-righteous bargaining, but rather an affirmation of a steadfast relationship. By declaring, "for I do not forget your law," he asserts that his trials have not caused him to abandon God's Word or cease walking in obedience. This demonstrates that his commitment to God is genuine and unwavering, providing a strong biblical precedent for seeking God's help when remaining faithful in suffering. It reminds God of the covenant, appealing to His justice and mercy towards those who cling to His truth, especially when persecuted or severely tested. His hope is in God's righteous nature, knowing that God stands by those who stand by His Word. The verse thus offers solace and instruction: cling to God's Word amidst adversity, and earnestly pray for His watchful, compassionate, and liberating hand.