Psalm 119:157 kjv
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:157 nkjv
Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
Psalm 119:157 niv
Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
Psalm 119:157 esv
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
Psalm 119:157 nlt
Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
Psalm 119 157 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 5:10 | Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake… | Persecution for righteous living. |
| Matt 5:11 | Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you… | The promise of blessing in persecution. |
| Luke 6:22 | Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you… | Suffering for following Jesus. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. | Persecution is an expected reality for the godly. |
| Phil 1:29 | For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake… | Suffering as a divine gift and privilege. |
| 2 Cor 4:8 | We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; | Resilience in affliction. |
| Rom 8:35 | Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution… | Inseparable from Christ's love despite adversity. |
| Rom 8:37 | No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. | Victory over tribulations through Christ. |
| Ps 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. | God's deliverance amidst multiple troubles. |
| Ps 37:31 | The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. | God's law internalised, leading to steadfastness. |
| Ps 1:2 | …but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. | The righteous delight in God's law. |
| Ps 119:93 | I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. | Committed to God's precepts because they bring life. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word guides through darkness. |
| Ps 119:161 | Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words. | Persecution doesn't deter reverence for God's word. |
| Josh 1:7 | Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law… and do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left… | Exhortation to steadfast obedience. |
| Deut 5:32 | You shall be careful therefore to do as the Lord your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. | Command to not deviate from God's law. |
| Jas 1:6 | But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. | Contrast with a wavering heart. |
| Heb 10:39 | But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. | Admonition against drawing back. |
| Rev 12:11 | And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives even to death. | Overcoming adversaries through Christ and unwavering witness. |
| Is 50:7 | But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced… | Trust in God's help amidst shame/opposition. |
| Is 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you… | God's presence in overwhelming trials. |
| Jer 15:16 | Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart… | Internalising God's word brings joy. |
| 1 Pet 4:16 | Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. | Suffering for Christ brings glory to God. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 157 Meaning
Psalm 119:157 declares the psalmist's unwavering faithfulness to God's testimonies despite facing a multitude of persecutors and adversaries. It portrays a deep personal commitment to God's revealed truth even in the midst of severe opposition and distress. The verse highlights spiritual resilience and integrity, asserting that external pressure does not lead to deviation from divine instruction.
Psalm 119 157 Context
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, an acrostic poem with 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within a stanza begins with that letter. The entire psalm is a fervent praise and meditation on the wisdom, goodness, and necessity of God's Word, referred to by various synonyms like Law, Statutes, Precepts, Commandments, Rules, Decrees, Ways, and Testimonies. The psalmist expresses deep love for and obedience to the Torah (God's instruction) in all aspects of life.
Verse 157 falls within the Shin (ש) section (verses 153-160), which typically focuses on affliction, salvation, and the enduring nature of God's Word. Throughout Psalm 119, the psalmist is portrayed as someone facing constant opposition, ridicule, and persecution from the wicked and arrogant, yet he consistently resolves to remain faithful to God's Law. This verse perfectly encapsulates this recurring tension: external tribulation versus internal devotion. The historical context for the original audience likely included times of political or social pressure where adhering to God's covenant posed challenges, reinforcing the need for steadfast commitment to divine revelation over the prevailing ideologies or pressures of society. It's a testament to the psalmist's personal piety against contemporary pagan beliefs or ungodly societal norms, where God's testimonies were rejected or ignored.
Psalm 119 157 Word analysis
Many (רַבִּים, rabbim): This plural adjective signifies a large number, emphasizing the overwhelming scale of the opposition. It highlights that the psalmist is not facing isolated incidents or a few opponents but a significant and widespread challenge, underlining the gravity of his situation and the strength of his commitment.
are my persecutors (רֹדְפַי, rodephay): From the verb רָדַף (radaph), meaning "to chase," "to pursue," "to persecute." It suggests active, relentless, and often hostile pursuit aimed at bringing harm, oppression, or distress. It implies that these are not merely passive opponents but individuals or groups actively seeking to undermine or inflict suffering upon the psalmist.
and my adversaries (וְצָרַי, wə-tzaray): From the noun צַר (tzar), meaning "adversary," "foe," "oppressor," often carrying the connotation of someone who brings distress, anguish, or makes one feel "narrow" or hemmed in. These are not just opponents, but those who cause acute trouble and oppression, making life difficult for the psalmist.
yet I do not swerve (לֹא נָטִיתִי, lo natiti): The strong negative particle lo ("not") coupled with the verb נָטָה (natah), meaning "to turn aside," "to deviate," "to incline," forms a powerful declaration. It signifies an unwavering, firm resolve and steadfastness. Despite the immense pressure from persecutors and adversaries, the psalmist has not, nor will he, turn away from his commitment to God's Word. It's a statement of moral and spiritual integrity, an active choice to remain on the right path.
from Your testimonies (מֵעֵדֹתֶיךָ, me'edoteykha): From the noun עֵדוּת ('edut), meaning "testimony," "ordinance," "decree," often referring to God's solemn declarations of His will and truth. These are not merely human laws but divine decrees that God Himself testifies to, revealing His character and expectations for humanity. This term often implies the eternal, unchangeable nature of God's truth. This is the constant source of strength and direction for the psalmist, against which he will not waver.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Many are my persecutors and my adversaries": This phrase paints a vivid picture of the immense external pressure the psalmist faces. The repetition of "my" ("my persecutors," "my adversaries") highlights the personal and direct nature of the attacks. It's a stark acknowledgment of widespread, relentless opposition against the individual who stands for God's truth.
- "yet I do not swerve from Your testimonies": This forms a powerful contrast and declaration of triumph. The "yet" (implicit in the structure) introduces the counterpoint to the persecution. Despite the daunting odds, the psalmist's loyalty remains firm. His steadfastness is rooted not in his own strength, but in the unwavering nature of God's "testimonies," which are his guide and anchor. This phrase asserts that divine truth holds greater sway over the believer than any worldly threat.
Psalm 119 157 Bonus section
The unwavering stand of the psalmist in Psalm 119:157 can be seen as an archetypal foreshadowing of the New Testament concept of enduring in suffering for Christ's sake. The steadfastness here is not a result of human strength alone, but an embedded trust in the Divine Source of the testimonies. It reflects the idea that the "light" of God's Word (as referred to elsewhere in Ps 119) illuminates the path, preventing one from straying even when darkness of opposition surrounds them. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual integrity is maintained by consistently aligning one's heart and actions with God's truth, independent of external circumstances or the magnitude of hostile forces. It also speaks to the internal battle that often accompanies external persecution—the temptation to compromise or deviate—which the psalmist resolutely overcomes by fixed devotion to God's ordinances.
Psalm 119 157 Commentary
Psalm 119:157 is a poignant declaration of spiritual fortitude. It underscores the timeless truth that following God often invites opposition. The psalmist is surrounded by "many" enemies, actively "persecuting" and "adversaries" causing distress. This is not a slight challenge, but a formidable, overwhelming external pressure designed to dislodge him from his faith. Yet, against this formidable backdrop, the psalmist’s response is an unwavering "I do not swerve." This phrase is crucial; it’s an active choice, a testament to deep commitment to God's revealed will. He does not yield, retreat, or compromise. His anchor is God's "testimonies," the solemn, divine declarations that bear witness to His truth and will. This verse teaches that true faithfulness is tested and proven not in the absence of adversity, but in one's unwavering adherence to God's Word during adversity. It serves as an encouragement to believers through all ages: no matter how intense or numerous the persecutions, the path of integrity lies in clinging steadfastly to the unchanging truths of God.
- Example 1: A Christian employee facing professional discrimination due to their faith but refusing to compromise their biblical ethics.
- Example 2: A missionary serving in a hostile land, enduring threats yet continuing to share the Gospel and live according to Christ's teachings.