Psalm 119 21

Psalm 119:21 kjv

Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

Psalm 119:21 nkjv

You rebuke the proud?the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.

Psalm 119:21 niv

You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.

Psalm 119:21 esv

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.

Psalm 119:21 nlt

You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 21 Meaning

God actively judges and condemns the arrogant who defiantly disregard His divine commands. Those who presumptuously stray from His law are already in a state of being cursed or separated from divine blessing, a direct consequence of their rebellious spirit and actions. This verse highlights God's justice against those who despise His Word.

Psalm 119 21 Context

Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, each section (strophe) of eight verses beginning with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 21 falls within the "Daleth" section (verses 25-32 in the Hebrew alphabet, but this reference refers to the 4th letter 'Daleth' often encompassing the immediately preceding lines, and the theme is suffering and reliance on God's Word. The psalm is a fervent meditation on the law of God, reflecting the Psalmist's deep devotion to His statutes amidst various afflictions, persecution, and opposition from the wicked and proud. In this specific verse, the Psalmist is stating a theological truth that underpins his perspective on those who oppress him: God's justice is active, and the pride of his adversaries leads them to stray from the commandments and consequently to judgment. This serves to bolster the Psalmist’s faith, affirming that his suffering is not due to God’s negligence but part of a divine order that also judges the wicked. It also implicitly draws a contrast between the Psalmist's adherence to God's law and the proud's willful disregard for it.

Psalm 119 21 Word analysis

• Thou hast rebuked (Hebrew: ga'arta, גָעַרְתָּ): This is a strong verb meaning to chide, reproach, censure, or forcefully admonish. In biblical contexts, ga'ar often denotes a powerful, divine reprimand that brings about an immediate and definitive end to what is being rebuked. It is God's active opposition, often implying a silencing or bringing low of the one being rebuked. It suggests a definitive act of judgment, not just a verbal correction, but an inherent consequence.
• the proud (Hebrew: zedim, זֵדִים): From the root zud, meaning to boil up, act proudly, or defiantly. It signifies individuals who are arrogant, insolent, and presumptuous. This is not mere vanity, but a defiant and audacious spirit that openly despises God’s authority and word. It points to a mindset of self-reliance and contempt for divine rule, believing oneself to be above the law. This group is often characterized as the antithesis of the Psalmist’s humility and obedience.
• that are cursed (Hebrew: arurim, אֲרוּרִים): This is a passive participle of the verb arar, meaning to be cursed or placed under a divine ban. It denotes a state of being cut off from God's favor and blessing, subject to divine disfavor and eventual judgment. This is not merely an external pronouncement but an intrinsic condition resulting from their defiance. The curse is a consequence, implying they are already in a state of condemnation because of their actions, rather than an active cursing at this moment. It represents a spiritual and existential separation from God’s life and goodness.
• which do err (Hebrew: hashogim, הַשֹּׁגִים): From the verb shaga, meaning to go astray, wander, make a mistake, or stray from the path. While it can refer to unintentional error, in this context, coupled with "the proud," it indicates a deliberate and persistent wandering from God's appointed way. It describes a characteristic pattern of departing from the truth and boundaries set by God’s commandments, moving into error or rebellion. This "erring" is a symptom of their underlying pride.
• from Thy commandments (Hebrew: mimmitsvoteikha, מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ): Mitsvot (plural of mitzvah) refers to God's commands, precepts, or ordinances—His revealed will and laws. This phrase emphasizes that their "erring" is specifically a departure from God's personal and authoritative instructions. The pride of zedim manifests in a rejection of the Lord's authoritative Word as the standard for life. Their actions reveal an active transgression against the divine will.

Words-group Analysis

• "Thou hast rebuked the proud": This phrase highlights God's active intervention and judicial posture against defiant arrogance. It underscores divine justice and implies that the haughty cannot escape His scrutiny or consequences. This provides comfort to the faithful who are often oppressed by the proud.
• "the proud that are cursed": This links arrogance directly to a state of being under divine displeasure. The pride itself is intrinsically linked to separation from God's blessing. It's not just a future curse, but an existing spiritual state of being subject to the consequences of defiance against God. Their defiance effectively cuts them off from the source of all good.
• "which do err from Thy commandments": This group of words clarifies how the proud manifest their cursed state and how they earn God's rebuke. Their fundamental issue is their deviation from God's revealed will. Their "erring" is not accidental but flows from their "proud" nature, showcasing their deliberate rebellion against divine authority. This is a behavioral expression of their inward rebellion and their contempt for the covenant relationship with God.

Psalm 119 21 Bonus section

The active form "Thou hast rebuked" suggests that this is an ongoing reality or a truth deeply ingrained in the Psalmist's understanding of God's character, not merely a future event. It conveys God’s settled disposition towards the arrogant. This contrasts with the Psalmist's humble petition to not stray (e.g., Ps 119:10), emphasizing a conscious choice between humility and obedience versus pride and error. The mention of "Thy commandments" in this context grounds the abstract concepts of pride and curse in the tangible reality of God's revealed law, underscoring that disobedience to the Word is the fundamental sin. The verse implies that the root of all the wicked’s troubles and their state of being "cursed" is their rejection of God's holy and wise instructions.

Psalm 119 21 Commentary

Psalm 119:21 unveils a core aspect of divine justice: God actively confronts and condemns the arrogant. This isn't merely a passive withdrawal of blessing, but a definitive and forceful "rebuke" of those whose insolent pride leads them to abandon God's authoritative commands. These "proud" (Hebrew zedim) are characterized by a presumptuous and defiant spirit that views itself above divine authority, leading them to willfully "err" or stray from God's ways. The consequence of such rebellion is a state of being "cursed" – not a arbitrary punishment, but a spiritual condition of being separated from God’s favor and blessings, inherently prone to judgment. The Psalmist observes this divine principle, contrasting God’s opposition to the arrogant with His steadfast commitment to those who diligently seek and follow His precepts. This affirmation serves as both a comfort and a validation for the faithful, who, like the Psalmist, might face oppression from such individuals. It reassures them that ultimately, God Himself is on their side against those who scorn His Word.