Psalm 119:22 kjv
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:22 nkjv
Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.
Psalm 119:22 niv
Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.
Psalm 119:22 esv
Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.
Psalm 119:22 nlt
Don't let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
Psalm 119 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 42:10 | "As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me..." | Taunt/reproach against the suffering righteous. |
| Ps 69:7 | "For for your sake I have borne reproach..." | Reproach for devotion to God. |
| Ps 69:9 | "...the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." | Christ bearing reproach for God. |
| Ps 69:10 | "When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach." | Suffering for piety becoming a cause of scorn. |
| Rom 15:3 | "For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'" | Christ fulfilling bearing reproach. |
| Heb 13:13 | "Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured." | Believers bearing Christ's reproach. |
| 1 Pet 4:14 | "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed..." | Reproach as a blessing for Christians. |
| Isa 51:7 | "Hear me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings." | Enduring reproach for following God's law. |
| Neh 4:4 | "Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Return their reproach on their own heads..." | Prayer against reproach from enemies. |
| Jer 20:8 | "For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout ‘Violence and destruction!’ For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long." | Reproach for proclaiming God's word. |
| Lk 6:22 | "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" | Blessedness in facing scorn for Christ. |
| Ps 119:16 | "I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word." | Psalmist's commitment to God's Word. |
| Ps 119:129 | "Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them." | Wonder of testimonies leading to obedience. |
| Ps 119:167 | "My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly." | Deep affection and obedience to testimonies. |
| Dt 6:17 | "You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies..." | Command to keep God's testimonies. |
| Josh 1:8 | "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night..." | Success linked to obeying the Law. |
| Jn 14:15 | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." | Love for God expressed through obedience. |
| 1 Jn 2:3 | "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." | Knowledge of God tied to obedience. |
| Ps 37:33 | "But the Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is judged." | God protecting the righteous from condemnation. |
| Isa 25:8 | "He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away..." | God's ultimate removal of His people's reproach. |
| Lk 1:25 | "Thus the Lord has dealt with me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” | Elizabeth's experience of reproach removed. |
Psalm 119 verses
Psalm 119 22 Meaning
Psalm 119:22 is a heartfelt plea to God from the psalmist to be delivered from public shame, insult, and disgrace. The basis for this petition is the psalmist's faithful and diligent adherence to God's divine commands and laws, referred to as His "testimonies." The verse articulates a longing for divine vindication and the removal of the reproach that often accompanies unwavering devotion to God in a world that opposes His ways.
Psalm 119 22 Context
Psalm 119 is an extended acrostic poem, meticulously structured with each of its 22 stanzas containing eight verses, each beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is a profound meditation on the divine law, commandments, statutes, precepts, words, and testimonies of God. The entire psalm extols the perfection, sufficiency, and goodness of God's Word, portraying the psalmist's deep devotion to it even in the midst of significant personal suffering and opposition.
Verse 22 falls within the third stanza, corresponding to the Hebrew letter Gimel (ג). This section (verses 17-24) expresses the psalmist's earnest desire for God's merciful dealing ("Deal bountifully with your servant...") and an increased understanding of God's law ("Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things from your law"). It also reveals the psalmist's afflictions and the scorn they face, directly addressing the plea for the removal of reproach and contempt.
In the ancient Near East, public "reproach and contempt" (shame and disgrace) were profoundly devastating, challenging a person's honor and standing in society. To be scorned for one's religious devotion suggested that one's God was either powerless to protect or that the devotion itself was misguided. The psalmist's plea, therefore, is not merely for personal emotional comfort, but for the public vindication of God's name and the confirmation of the path of righteousness they have chosen. This verse also implicitly stands in polemic against the idea that suffering is always a direct result of personal sin, highlighting instead that obedience can be the cause of suffering, necessitating God's intervention.
Psalm 119 22 Word analysis
- Remove (גַּל - galal): The Hebrew verb means "to roll away" or "to take away." It conveys the idea of lifting a burden or causing something to fall off from upon oneself. It signifies an active, decisive removal, like rolling a stone from a well or burden from a person.
- from me (מֵעָלַי - me'alai): This prepositional phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the reproach. It highlights that the burden of disgrace and scorn lies "upon" the psalmist directly, affecting their experience and standing.
- reproach (חֶרְפָּה - cherpah): This strong Hebrew term signifies shame, disgrace, taunt, or insult. It refers to public humiliation and scorn, often delivered verbally through mocking and derision. In the biblical context, "reproach" can also mean the disgrace suffered due to national or personal calamity, or even because of devotion to God, as seen with Jesus later (Rom 15:3). It carries significant social weight.
- and contempt (וָבוּז - vāvūz): Derived from the root "buz," meaning to despise or scorn. "Contempt" here signifies a state of being looked down upon, disdained, or treated as worthless. It goes hand-in-hand with "reproach" to emphasize a pervasive feeling of being devalued and spurned by others.
- for (כִּי - ki): This conjunction serves as a causal "because" or "for the reason that." It establishes a direct link between the psalmist's faithfulness and their request, indicating that their obedience forms the basis or justification for the plea.
- I have kept (נָצַרְתִּי - natzarti): From the verb "natzar," meaning "to guard," "to keep," "to observe," "to preserve." This implies active, diligent, and careful observance. It’s not just a passive knowledge but a conscious effort to safeguard, watch over, and adhere to God's instructions.
- your testimonies (עֵדֹתֶיךָ - edotecha): The term "edot" (plural) refers to God's divine decrees, solemn declarations, and instructions, especially those that reveal His nature, character, and will. These are distinct from mere laws in that they serve as a witness to who God is and what He desires for His people. They represent God's authoritative pronouncements, guiding principles for life and faith.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Remove from me reproach and contempt": This phrase represents a plea for public vindication and an end to the shaming and despising treatment the psalmist receives. It's a prayer for God to actively intervene and validate the psalmist's position, lifting the spiritual and social burden of ignominy. The emphasis is on outward liberation from scorn.
- "for I have kept your testimonies": This clause provides the ethical and theological foundation for the prayer. The psalmist asserts their faithfulness to God's Word as the reason why God should act. It suggests that the "reproach and contempt" are unwarranted and that the psalmist's suffering is due not to disobedience, but often because of their adherence to divine truth. This forms a compelling argument before God's justice.
Psalm 119 22 Bonus section
The prayer in Psalm 119:22 isn't a demand based on human merit, but rather an appeal to God's covenant justice. The psalmist is not saying "I deserve this because I'm perfect," but rather "I have maintained my fidelity to You, O God; therefore, act according to Your character to protect and honor those who uphold Your truth." This highlights the often-paradoxical nature of suffering for the righteous: their very commitment to God can make them targets of ridicule. Yet, it also shows deep faith, believing that God sees their hidden faithfulness and will ultimately intervene. This courage to articulate one's obedience directly to God as a plea for intervention is a mark of profound trust in His justice and responsiveness to His obedient children.
Psalm 119 22 Commentary
Psalm 119:22 presents a common theme found throughout the psalms: the righteous suffering at the hands of the unrighteous. The psalmist, a devoted follower of God's law, faces "reproach and contempt"—public shame and scorn. This is deeply distressing because it undermines their standing and, by extension, seems to question the very power and justice of the God they serve. The request "Remove from me reproach and contempt" is a fervent prayer for vindication. It asks God to actively roll away this burden of disgrace, to restore their honor, and to silence the critics who mock their devotion.
The reason provided for this plea, "for I have kept your testimonies," is crucial. It underscores that the psalmist's suffering is not due to a failure to obey God's commands. Instead, it suggests that the scorn comes from a world hostile to God's truth, or from adversaries who falsely accuse the psalmist. By highlighting their unwavering obedience, the psalmist appeals to God's righteous character and His covenant faithfulness. They are essentially saying, "I have been true to You, O Lord; therefore, show Yourself true to me by delivering me from this unjust scorn." This verse serves as a powerful reminder that following God can sometimes lead to worldly scorn, but it also offers hope that God, in His timing, will vindicate those who remain faithful to His Word.