Psalm 119 42

Psalm 119:42 kjv

So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

Psalm 119:42 nkjv

So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.

Psalm 119:42 niv

then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:42 esv

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:42 nlt

Then I can answer those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 42 Meaning

Psalm 119:42 declares the psalmist's resolute confidence that his unwavering trust in God's Word equips him with a decisive and honorable response to anyone who seeks to reproach or scorn him. His ability to answer such adversaries is rooted entirely in the faithfulness and truth of God's revealed instruction and promises, rather than in his own wisdom or defense. It signifies a profound reliance on divine truth as the ultimate vindication against those who mock the ways of God or His people.

Psalm 119 42 Context

Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, celebrating and meditating upon God's law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, and word, often using interchangeable terms to emphasize various aspects of God's revealed will. Each eight-verse strophe begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 42 falls within the "Vav" section (verses 41-48), where the psalmist specifically appeals for God's steadfast love and salvation to come to him (v. 41). He expresses his desire to continue walking in freedom (v. 45), speak boldly before kings (v. 46), delight in God's commands (v. 47), and lift up his hands to God's commandments (v. 48). Amidst these pleas and declarations, verse 42 positions trust in God's Word as the foundation for overcoming reproach, connecting his inner confidence with an outward manifestation of defense and steadfastness in the face of scorn. The overall chapter expresses a passionate, life-long devotion to God's truth despite a hostile world, facing potential ridicule, contempt, and persecution from those who do not share his commitment.

Psalm 119 42 Word analysis

• And I shall have an answer (וְאֶעֶנֶה - wəʾeʿeneh): Derived from ʿānāh (עָנָה), meaning "to answer, respond, testify, make a reply." This is not merely a verbal comeback, but a confident, authoritative, and well-founded rebuttal. It implies a response that can satisfy or refute the accusation. The psalmist expects a means to clear himself or God's name, often through the manifestation of God's truth or faithfulness.
• for him who reproaches me (חֹרְפִי - ḥōrfī): From ḥāraf (חָרַף), meaning "to reproach, scorn, taunt, insult, defy." This refers to someone who slanders, abuses, or insults the psalmist, often targeting his faith or perceived weakness due to his devotion to God's Word. The reproach can be deeply personal, challenging one's character, beliefs, or standing before God and man.
• a word (דָבָר - dāvār): In this context, it functions as "an answer" or "a proper response." dāvār is a very broad term in Hebrew, meaning "word, thing, matter, speech, decree, report, promise." Here, it signifies the content of the answer—a powerful, truthful statement or principle that will refute the accuser. The psalmist gains this 'word' from God's dāvār.
• for (כִּי - kī): This is a causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the reason or justification for the psalmist's confidence. The answer is not produced by his own wisdom or cunning, but because of a specific foundation: his trust in God's Word.
• I trust (בָטַחְתִּי - vāṭaḥtī): From bāṭaḥ (בָּטַח), "to trust, rely, feel secure, be confident." This verb is in the Qal Perfect tense, indicating a completed, firm, and established state of trust. It speaks of a deep-seated reliance and security that has been deliberately placed in God's Word. This trust is not fleeting but abiding.
• in Your word (בִּדְבָרֶךָ - bidəvāreḵā): Refers to dāvār (דָּבָר) again, preceded by the preposition bi- (in/on/with) and the second person singular masculine suffix ḵā (Your). This Your word (often capitalized) specifically points to God's revealed will—His precepts, promises, commands, testimonies, and the entire body of divine revelation. It is the dependable, truthful, and life-giving foundation upon which the psalmist places his trust.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I shall have an answer for him who reproaches me": This phrase highlights the adversarial context of the believer's life. The faithful are often met with scorn and challenges for their commitment to God. The expectation is not merely to have an answer intellectually but to be empowered to provide one, a true vindication.
• "a word, for I trust in Your word": This creates a profound and significant wordplay. The dāvār (word/answer) the psalmist will give to his reproacher is directly grounded in, and sourced from, the dāvār (Word) of God in which he has trusted. His verbal defense or vindication comes not from human cleverness but from divine revelation and faithfulness. This divine dāvār becomes his effective answer. The trust (bāṭaḥ) implies a reliance that extends beyond intellectual assent to an active resting and security in the character and reliability of God as expressed in His Word.

Psalm 119 42 Bonus section

The concept of dāvār (דָּבָר) as "word," "thing," and "answer" is rich in Hebrew thought. Here, it beautifully ties together God's communicated truth, the act of confident reliance upon it, and the effective outcome of that reliance as a counter-argument to detractors. This isn't merely about having the right biblical citation ready, but about the profound integration of God's character (revealed in His dāvār) into the psalmist's own being, so that his very life becomes a living testimony or an 'answer.' The reproach also highlights that a life dedicated to God's Word is often met with opposition, signifying that faithful obedience will rarely escape challenges or criticism in a fallen world. Yet, it also promises that divine enablement empowers believers to face such hostility without shame, standing firm in the truth they embody and proclaim.

Psalm 119 42 Commentary

Psalm 119:42 articulates a profound truth for the believer: genuine confidence in God's Word yields a potent defense against criticism and scorn. The "reproach" faced by the psalmist can stem from various sources: disbelievers mocking faith, persecutors scorning righteous living, or even self-doubt instilled by adversaries. In an age where truth is often relativized, the psalmist grounds his response in an objective, immutable source—God's dāvār. His answer is not born of human wit or retaliatory anger, but from a settled conviction that God's revealed truth will ultimately prove trustworthy and sufficient. This verse teaches that our deepest trust in God's promises and commands gives us not just a reason for hope, but the very "word" or argument needed to withstand the accusations of a world that often dismisses or disdains faith. This response might be verbal testimony, but more deeply, it's the vindication of a life lived according to God's truth, demonstrating His faithfulness even amidst scorn.