Psalm 119 51

Psalm 119:51 kjv

The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

Psalm 119:51 nkjv

The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

Psalm 119:51 niv

The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law.

Psalm 119:51 esv

The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.

Psalm 119:51 nlt

The proud hold me in utter contempt,
but I do not turn away from your instructions.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 51 Meaning

This verse conveys the steadfast devotion of the righteous individual in the face of intense and contemptuous mockery from the proud. Despite profound scorn and attempts to ridicule and deflect, the Psalmist declares an unyielding commitment to God's divine instruction, refusing to deviate from its principles. It highlights the internal strength and unwavering fidelity found in God's law amidst severe external opposition.

Psalm 119 51 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, structured as an elaborate acrostic poem. It is divided into 22 sections, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with eight verses in each section beginning with that respective letter. The central theme woven throughout the entire Psalm is an profound exaltation and meditation on the beauty, power, and necessity of God's Word, referred to by various terms like law, statutes, decrees, commandments, precepts, and promises. The Psalmist consistently expresses deep affection, reliance, and joy in God's divine instruction as the guiding light for life.

Verse 51 falls within the Zayin section (verses 49-56), a portion where the Psalmist reflects on God's covenant and remembers His word, seeking comfort and steadfastness in the face of affliction and the contempt of the proud. Historically, those devoted to God's Law often faced scorn from the wicked, both internal and external, who lived in opposition to divine ways. The verse highlights the perennial conflict between righteousness and ungodliness, acting as a polemic against human arrogance and asserting the absolute supremacy of divine truth as the unwavering anchor for a faithful life.

Psalm 119 51 Word analysis

• The arrogant:
  • Hebrew: זֵדִים (zedim) – Plural of zad.
  • Meaning: Proud, presumptuous, insolent, defiant.
  • Significance: This word characterizes those who hold contempt for divine authority due to their inflated self-importance. They are not merely opponents, but rebels whose opposition to the righteous stems from an audacious, prideful dismissal of God's revealed will.
• utterly deride me:
  • Hebrew: לִי הֵלִיצֻנִי מְאֹד (li heliʦuni me'od)
  • Heliʦuni (from לִיץ, lîts): To mock, scorn, ridicule, treat with contempt; often implies public and vocal derision.
  • Me'od (מְאֹד): Very much, exceedingly, utterly.
  • Significance: The combination emphasizes the severe, intense, and comprehensive nature of the mockery. It suggests an attempt to thoroughly humiliate and break the Psalmist's spirit through relentless scoffing, rather than a mere casual taunt.
• but I do not turn aside:
  • Hebrew: לֹא־נָטִיתִי (lo-naṭiti)
  • Lo (לֹא): Not.
  • Naṭiti (from נָטָה, naṭah): To stretch out, turn aside, deviate, incline, stray.
  • Significance: This phrase expresses the Psalmist's resolute and unwavering stance. Despite the profound pressure and humiliation, there is no hint of yielding, deviating, or compromising. It reveals deep internal conviction and a will firmly fixed on the divine path.
• from your law:
  • Hebrew: מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ (mitoratecha)
  • Mith (מִ): From.
  • Toratecha (תּוֹרָתֶךָ, from תּוֹרָה, Torah): Broadly, "instruction" or "teaching"; encompasses God's revealed will, including commandments, precepts, statutes, and divine wisdom.
  • Significance: The "law" is God's foundational truth, the source of light and life. The Psalmist's fidelity is not to a legalistic code, but to the very essence of God's character and perfect will as revealed in His Word. This adherence provides an unshakeable anchor against worldly contempt and keeps the believer on the right path.

Psalm 119 51 Bonus section

The power of "utterly" (מְאֹד) underscores the depth of the spiritual conflict depicted in this verse. It emphasizes that the mockery is not light or fleeting, but persistent and profound, aiming to dislodge the Psalmist's very foundation. This intensifies the triumph of the Psalmist’s response, as his steadfastness is measured against extreme adversity. The verse thereby highlights the remarkable sustaining power of God’s law, implying that the divine comfort derived from it is far superior to any discomfort or humiliation inflicted by human scorn. This spiritual dynamic ensures that despite external turmoil, inner peace and commitment remain anchored in God.

Psalm 119 51 Commentary

Psalm 119:51 beautifully illustrates the steadfast faith of a believer under severe pressure. The "arrogant," defined by their prideful contempt for God's authority, inflict intense, soul-crushing derision. Their aim is to publicly humiliate and thereby force a deviation from God's path. Yet, the Psalmist’s response is a powerful declaration of an unyielding commitment: "I do not turn aside from your law." This unwavering adherence is not born of mere stubbornness, but from a profound internal delight and reliance on God's perfect and eternal Word, which offers greater comfort and stability than any worldly opinion or scorn. It shows that even the most extreme human rejection cannot separate the devoted heart from God's truth, demonstrating that fidelity to God’s commands anchors the soul amidst life's storms. It is a timeless example for believers facing trials, to value God's divine guidance above all else.