Psalm 119 87

Psalm 119:87 kjv

They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

Psalm 119:87 nkjv

They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.

Psalm 119:87 niv

They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Psalm 119:87 esv

They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Psalm 119:87 nlt

They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.

Psalm 119 verses

Psalm 119 87 Meaning

Psalm 119:87 powerfully expresses the psalmist's deep affliction and perseverance. It states that persecutors brought him to the very brink of destruction on earth, yet, despite facing near-fatal hardship, he remained unwaveringly faithful to God's divine precepts and refused to abandon them. The verse encapsulates a profound act of endurance and loyalty to God's Word in the face of extreme adversity and existential threat.

Psalm 119 87 Context

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, an acrostic poem celebrating the enduring perfection and salvific power of God's law. Each of its 22 stanzas, corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, features 8 verses that begin with that letter, and each verse consistently references one of the various synonymous terms for God's Word (e.g., statutes, precepts, laws, testimonies, commandments, judgments, decrees, promises).

Verse 87 falls within the "Kaph" (כ) section (verses 81-88). This section is characterized by the psalmist's deep personal distress and the relentless persecution he faces from the arrogant and those who do not obey God's law. He expresses extreme physical and emotional exhaustion ("My soul faints for your salvation," v. 81; "I have become like a wineskin in smoke," v. 83), yet maintains his hope in God's promises and his unwavering commitment to His Word. The psalmist repeatedly contrasts his faithful adherence to God's precepts with the hostile actions and reproaches of the proud who seek to destroy him, emphasizing his choice to remain faithful even as life is threatened.

Psalm 119 87 Word analysis

• They had almost consumed me: כִּמְעַט כִּלּוּנִי (kim'at killuni)

  • כִּמְעַט (kim'at): "almost," "scarcely," "very little." This adverb denotes a near-total completion of an action. It emphasizes that the psalmist was brought to the very edge of destruction, illustrating the severity and proximity of the danger.
  • כִּלּוּנִי (killuni): "they consumed me," "they destroyed me," "they brought me to an end." This is derived from the verb כָּלָה (kalah), which means to finish, complete, make an end, or to consume utterly, annihilate. In this context, it speaks of an overwhelming persecution that aimed for his complete obliteration—whether physically, socially, or by breaking his spirit. The plural "they" indicates multiple adversaries. This implies severe, organized, or pervasive opposition.

• upon earth: בָאָרֶץ (ba'aretz)

  • בָאָרֶץ (ba'aretz): "in the earth," "on the land." This phrase roots the suffering in a concrete, physical, and temporal reality. It is not merely a spiritual battle but an actual, tangible threat to his earthly existence and well-being. This specific framing underscores that despite direct, worldly opposition, his commitment to divine precepts, which transcend earthly realms, remains absolute.

• but I forsook not: וַאֲנִי לֹא-עָזַבְתִּי (va'ani lo-azavti)

  • וַאֲנִי (va'ani): "but I," "and I." The conjunction "waw" ("but" or "and") signals a strong contrast and defiant stance. The emphatic pronoun "I" highlights the psalmist's personal agency and deliberate choice in the face of immense pressure.
  • לֹא-עָזַבְתִּי (lo-azavti): "I did not forsake," "I did not abandon," "I did not desert." This is the negative of the verb עָזַב (azav), which means to leave, forsake, abandon, or cast off. The negation "lo" indicates an active and resolute refusal to compromise or turn away. It signifies faithfulness and perseverance. This highlights the internal strength derived from his relationship with God and His Word.

• thy precepts: פִקּוּדֶיךָ (pikkudeykha)

  • פִקּוּדֶיךָ (pikkudeykha): "Your precepts," "Your ordinances," "Your instructions." Pikkudim (plural) are specific instructions, mandates, or injunctions that are given or entrusted, often implying care and oversight. Unlike general laws, precepts imply detailed commands meant for guidance. The "your" directly attributes these commands to God, emphasizing their divine authority and perfect nature. To abandon them would be to abandon God Himself.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "They had almost consumed me upon earth": This phrase dramatically portrays the extremity of the persecution. It signifies not just hardship but a near-total destruction of life, liberty, or livelihood in a very tangible sense. It highlights the vulnerability of the psalmist to human adversaries and earthly dangers.
  • "but I forsook not thy precepts": This forms a powerful contrast and a statement of profound theological truth. Despite the immense pressure and suffering leading to near-annihilation, the psalmist's loyalty to God's divine instructions remained unbroken. This speaks to the sustaining power of God's Word and the steadfastness of genuine faith. It is an affirmation of moral and spiritual integrity, where external pressures failed to break internal resolve centered on God.

Psalm 119 87 Bonus section

The enduring quality of God's Word, a core theme of Psalm 119, is beautifully illuminated in this verse. Even when life itself seems fragile and temporary "upon earth," the psalmist's allegiance to "Your precepts" proves unshakeable, asserting their eternal value over transient worldly threats. This verse, therefore, serves as a timeless testimony to the sufficiency of God's commands as a guide and anchor for the believer, demonstrating that their light shines brightest when darkness is most oppressive. It suggests that a deep immersion in God's Word is the very sustenance that enables one to resist yielding to external pressures and temptations to compromise one's faith, regardless of the severity of the trial.

Psalm 119 87 Commentary

Psalm 119:87 encapsulates a vivid and profound statement about the steadfastness of faith amidst the direst circumstances. The psalmist declares that his enemies had brought him to the very edge of physical, social, or perhaps even spiritual destruction on earth. The phrase "almost consumed me" points to a situation of extreme vulnerability, where he was at the mercy of forces intending his complete ruin. This is not a slight discomfort but a near-fatal assault on his being.

Yet, immediately juxtaposed against this grim reality is a resolute affirmation of loyalty: "but I forsook not thy precepts." This "but I" signifies a deliberate, conscious choice to hold firm to God's commands despite the cost. The "precepts" represent the detailed, administrative instructions of God—His revealed will and way of life. The psalmist's refusal to abandon them reveals that his commitment to God's Word was deeper and more compelling than the fear of death or total loss. His life was in peril precisely because of his adherence to these precepts, making his steadfastness a profound act of faithfulness. This demonstrates that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but an enduring loyalty that sustains the believer when all earthly support fails. It points to a source of strength that transcends human ability and finds its roots in the divine Word itself, which gives life even in the shadow of death.