Psalms 119:122
Psalms 119:122 in Multiple Translations
Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me.
Take your servant's interests into your keeping; let me not be crushed by the men of pride.
Please promise you'll take care of me, your servant. Don't let these arrogant people mistreat me.
Answere for thy seruant in that, which is good, and let not the proude oppresse me.
Make sure Thy servant for good, Let not the proud oppress me.
Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
Promise me that you will do good things for me and do not allow proud people to oppress me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:122
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 119:122 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֲרֹ֣ב
עַבְדְּ/ךָ֣
לְ/ט֑וֹב
אַֽל
יַעַשְׁקֻ֥/נִי
זֵדִֽים
עֲרֹ֣ב
ʻârab
H6148
to pledge
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
עַבְדְּ/ךָ֣
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-ms | Suff
לְ/ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Prep | Adj
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
יַעַשְׁקֻ֥/נִי
ʻâshaq
H6231
to oppress
V-Qal-Juss-3mp | Suff
זֵדִֽים
zêd
H2086
arrogant
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:122
עֲרֹ֣ב
ʻârab
H6148
"to pledge"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This verb means to pledge or exchange something, often in the context of giving security or taking on a responsibility. It can also mean to occupy or undertake something, such as going surety for someone or giving pledges.
Definition: 1) to pledge, exchange, mortgage, engage, occupy, undertake for, give pledges, be or become surety, take on pledge, give in pledge 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take on pledge, go surety for 1a2) to give in pledge 1a3) to exchange 1a4) to pledge 1b) (Hithpael) 1b1) to exchange pledges 1b2) to have fellowship with, share
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be(-come, put in) surety, undertake. See also: Genesis 43:9; Proverbs 17:18; Psalms 106:35.
עַבְדְּ/ךָ֣
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
לְ/ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יַעַשְׁקֻ֥/נִי
ʻâshaq
H6231
"to oppress"
V-Qal-Juss-3mp | Suff
To oppress means to press upon or defraud someone, often violently. It is used to describe wrongdoing in the Bible, such as in the book of Exodus.
Definition: 1) to press upon, oppress, violate, defraud, do violence, get deceitfully, wrong, extort 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to oppress, wrong, extort 1a2) to oppress 1b) (Pual) to be exploited, be crushed
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: get deceitfully, deceive, defraud, drink up, (use) oppress(-ion), -or), do violence (wrong). See also: Leviticus 5:21; Proverbs 14:31; Psalms 72:4.
זֵדִֽים
zêd
H2086
"arrogant"
Adj
This word describes someone who is arrogant or proud, like the presumptuous ones in the Bible. It is used to describe those who defy God's laws. The KJV translates it as presumptuous or proud.
Definition: 1) arrogant, proud, insolent, presumptuous 1a) the arrogant ones (as n coll pl) 1b) presumptuous (as adj)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: presumptuous, proud. See also: Psalms 19:14; Psalms 119:85; Psalms 86:14.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:122
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:122 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:122
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:122
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:122
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:122
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
- Sermons on Psalms 119:122
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
120My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
121I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation, and for Your righteous promise. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion, and teach me Your statutes.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 7:22 | Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. |
| 2 | Isaiah 38:14 | I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.” |
| 3 | Proverbs 22:26–27 | Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? |
| 4 | Psalms 119:21 | You rebuke the arrogant— the cursed who stray from Your commandments. |
| 5 | Job 17:3 | Give me, I pray, the pledge You demand. Who else will be my guarantor? |
| 6 | Genesis 43:9 | I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life. |
| 7 | Philemon 1:18–19 | But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self. |
| 8 | Psalms 36:11 | Let not the foot of the proud come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. |
Psalms 119:122 Summary
This verse is a prayer from the psalmist, asking God to protect and take care of him, and to not let proud or arrogant people oppress him. It's a reminder that as servants of God, we can trust in His power and protection, even when we face challenges or opposition from others, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:31. We can apply this to our own lives by trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, and by seeking to follow His commands and teachings. By doing so, we can experience God's peace and protection, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as promised in Philippians 4:7 and Isaiah 26:3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be oppressed by the arrogant?
To be oppressed by the arrogant means to be treated unfairly or cruelly by those who are proud and think themselves to be superior to others, as seen in Psalms 119:122, and this can be a form of spiritual attack, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.
How can we ensure our well-being as servants of God?
We can ensure our well-being by trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as stated in Psalms 119:122, and by following His commands and teachings, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Matthew 6:33.
What is the relationship between being a servant of God and experiencing oppression?
As servants of God, we may face opposition and oppression from those who do not know or follow God, as seen in Psalms 119:122 and 2 Timothy 3:12, but we can trust that God will ultimately deliver and vindicate us, as promised in Romans 8:28 and Psalms 37:40.
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?
This verse relates to spiritual warfare in that it acknowledges the presence of spiritual enemies, such as the arrogant, who seek to oppress and harm God's servants, and it encourages us to trust in God's power and protection, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have experienced oppression or mistreatment by others, and how can I trust God to deliver me in those situations?
- In what ways can I demonstrate humility and a servant's heart, rather than arrogance, in my interactions with others?
- How can I balance the desire for God to ensure my well-being with the understanding that I may still face trials and challenges as a servant of God?
- What are some practical ways that I can apply the principles of this verse to my daily life, such as trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, and seeking to follow His commands and teachings?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:122
Be surety for thy servant for good,.... The psalmist was, in a like case with Hezekiah, oppressed; and therefore desires the Lord would undertake for him, appear on his side, and defend him, Psalms
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:122
Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me - Be my guarantee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
Ver. 122. Do thou undertake and plead my cause against all mine enemies, as a surety rescues the poor persecuted debtor from the hands of a severe creditor. For good; for my safety and comfort.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
Psalms 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.Ver. 122. Be surety for thy servant for good] Obi vadimonium; appear for me, and nonsuit all accusations against me; or, undertake for me that I shall keep thy laws, as I have said and sworn to do: Sis fide iussor meus. Some observe that this is the only verse throughout the whole psalm wherein the word is not mentioned under the name of law, judgments, statutes,or the like terms. And they make this note upon it; where the law faileth there Christ is a surety of a better testament. There are that render the words thus: Dulcify or delight thy servant in good, that is, make him joyful and comfortable in the pursuit and practice of that which is good, Oblecta servum (Muscul.).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
AIN. (122) Be surety.—Just as Judah became surety for the safety of Benjamin (Genesis 43:9), so the psalmist asks God to be answerable for the servant who had been faithful to the covenant, and stand between him and the attacks of the proud. So Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:14) asks God to “undertake” for him against the threat of death. There is also, no doubt, the further thought that the Divine protection would vindicate the profession which the loyal servant makes of his obedience, as in Job 17:3, where God is summoned as the only possible guarantee of the sufferer’s innocence. This and Psalms 119:132 are the only verses not actually mentioning, under one of its terms, the Law.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
Verse 122. Be surety for thy servant] ערב arob, give a pledge or token that thou wilt help me in times of necessity. Or, Be bail for thy servant. What a word is this! Pledge thyself for me, that thou wilt produce me safely at the judgment of the great day. Then sustain and keep me blameless till the coming of Christ. Neither of these two verses has any of the ten words in reference to God's law or attributes. The judgment and the justice refer to the psalmist's own conduct in Psalms 119:121. The hundred and twenty-second has no word of the kind.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:122
122. Be surety for thy servant for good] “Guarantee Thy servant’s welfare” (Kay). Cp. Genesis 43:9; Job 17:3; Isaiah 38:14. P.B.V. make thou thy servant to delight in that which is good follows Targ., Syr. and Kimchi, in explaining the verb from the sense which it bears in Psalms 104:34 and elsewhere, but this cannot be the meaning. Coverdale was unfortunately misled by Münster’s dulce fac servo tuo id quod est bonum to substitute this rendering in the Great Bible of 1539 for the correct rendering which he had given in 1535, “Be thou suertie for thy servant to do him good.”
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:122
Be surety for thy servant for good - On the meaning of the word here rendered “be surety,” see the notes at Job 17:3, and the notes at Isaiah 38:14, in both which places the same Hebrew word occurs:
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:122
ò, Ayin.121-128. Leave me not to mine oppressors—Let “him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Such is the line of thought in this division. In the pressure of evil the strongest has feelings of weakness.
Sermons on Psalms 119:122
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Sinner Seriously Urged and Entreated to Accept of Salvation in This Way by Philip Doddridge | Philip Doddridge passionately pleads with sinners to accept the salvation offered through Christ, emphasizing the danger of letting convictions wear off and the critical decision b |
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(Hebrews - Part 21): The Transcendental and Mystical by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the interconnectedness of the Christian faith and the natural world. He argues that just as the Bible is a letter from God to his people, na |
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The Heavenly Calling - Part 12 by T. Austin-Sparks | The sermon transcript discusses the theme of "better" in the book of Hebrews. The speaker highlights various verses in the book that emphasize the concept of "better," such as bett |
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Hebrews Chapter 7 by Chip Brogden | In this video, Chip Brogdon continues his series of messages from the book of Hebrews. He focuses on Hebrews chapter 7, discussing Jesus as our High Priest, final sacrifice, and me |
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(Through the Bible) Hebrews - Part 3 by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the comparison between the old covenant and the new covenant as outlined in the book of Hebrews. It emphasizes the need to pattern our lives and ministries |
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Intercession by G.W. North | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of intercession and moving in the glory of God. He refers to the story of Moses and the golden calf in Exodus 32 as an example |
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As the Surety of the Covenant by Andrew Murray | Andrew Murray emphasizes that Jesus is the surety of a better covenant, ensuring both God's faithfulness to His people and their faithfulness to Him. The New Covenant, unlike the o |