Psalms 119:161
Psalms 119:161 in Multiple Translations
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
Rulers have been cruel to me without cause; but I have the fear of your word in my heart.
Leaders persecute me for no reason, but I am in awe only of your word.
SCHIN. Princes haue persecuted mee without cause, but mine heart stood in awe of thy wordes.
[Shin.] Princes have pursued me without cause, And because of Thy words was my heart afraid.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Rulers persecute me for no reason, but in my inner being I revere ◄your words/what you have said►.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:161
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 119:161 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שָׂ֭רִים
רְדָפ֣וּ/נִי
חִנָּ֑ם
ו/מ/דברי/ך
וּ֝/מִ/דְּבָרְ/ךָ֗
פָּחַ֥ד
לִבִּֽ/י
שָׂ֭רִים
sar
H8269
ruler
N-mp
רְדָפ֣וּ/נִי
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
חִנָּ֑ם
chinnâm
H2600
for nothing
Adv
ו/מ/דברי/ך
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Conj | Prep | N-mp | Suff
וּ֝/מִ/דְּבָרְ/ךָ֗
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
פָּחַ֥ד
pâchad
H6342
to dread
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִבִּֽ/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:161
שָׂ֭רִים
sar
H8269
"ruler"
N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
רְדָפ֣וּ/נִי
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp | Suff
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
חִנָּ֑ם
chinnâm
H2600
"for nothing"
Adv
For nothing means something is done without a reason or cost. It can also mean something is done in vain or without purpose. This concept is seen in various Bible stories and teachings.
Definition: 1) freely, for nothing, without cause 1a) gratis, gratuitously, for nothing 1b) for no purpose, in vain 1c) gratuitously, without cause, undeservedly
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: without a cause (cost, wages), causeless, to cost nothing, free(-ly), innocent, for nothing (nought, in vain. See also: Genesis 29:15; Psalms 69:5; Psalms 35:7.
ו/מ/דברי/ך
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Conj | Prep | N-mp | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
וּ֝/מִ/דְּבָרְ/ךָ֗
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
פָּחַ֥ד
pâchad
H6342
"to dread"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to feel fear or dread, like being startled by a sudden alarm. It appears in the Bible when people are in awe or fear of God. The book of Proverbs uses it to describe the fear of the Lord.
Definition: 1) to fear, tremble, revere, dread, be in awe or dread 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be in dread 1a2) to be in awe 1b) (Piel) to be in great dread 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to dread
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: be afraid, stand in awe, (be in) fear, make to shake. See also: Deuteronomy 28:66; Isaiah 12:2; Psalms 14:5.
לִבִּֽ/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:161
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:161 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:161
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:161
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:161
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:161
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
- Sermons on Psalms 119:161
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
159Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD; give me life according to Your loving devotion.
160The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
161Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.
162I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 66:2 | Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 26:18 | And he continued, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? |
| 3 | Psalms 119:157 | Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 24:9–15 | and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’? Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’ See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. As the old proverb says, ‘Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.’ But my hand will never be against you. Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? May the LORD be our judge and decide between you and me. May He take notice and plead my case and deliver me from your hand.” |
| 5 | Psalms 119:23 | Though rulers sit and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes. |
| 6 | John 15:25 | But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ |
| 7 | Psalms 4:4 | Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah |
| 8 | Genesis 39:9 | No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 36:23–25 | And as soon as Jehudi had read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut them off with a scribe’s knife and throw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll had been consumed by the fire. Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments. Even though Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. |
| 10 | Job 31:23 | For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower. |
Psalms 119:161 Summary
[This verse means that even when people in power are against us, we don't have to be afraid, because we have a higher authority to answer to - God Himself. As it says in Psalm 56:4, 'In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.' The psalmist is saying that their heart is focused on obeying and honoring God's word, no matter what others may say or do. This is a great example for us to follow, as we are called to be faithful and obedient to God's word, even in the face of opposition (1 Peter 2:20).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to fear God's word?
To fear God's word means to have a deep reverence and respect for its authority and power, recognizing that it is the ultimate standard for our lives, as seen in Psalms 19:7-10 and Proverbs 1:7.
Why do rulers persecute the psalmist without cause?
The psalmist is likely being persecuted because of their faith and obedience to God's word, which is a common theme throughout the Bible, such as in Matthew 5:10-12 and 2 Timothy 3:12.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by standing firm in our commitment to God's word, even in the face of opposition or persecution, and trusting in His sovereignty and protection, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Psalm 23:4.
What is the relationship between fearing God's word and loving His precepts?
Fearing God's word and loving His precepts are closely related, as seen in Psalms 119:159, where the psalmist expresses their love for God's precepts and asks for life according to His loving devotion, demonstrating that a deep love for God's word is rooted in a healthy fear of His authority and power.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I am being 'persecuted' in my own life, and how can I respond with faith and courage?
- How can I cultivate a deeper fear and reverence for God's word in my own heart and life?
- What are some promises or truths from God's word that I can cling to in times of difficulty or opposition?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love for God's law and precepts in my daily life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:161
v, SCHIN.--The Twenty-first Part. Ver. 161. SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause,.... These were either the princes of the Philistines at the court of Achish; or the princes of Israel,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. Princes have persecuted me without a cause - as Saul did David (1 Samuel 24:11; 1 Samuel 24:14; 1 Samuel 26:18).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
SCHIN Ver. 161. Princes; who had power to do it, and who ought to have used their authority to protect me, whom they knew to be innocent and injured. But my heart standeth in awe of thy word; but I feared thine offence and displeasure more than their wrath.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
Psalms 119:161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.Ver. 161. Princes have persecuted me without a cause] And Quae venit indigne poena, dolenda venit. But better without a cause than for evil-doing, 1 Peter 4:12-19 David suffered by these potentates, because he was small and despised, Psalms 119:141, as a little dog is worried by the bigger, as the lesser fishes are devoured by the greater. But my heart standeth in awe of thy word] The fear of God driveth out the fear of the creature, Isaiah 8:12-13.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
SCHIN. (161) Princes.—Here again we have an indication of the national character of the psalm. It was the whole community which suffered from the intrigues and violence of princes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
LETTER ש SCHIN. - Twenty-first Division Verse 161. Princes have persecuted me] This may refer to what was done by prime ministers, and the rulers of provinces, to sour the king against the unfortunate Jews, in order still to detain them in bondage. In reference to David, the plotting against him in Saul's court, and the dangers he ran in consequence of the jealousies of the Philistine lords while he sojourned among them, are well known. My heart standeth in awe] They had probably offers made them of enlargement or melioration of condition, providing they submitted to some idolatrous conditions; but they knew they had to do with a jealous God; their hearts stood in awe, and they were thereby kept from sin.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:161
161–168. Shîn (and Sîn). God’s law fills the Psalmist’s heart with awe, joy, love, and gratitude; he has been diligent in its observance. It is not the boasting of the Pharisee, but the honest profession of a good conscience. This stanza and that of Mçm (Psalms 119:97 ff.) contain no petition.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause - This commences a new division of the psalm, indicated by the Hebrew letter Schin (שׂ ś, and שׁ sh) - corresponding to our “s,” or “sh.” On the meaning of
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:161
ùׁ, Shin.161-168. Princes have persecuted me—Persecutions still return, yet “the joy of the Lord” is his strength.
Sermons on Psalms 119:161
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Sermon That Has Angered Many - Examine Yourself by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the importance of focusing on eternal things. He warns against being enslaved to the things of this present |
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Birth and Death in the Christian Life by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker shares various anecdotes and observations to emphasize the importance of accepting Christ. He mentions a man who hired a harp player and was captivated |
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(Pdf Book) Beauty of Christ Through Brokenness by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of brokenness in the Christian life, illustrating that true humility and surrender to God are essential for reflecting Christ's image. He |
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Revival (Joseph) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the harsh treatment of slaves in the past, where they were chained and made to work as human horses. He emphasizes the importance of bringi |
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Yielding by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, Dr. Alan Redpath discusses the story of David in 1 Chronicles 21. David realizes that his sin has caused innocent people to suffer, and he falls on his face before |
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Perils and Sorrows of a Contrite Heart by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob from the Bible. Jacob finds himself in a difficult situation with two wives who are arguing and accusing each other. He is |
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Biblical Assurance (Part 2) by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of being truly born again and how to know if one is a genuine believer. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one's lifestyle w |