Psalms 119:61
Psalms 119:61 in Multiple Translations
Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round; But I have not forgotten thy law.
The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.
Even though wicked people try to tie me up, I won't forget your instructions.
The bandes of the wicked haue robbed me: but I haue not forgotten thy Lawe.
Cords of the wicked have surrounded me, Thy law I have not forgotten.
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Wicked people have tried to seize me, like a hunter tries to catch an animal with a net [MET], but I do not forget your laws.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 119:61
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 119:61 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֶבְלֵ֣י
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
עִוְּדֻ֑/נִי
תּֽ֝וֹרָתְ/ךָ֗
לֹ֣א
שָׁכָֽחְתִּי
חֶבְלֵ֣י
chebel
H2256
cord
N-cp
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
עִוְּדֻ֑/נִי
ʻûwd
H5749
to uphold
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
תּֽ֝וֹרָתְ/ךָ֗
tôwrâh
H8451
instruction
N-fs | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
שָׁכָֽחְתִּי
shâkach
H7911
to forget
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 119:61
חֶבְלֵ֣י
chebel
H2256
"cord"
N-cp
A cord or rope, also a measured area of land or a group of people tied together. In the Bible, it appears in books like Joshua and Psalms. It can also mean a company or region.
Definition: 1) a cord, rope, territory, band, company 1a) a rope, cord 1b) a measuring-cord or line 1c) a measured portion, lot, part, region 1d) a band or company § destruction
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. See also: Deuteronomy 3:4; Psalms 119:61; Psalms 16:6.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
עִוְּדֻ֑/נִי
ʻûwd
H5749
"to uphold"
V-Piel-Perf-3cp | Suff
To testify means to repeat or affirm something, like a witness in court. In the Bible, it appears in Deuteronomy 4:26 and Isaiah 44:26. It involves speaking up or warning others.
Definition: 1) to return, repeat, go about, do again 1a) (Piel) to surround, go round and round 1b) (Pilel) to restore, relieve 1c) (Hithpalel) to be restored
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record, relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning, (bear, call to, give, take to) witness. See also: Genesis 43:3; Nehemiah 13:15; Psalms 20:9.
תּֽ֝וֹרָתְ/ךָ֗
tôwrâh
H8451
"instruction"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.
Definition: 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law
Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: law. See also: Genesis 26:5; Nehemiah 8:7; Psalms 1:2.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
שָׁכָֽחְתִּי
shâkach
H7911
"to forget"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To forget something means to mislay it or be oblivious to it. This Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe when people forget things, like God's commands. The KJV translates it as 'to forget' or 'at all'.
Definition: 1) to forget, ignore, wither 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to forget 1a2) to cease to care 1b) (Niphal) to be forgotten 1c) (Piel) to cause to forget 1d) (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget 1e) (Hithpael) to be forgotten Aramaic equivalent: she.khach (שְׁכַח "to find" H7912)
Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. See also: Genesis 27:45; Psalms 106:13; Psalms 9:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 119:61
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 119:61 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:61
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:61
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:61
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:61
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
- Sermons on Psalms 119:61
Context — Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
59I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.
60I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.
61Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.
62At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments. 63I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romans 12:17–21 | Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
| 2 | Psalms 119:176 | I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments. |
| 3 | Hosea 6:9 | Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities. |
| 4 | Psalms 140:5 | The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah |
| 5 | Proverbs 24:29 | Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” |
| 6 | Job 1:17 | While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” |
| 7 | Psalms 3:1 | O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 26:9–11 | But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.” |
| 9 | Psalms 119:95 | The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies. |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 24:9–11 | 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. |
Psalms 119:61 Summary
[Psalms 119:61 means that even when we are faced with difficult or unfair situations, we can still choose to remember and obey God's law. This is possible because God's law is a source of freedom and comfort, as seen in Psalms 119:45. By prioritizing our relationship with God and recalling His promises, such as Deuteronomy 31:6, we can find the strength to overcome any challenge. As Romans 12:21 teaches, we can overcome evil with good by choosing to obey God, even when it is hard.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the 'ropes of the wicked' to bind me?
This phrase is a metaphor for the ways in which sinful people or systems can try to restrict or oppress us, but as believers, we can find freedom in God's law, just as it says in Psalms 119:45, where it is written, 'I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.'
How can I remember God's law when I am facing difficult circumstances?
The psalmist's determination to remember God's law, even when bound by the ropes of the wicked, is an example to us to prioritize our relationship with God and to recall His promises, such as Deuteronomy 31:6, which says, 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.'
Is it possible to be bound by the wicked and still be obedient to God?
Yes, it is possible to be bound by the wicked and still choose to obey God, as the psalmist demonstrates in Psalms 119:61, and this is in line with the teaching of Romans 12:21, which instructs us to 'not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.'
What role does faith play in remembering God's law when faced with adversity?
Faith plays a crucial role in remembering God's law when faced with adversity, as it allows us to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances are difficult, as expressed in Psalms 23:4, which says, 'Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which the 'ropes of the wicked' are currently binding you, and how can you remember God's law in those situations?
- How has God's law brought you freedom or comfort in the past, and how can you apply those experiences to your current circumstances?
- What are some practical steps you can take to prioritize remembering God's law, even when faced with difficult circumstances?
- How can you use the example of the psalmist to encourage others who may be facing similar challenges?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 119:61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me,.... Very probably Saul and his ministers seized on his effects, when he fled from him; and the Amalekites plundered him of all his substance, when they took
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law .
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
Robbed me; or, made a prey of me; done me many injuries for my respect to thy law.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
Psalms 119:61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: [but] I have not forgotten thy law.Ver. 61. The bands of the wicked have robbed me] In these late stripping times many a poor man’ s whole life’ s settings were lost in an instant. But I have not forgotten thy law] I have encouraged myself in the Lord my God, as at the sack of Ziklag, 1 Samuel 30:6
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
(61) The bands . . .—Rather, cords of the wicked surrounded me. (See Psalms 18:5-6.) So all ancient versions except the Targum.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
Verse 61. The bands of the wicked have robbed me] חבלי chebley, the cables, cords, or snares of the wicked. They have hunted us like wild beasts; many they have taken for prey, and many they have destroyed.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 119:61
61. The cords of the wicked have entangled me] A metaphor from the snare or noose of the hunter. Cp. Psalms 119:110; Psalms 18:5. Though the wicked lay snares for him, he will not cast in his lot with those who forget God. P.B.V. and A.V. follow some Jewish authorities, and Luther.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 119:61
The bands of the wicked - Margin, “companies.” The Hebrew word properly means a cord, a rope; then a snare, gin, net; then, a band or a company of men.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 119:61
ç, Cheth.57-64. Thou art my portion—Having found in the statutes of the Lord the joy and solace mentioned in the last division, the writer now earnestly prays that, as the highest good, he may have a
Sermons on Psalms 119:61
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Christ Overcame Evil With Good, Do the Same by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love and the need to overcome evil with good. He highlights the concept of giving water and food to one's enemies and wanti |
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Forgiveness - Part 9 by Keith Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and love towards those who have wronged us, highlighting the need for God's grace to enable us to forgive effortlessly and show |
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Peter the Teacher by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the idea of loving life and seeing good days. He emphasizes that many people in the world may have good days, but they do not truly love lif |
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Do Not Avenge Yourselves, but Give Place to Wrath by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a family tragedy where a father and two brothers were killed, leaving behind a 13-year-old daughter and their mother. The spe |
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When Is It Right to Repay Evil With Pain? by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses five behaviors that go against the teachings of the Bible. These behaviors include punishing enemies, rewarding lack of learning, not paying w |
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We Have Been Called to Peace by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing the peace of God to rule and govern our hearts. He compares it to a governor in an older vehicle that limits its s |
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Studies in Romans-08 by William MacDonald | The sermon transcript emphasizes the importance of humility and unity within the body of Christ. It encourages believers to recognize their unique roles and functions within the ch |