Bible Strands
Psalms 119:115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses evildoers directly, demanding separation to preserve personal obedience to God. This declaration sits between a statement of hope in divine instruction and a plea for God's sustaining power.
The words — The imperative סֽוּרוּ־ (su.ru-) commands a turning aside or departure, while אֶצְּרָ֗ה ('e.tze.Rah) states the purpose: "let me observe." These verbs frame the verse as a deliberate withdrawal from corrupting proximity to maintain fidelity.
The thread — The demand for separation mirrors the plea in Psalms 6:8 for God to dismiss workers of iniquity. The boundary principle reappears in 1 Corinthians 15:33 regarding corrupting company and Matthew 7:23 regarding divine rejection of lawlessness.
Why it lands — The text demands the reader to actively distance themselves from influences that threaten obedience. It requires a practical boundary to protect devotion rather than a passive hope for moral preservation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- Psalms 6:8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
- Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
- Psalms 26:5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.
- Psalms 119:106 I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
- Psalms 139:19 O God, that You would slay the wicked—away from me, you bloodthirsty men—
- Psalms 26:9 Do not take my soul away with sinners, or my life with men of bloodshed,
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”