Psalms 119:121

I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The psalmist speaks to God, declaring personal obedience before pleading for rescue from hostile forces. This statement follows the psalmist’s declaration of trembling awe at divine judgments in the preceding verse.

The words — The terms מִשְׁפָּ֣ט (mishpat) and צֶ֑דֶק (tzedek) literally mean justice and righteousness, defining the scope of the psalmist’s claimed conduct. The phrase בַּל־תַּנִּיחֵנִי (bal-tannineni) translates as a direct command for God not to abandon the speaker.

The thread — The combined phrase justice and righteousness describes David’s governance in 2 Samuel 8:15. The petition against abandonment to oppressors aligns with the assurance in Psalms 37:33 that God will not leave the righteous in their power.

Why it lands — The text first records a claim of moral action, then immediately requests divine intervention. It requires the reader to pair personal accountability with a direct dependence on God’s protective response.

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

עָ֭שִׂיתִי'A.si.tiI have done מִשְׁפָּ֣טmish.Patjustice וָצֶ֑דֶקva./Tze.dekand/ righteousness בַּל־bal-not תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִיta.ni.Che./niyou will abandon/ me לְעֹֽשְׁקָֽי׃le./'O.she.Ka/ito/ oppressors/ my

King James Version

ע AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Cross-references

2 Samuel 8:15 Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:
Psalms 18:20 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
Psalms 37:33 the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.
2 Corinthians 1:12 For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
1 Samuel 24:11 See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see 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.
1 Samuel 25:28 Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.
Psalms 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
Psalms 57:3 He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.
Psalms 75:2 “When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.
Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.