Bible Strands
Psalms 119:126
It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God, having just requested understanding in Psalms 119:125 and declaring love for commandments in Psalms 119:127. The text states that a specific moment has arrived for divine intervention because the people have violated God's law.
The words — The Hebrew עֵת ('et) marks a fixed time, directly paired with לַעֲשׂוֹת (la'a.Sot), meaning "to act," and לַיהוָה (laYahweh), "to the LORD." The verb הֵפֵרוּ (he.Fe.ru) declares that "they have broken" תּוֹרָתֶךָ (to'raTekha), "Your law."
The thread — The disruption of divine instruction appears in Jeremiah 8:8, where scribes corrupt the Law, Habakkuk 1:4, where the law is paralyzed by wicked oppression, and Malachi 2:8, where leaders cause many to stumble by violating the covenant.
Why it lands — The text records that human lawbreaking creates a crisis requiring God's direct action. The reader must acknowledge that covenant standing depends on obedience to the law, not on claimed wisdom or priestly status.
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
It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 8:8 How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception?
- Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.
- Malachi 2:8 But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Psalms 9:19 Rise up, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence.
- Matthew 15:6 he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
- Romans 3:31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
- Romans 4:14 For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless,
- Psalms 102:13 You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.
- Isaiah 42:14 “I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant.
- Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”