Bible Strands
Psalms 119:134
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, pleading for deliverance from human hostility while committing to obedience. This request appears within a structured meditation on Torah observance, framed by a petition for guided steps in verse 133 and a request for divine illumination in verse 135.
The words — The Hebrew פְּ֭דֵ֫נִי (peḏēnî) literally means "redeem me," and עֹ֣שֶׁק (ʿōsheq) translates to "oppression." These terms anchor the plea in a demand for divine rescue from human cruelty to preserve covenant fidelity.
The thread — The motif of deliverance from human oppression recurs in Psalms 119:122, where the psalmist asks God to prevent the arrogant from dominating him. The gathering motif in Ezekiel 11:17 echoes the theme of divine intervention against human hostility.
Why it lands — The text demands that divine rescue be directed toward the practical goal of obeying God's commands rather than securing personal comfort. A reader must examine whether their own appeals for help prioritize covenant faithfulness over self-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
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Cross-references
- Psalms 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
- Psalms 119:122 Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
- Ezekiel 11:17 Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’
- Luke 1:74 deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
- Psalms 56:13 For You have delivered my soul from death, and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
- Psalms 105:43 He brought forth His people with rejoicing, His chosen with shouts of joy.
- Psalms 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am brought quite low. Rescue me from my pursuers, for they are too strong for me.
- Ezekiel 36:24 For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land.
- Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.