Bible Strands
Psalms 119:141
I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks to God within an acrostic poem structured around the Torah. He declares his personal condition of low status while affirming his loyalty to divine instruction.
The words — The Hebrew terms צָעִיר (tza.'Ir) and נִבְזֶה (niv.Zeh) literally mean "insignificant" and "despised." They frame the psalmist's self-description before the negative verb לֹא שָׁכַחְתִּי (lo' sha.Kha.che.ti), "I have not forgotten."
The thread — This posture of the marginalized remembering God's commands echoes the scorned figure in Psalms 22:6 and the theological theme that God elevates the lowly as seen in James 2:5. The contrast between human insignificance and divine faithfulness continues in the surrounding verses of Psalms 119:140 and Psalms 119:142.
Why it lands — The text demands that a reader maintain obedience to God's commands regardless of social standing or personal suffering. It establishes fidelity to divine instruction as independent of external validation or internal comfort.
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
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Cross-references
- Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Luke 6:20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
- Luke 9:58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
- Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my helper and deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
- Psalms 119:109 I constantly take my life in my hands, yet I do not forget Your law.
- Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
- Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.
- Proverbs 16:8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.