Bible Strands
Psalms 119:23
Though rulers sit and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God, describing a moment when political officials convene to speak against him. This declaration follows a plea for removal of scorn and precedes a statement that God's testimonies serve as his delight and counselors.
The words — The Hebrew nidbaru (H1696) literally means "they speak together," denoting the coordinated speech of the officials. Yasiach (H7878) translates to "he meditates," describing the psalmist's deliberate focus on God's statutes.
The thread — This dynamic of leaders opposing a faithful figure appears in Psalms 2:1, where nations and peoples plot in vain, and in Luke 23:10, where chief priests and scribes stand to accuse Jesus. The pattern of official scrutiny met with steadfast devotion recurs in these passages.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to choose between retaliating against coordinated opposition or maintaining disciplined reflection on divine instruction. It asks the reader to anchor attention on God's decrees when facing political hostility.
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
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Cross-references
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- 1 Samuel 22:7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds?
- Luke 23:10 Meanwhile, the chief priests and scribes stood there, vehemently accusing Him.
- 1 Samuel 20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!”
- Luke 22:66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,
- Luke 23:1 Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate.