Bible Strands
Psalms 119:39
Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, pleading for relief from anticipated shame while standing in a sequence of commitments to divine instruction. The speaker positions himself as a servant seeking to maintain reverence through obedience to God's commands.
The words — The Hebrew verb הַעֲבֵ֣ר (ha.'a.Ver) literally means "take away" or "turn away," paired with חֶ֭רְפָּתִי (Cherpa.ti), meaning "my reproach" or "disgrace." These terms frame the plea as a direct request for divine removal of a feared social or spiritual stigma.
The thread — This theme of removing reproach appears in the immediate context of Psalms 119:22, where the psalmist asks God to remove scorn and contempt because he has kept God's testimonies. The concept of avoiding disgrace for the sake of testimony also echoes in the New Testament instructions for church leaders in 1 Timothy 3:7 and for wholesome conduct in Titus 2:8.
Why it lands — The verse demands that readers align their fear of shame with their trust in God's moral standards rather than human opinion. It requires a conscious choice to accept divine correction and reputation over worldly contempt while pursuing obedience.
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
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
Cross-references
- Psalms 119:22 Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.
- 1 Timothy 3:7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- Titus 2:8 and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
- Psalms 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of fools.
- 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.
- Romans 2:2 And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
- Revelation 19:2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”
- Deuteronomy 4:8 And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
- 2 Samuel 12:14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have shown utter contempt for the word of the LORD, the son born to you will surely die.”
- Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.