Bible Strands
Psalms 119:61
Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God during a period of urgent obedience, positioned between a vow to hurry without hesitation and a practice of rising at midnight to give thanks.
The words — חֶבְלֵי (chev.Lei) denotes [the] ropes, and שָׁכָֽחְתִּי (sha.Kha.che.ti) means I have forgotten. These terms anchor the contrast between external restraint and internal retention.
The thread — The theme of retaining divine instruction under pressure recurs in Psalms 119:176, while the imagery of ambush aligns with the condemned priests in Hosea 6:9. The directive to pursue what is right rather than retaliate connects to Romans 12:17.
Why it lands — The text demands steadfast retention of instruction when external pressures attempt to restrict movement or force compliance. The reader must maintain obedience regardless of surrounding threats.
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
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Cross-references
- Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Psalms 119:176 I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
- Hosea 6:9 Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.
- 1 Samuel 26:9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?”
- Job 1:17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
- Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- Psalms 119:95 The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.
- Psalms 140:5 The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah
- Proverbs 24:29 Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”
- 1 Samuel 24:9 and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?