Bible Strands
Psalms 119:69
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God directly, describing a present moment of persecution by arrogant opponents while affirming personal fidelity to divine instruction.
The words — The Hebrew verb טָפְלוּ (ta.felu) literally means "they have smeared," paired with שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, "falsehood") to depict the false accusations hurled at the speaker.
The thread — This pattern of false accusation against the righteous appears in Job 13:4, Psalm 109:2, and Matthew 5:11.
Why it lands — The text states that external slander does not nullify internal obedience, requiring the reader to maintain unwavering adherence to divine commands regardless of external falsehood.
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 proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Cross-references
- Job 13:4 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- Psalms 109:2 For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.
- Psalms 119:157 Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies.
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
- Psalms 119:51 The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.
- Psalms 119:58 I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
- Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
- Acts 24:13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.