I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
Parallel translations
- WEB I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
- KJV I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
- NKJV I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
- NASB ¶I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
- NLT Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Having done justice and righteousness, he asks not to be left to his oppressors. He appeals to God on the basis of his upright conduct.
Overview
Opening the AYIN stanza, the psalmist points to his just and righteous conduct as he pleads not to be abandoned to those who oppress him. This is not a claim of sinless merit but an appeal that God would defend one who has sought to do right. Such commitment of a righteous cause to God is perfectly seen in Christ, who entrusted Himself to the just Judge (1 Pet. 2:23; Ps. 26:1).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Ps 18:20–24The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness; He has repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands.
- 2 Sam 8:15Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people:
- 2 Cor 1:12And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
- Ps 37:33the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.
- Ps 7:3–5O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
- Ps 75:2“When I choose a time, I will judge fairly.
- Acts 25:10–11Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
- Acts 21:16Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to stay at the home of Mnason the Cypriot, an early disciple.
- Ps 57:3–4He reaches down from heaven and saves me; He rebukes those who trample me. Selah God sends forth His loving devotion and His truth.
- 1 Sam 25:28Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.
- 2 Pet 2:9if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
- 1 Sam 24:11–15See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 119:121 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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