Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies.
Parallel translations
- WEB Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
- KJV Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
- NKJV Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
- NASB Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
- NLT Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.
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
Though his persecutors are many, he has not swerved from God's testimonies. Faithfulness can stand firm against widespread opposition.
Overview
The psalmist acknowledges numerous adversaries yet declares his steadfastness, refusing to turn from God's Word. Loyalty to God is tested not by ease but by pressure, and here it holds. Such perseverance points to Christ, who endured far greater hostility without ever swerving from the Father's will.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Ps 119:51The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.
- Job 23:11My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept His way without turning aside.
- Acts 20:23–24I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
- Isa 42:4He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”
- Job 17:9Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
- Acts 4:27In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
- Matt 24:9Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
- Ps 56:2My enemies pursue me all day long, for many proudly assail me.
- Ps 25:19Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with vicious hatred.
- Ps 118:10–12All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
- Ps 22:12Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
- Ps 22:16For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.
- Ps 3:1–2A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- Ps 7:1A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,
- Ps 119:110The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
- Ps 44:17All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant.
- Matt 26:47While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 119:157 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.