Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
Parallel translations
- WEB Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
- BSB Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your 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 brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
- Ps 119:51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
- Job 23:11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
- Acts 20:23–24Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
- Isa 42:4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
- Job 17:9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
- Acts 4:27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
- Matt 24:9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
- Ps 56:2Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
- Ps 25:19Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
- Ps 118:10–12All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
- Ps 22:12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
- Ps 22:16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
- Ps 3:1–2Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
- Ps 7:1O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
- Ps 119:110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
- Ps 44:17All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
- Matt 26:47And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
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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
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