Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn 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.
- BSB Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned 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, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
- Ps 119:51The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.
- Job 23:11My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned aside.
- Acts 20:23–24except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
- Isa 42:4He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands will wait for his law.”
- Job 17:9Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.
- Acts 4:27“For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
- Matt 24:9Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake.
- Ps 56:2My enemies want to swallow me up all day long, for they are many who fight proudly against me.
- Ps 25:19Consider my enemies, for they are many. They hate me with cruel hatred.
- Ps 118:10–12All the nations surrounded me, but in Yahweh’s name, I cut them off.
- Ps 22:12Many bulls have surrounded me. Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
- Ps 22:16For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet.
- Ps 3:1–2A Psalm by David, when he fled from Absalom his son. Yahweh, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me.
- Ps 7:1A meditation by David, which he sang to Yahweh, concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite. Yahweh, my God, I take refuge in you. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me,
- Ps 119:110The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.
- Ps 44:17All this has come on us, yet have we not forgotten you, Neither have we been false to your covenant.
- Matt 26:47While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, 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
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.