The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Parallel translations
- WEB The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
- BSB Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.
- NKJV The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.
- NASB The snares of the wicked have surrounded me, But I have not forgotten Your Law.
- NLT Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
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 the cords of the wicked ensnare him, the psalmist does not forget God's law. It matters because faithfulness to Scripture endures even when surrounded by hostile forces.
Overview
The wicked attempt to bind and entangle the psalmist, yet he refuses to forget God's law. Their schemes cannot pull his mind from the word. This steadfastness amid opposition points to Christ, who remained faithful under the assaults of evil and keeps His people from being ensnared.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Rom 12:17–21Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- Ps 119:176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
- Hos 6:9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
- Prov 24:29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
- Ps 140:5The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.
- 1 Sam 26:9–11And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?
- Ps 119:95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
- Job 1:17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
- Ps 3:1Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
- 1 Sam 30:3–5So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
- 1 Sam 24:9–11And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 119:61 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.