Psalm 119:161
New International Version
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.

New Living Translation
Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.

English Standard Version
Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

Berean Standard Bible
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.

King James Bible
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

New King James Version
Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word.

New American Standard Bible
Rulers persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

NASB 1995
Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

NASB 1977
Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Thy words.

Legacy Standard Bible
Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart is in dread of Your words.

Amplified Bible
Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].

Christian Standard Bible
Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only your word.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.

American Standard Version
?? SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.

Contemporary English Version
Rulers are cruel to me for no reason. But with all my heart I respect your words,

English Revised Version
SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy words.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Influential people have persecuted me for no reason, but it is only your words that fill my heart with terror.

Good News Translation
Powerful people attack me unjustly, but I respect your law.

International Standard Version
Though nobles persecute me for no reason, my heart stands in awe of your words.

Majority Standard Bible
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.

NET Bible
Rulers pursue me for no reason, yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions.

New Heart English Bible
SIN and SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

Webster's Bible Translation
SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

World English Bible
SIN AND SHIN Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
[SHIN] Princes have pursued me without cause, "" And my heart was afraid because of Your words.

Young's Literal Translation
Shin. Princes have pursued me without cause, And because of Thy words was my heart afraid.

Smith's Literal Translation
Chiefs pursued me gratuitously: and my heart was afraid from thy words.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
[SIN] Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
SIN. The leaders have persecuted me without cause. And my heart has been awed by your words.

New American Bible
Princes persecute me without reason, but my heart reveres only your word.

New Revised Standard Version
Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
SHEEN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart stands in awe of thy word.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Shin Princes pursue me for nothing and my heart is in awe of your word.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Princes persecuted me without a cause, but my heart feared because of thy words.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
160The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever. 161Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word. 162I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.…

Cross References
John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Acts 5:41
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Romans 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

1 John 3:13
So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

Hebrews 11:36-38
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. / They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated. / The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

Jeremiah 20:2
he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

1 Kings 22:8
The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

1 Samuel 24:11-12
See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see 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. / May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you.

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”


Treasury of Scripture

Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of your word.

princes

Psalm 119:23,157
Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes…

1 Samuel 24:9-14
And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt? …

1 Samuel 26:18
And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?

my heart

Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Genesis 39:9
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Genesis 42:18
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

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Psalm 119
1. This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
2. Aleph.
9. Beth
17. Gimel
25. Daleth
33. He
41. Waw
49. Zayin
57. Heth
65. Teth
73. Yodh
81. Kaph
89. Lamedh
97. Mem
105. Nun
113. Samekh
121. Ayin
129. Pe
137. Tsadhe
145. Qoph
153. Resh
161. Sin and Shin
169. Taw














Rulers persecute me without cause
This phrase reflects the experience of unjust persecution, a common theme in the Psalms. Historically, rulers often held significant power and could act with impunity, making the psalmist's plight relatable to many believers who face oppression. The phrase echoes the experiences of biblical figures like David, who was pursued by King Saul without just cause (1 Samuel 19:1-2). It also foreshadows the persecution of Jesus Christ, who was condemned by the rulers of His time despite His innocence (John 19:4-6). The psalmist's situation can be seen as a type of Christ's own suffering, highlighting the reality of unjust suffering for the righteous.

but my heart fears only Your word
In contrast to fearing human authority, the psalmist expresses reverence for God's word. This reflects a deep trust and respect for divine authority over human power. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. The psalmist's commitment to God's word aligns with the biblical principle found in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." This reverence for God's word is a recurring theme in Psalm 119, emphasizing the importance of Scripture as a guide and source of strength. The psalmist's focus on God's word over human threats underscores a faith that transcends earthly circumstances, encouraging believers to prioritize divine truth in their lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Princes
These are likely rulers or leaders who have authority and power. In the context of this verse, they represent those who unjustly persecute the psalmist.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is the one expressing his devotion to God's word despite persecution.

3. Persecution
The act of being oppressed or harassed, especially because of one's beliefs. Here, it is done "without cause," indicating the innocence of the psalmist.

4. God's Word
Refers to the Scriptures or divine commandments that the psalmist holds in reverence and fear.

5. Heart
In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect.
Teaching Points
Perseverance in Persecution
Believers may face unjust persecution, but they are called to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God's word.

Reverence for Scripture
The psalmist's fear of God's word highlights the importance of holding Scripture in high regard, allowing it to guide and comfort us.

Innocence in Suffering
Suffering without cause can be a part of the Christian experience, but it should lead us to deeper reliance on God.

Heart's Response to Trials
Our response to trials should be rooted in a heart that fears and respects God's word, leading to peace and assurance.

Role of Authority
Earthly authorities may misuse their power, but ultimate authority belongs to God, whose word is just and true.SCHIN.

(161) Princes.--Here again we have an indication of the national character of the psalm. It was the whole community which suffered from the intrigues and violence of princes.

Verse 161. - Princes have persecuted me without a cause. The "princes" may be either foreign or native; but from ver. 23 it would rather appear that native princes are intended. But my heart standeth in awe of thy Word. Yet I do not fear them, or heed what they say. Of nothing do I stand in awe, except "thy Word."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Rulers
שָׂ֭רִים (rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

persecute me
רְדָפ֣וּנִי (rə·ḏā·p̄ū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

without cause,
חִנָּ֑ם (ḥin·nām)
Adverb
Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage

but my heart
לִבִּֽי׃ (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

fears only
פָּחַ֥ד (pā·ḥaḏ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6342: To dread, be in dread or in awe

Your word.
וּ֝מִדְּבָרְךָ֗ (ū·mid·də·ḇā·rə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Poetry: Psalm 119:161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 119:160
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