What is the meaning of Psalm 119:118?

You reject

• The psalmist addresses God directly, acknowledging His personal involvement with human choices (Psalm 34:16; John 15:6).

• “Reject” is literal: the holy Judge does not overlook rebellion (Psalm 1:4-6).

• This rejection is not arbitrary; it flows from God’s unchanging righteousness (Psalm 119:142; Hebrews 12:29).

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all who stray from Your statutes

• “Stray” pictures leaving a clearly marked path—God’s revealed commands (Deuteronomy 5:32-33; Proverbs 4:26-27).

• The danger is universal: anyone, regardless of background, who steps off that path faces the same outcome (Psalm 119:21; James 1:22-24).

• Obedience brings safety and blessing (Joshua 1:8); straying invites separation (Isaiah 59:2).

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for their deceitfulness is in vain.

• Those who wander persuade themselves that alternative roads will prosper them, but self-deception collapses before God’s truth (Jeremiah 17:9; Galatians 6:7).

• “In vain” underscores utter futility—every scheme opposed to Scripture is destined to fail (Proverbs 14:12; 1 Corinthians 3:19-20).

• God’s verdict exposes and nullifies deceit; only truth endures (Psalm 12:3-7; 1 Peter 1:24-25).

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summary

Psalm 119:118 declares that God literally rejects everyone who departs from His Word because all human scheming against His statutes is empty and doomed. The verse warns us to stay on the path of obedience and trust the unshakable sufficiency of Scripture.