Psalms 119:115
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Original Language Analysis
מִמֶּ֥נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֥נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
מְרֵעִ֑ים
from me ye evildoers
H7489
מְרֵעִ֑ים
from me ye evildoers
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה
for I will keep
H5341
וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה
for I will keep
Strong's:
H5341
Word #:
4 of 6
to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.Psalms 6:8Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.Matthew 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Psalms 26:5I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.Psalms 139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.Psalms 119:106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.Psalms 26:9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Historical Context
In Israel's history, compromise with ungodly neighbors led to apostasy (Judges, 1-2 Kings). Ezra and Nehemiah's reforms required radical separation from pagan influences. For persecuted believers, choosing God's commands over peer pressure from evildoers was costly but necessary.
Questions for Reflection
- What relationships or influences need to 'depart' from your life to protect your obedience to God?
- How do you balance Jesus's call to reach sinners with the psalmist's command for separation from evildoers?
- In what situations does keeping God's commandments require you to expel corrupting influences?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Depart from me, ye evildoers (סוּרוּ־מִמֶּנִּי מְרֵעִים, suru-mimmenni mere'im)—a command for immediate separation. The verb sur means turn aside, depart, remove. This echoes Jesus's eschatological judgment: Depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt 7:23, 25:41). The psalmist exercises spiritual authority to expel corrupting influences from his presence.
The reason: for I will keep the commandments of my God (וְאֶצְּרָה מִצְוֹת אֱלֹהָי, ve'etzrah mitzvot elohai). The verb natsar means guard, watch over, preserve—vigilant protection. Keeping God's commands requires separation from those who undermine obedience. Paul commands: From such turn away (2 Tim 3:5). Nehemiah physically expelled Tobiah from the temple (Neh 13:8). This is not pharisaical exclusivism but spiritual self-preservation—you cannot keep God's commandments while embracing evildoers who mock them.