Psalms 119:161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
Original Language Analysis
רְדָפ֣וּנִי
have persecuted
H7291
רְדָפ֣וּנִי
have persecuted
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
2 of 6
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
חִנָּ֑ם
me without a cause
H2600
חִנָּ֑ם
me without a cause
Strong's:
H2600
Word #:
3 of 6
gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage
וּ֝מִדְּבָרְיךָ֗
of thy word
H1697
וּ֝מִדְּבָרְיךָ֗
of thy word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 6
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
1 Samuel 26:18And he said, Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand?Psalms 119:23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.Psalms 119:157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.Isaiah 66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.Psalms 4:4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.Job 31:23For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.John 15:25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Historical Context
This verse reflects the prophetic experience—Jeremiah imprisoned by princes (Jeremiah 38:4-6), Elijah fleeing Jezebel's royal decree (1 Kings 19:2), Daniel and friends facing Babylonian edicts (Daniel 3, 6). The early church faced similar persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities (Acts 4:1-22, 12:1-4).
Questions for Reflection
- How does cultivating awe of God's Word enable you to withstand fear of human authority?
- What does it mean practically for your heart to 'stand in awe' of Scripture when facing unjust opposition?
- How did Jesus's perfect fear of God's Word manifest during His trials before religious and political authorities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Princes have persecuted me without a cause (שָׂרִים רְדָפוּנִי חִנָּם, sarim redafuni chinnam)—The Shin (ש) section begins with governmental persecution. Sarim are rulers, officials, magistrates; chinnam means 'gratuitously, undeservedly, gratis.' Yet: my heart standeth in awe of thy word (וּמִדְּבָרְךָ פָּחַד לִבִּי, umid'varekha pachad libi). Pachad is reverential fear, dread, awe. The heart fears God's word more than princes' power.
Jesus quotes the first part in John 15:25: 'They hated me without a cause' (dorean, Greek equivalent of chinnam). The Suffering Servant experiences causeless hatred but maintains perfect reverence for the Father's word.