Psalms 119:61
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
Original Language Analysis
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
of the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 6
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
עִוְּדֻ֑נִי
have robbed
H5749
עִוְּדֻ֑נִי
have robbed
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
3 of 6
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
תּֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗
thy law
H8451
תּֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗
thy law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
4 of 6
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
Cross References
Psalms 119:176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.Hosea 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.Psalms 119:95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.Psalms 3:1LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.Psalms 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.Proverbs 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.
Historical Context
God's people frequently suffered material plundering—Egypt's oppression, Philistine raids, Babylonian conquest stripped Israel of wealth and land. Yet the faithful maintained covenant loyalty despite loss. Job exemplifies this: 'The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD' (Job 1:21). Early Christians also faced property confiscation (Hebrews 10:34) yet 'joyfully accepted' loss, knowing they had 'better and enduring possessions.'
Questions for Reflection
- Has material loss or injustice ever caused you to compromise spiritual convictions, or has it strengthened them?
- How can believers maintain focus on God's law (eternal treasure) when earthly treasures are stolen or threatened?
- What does your reaction to financial loss or unfair treatment reveal about where you've truly stored your treasure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. The phrase bands of the wicked (חֶבְלֵי רְשָׁעִים, chevlei resha'im) literally means 'cords' or 'snares'—enemies conspiring together to entrap and plunder the righteous. The verb robbed (עִוְּדֻנִי, ivveduni) implies violent theft and oppression, possibly referencing persecution or economic exploitation.
But I have not forgotten thy law—the adversative but (וְ, ve) marks the contrast between external suffering and internal faithfulness. Forgotten (שָׁכַח, shakhach) means more than memory lapse—it implies neglecting covenant obligations. Despite material loss, the psalmist's spiritual treasure remains intact. This echoes Job's faithfulness despite catastrophic loss and anticipates Jesus's teaching that thieves steal earthly treasures but cannot touch heavenly ones (Matthew 6:19-20).