Psalms 119:69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Original Language Analysis
טָפְל֬וּ
have forged
H2950
טָפְל֬וּ
have forged
Strong's:
H2950
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to stick on as a patch; figuratively, to impute falsely
עָלַ֣י
H5921
עָלַ֣י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵ֤ב׀
with my whole heart
H3820
לֵ֤ב׀
with my whole heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
7 of 9
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Job 13:4But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.Psalms 119:157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.Acts 24:13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.Acts 24:5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:Psalms 119:34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.James 1:8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.Psalms 119:58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.Psalms 35:11False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.Psalms 119:51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
Historical Context
Slander was a common weapon against the faithful—Joseph falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, Jeremiah charged with treason, Jesus accused of blasphemy, Paul charged with disturbing the peace. The ninth commandment prohibited false witness (Exodus 20:16), recognizing words' power to destroy. The early church faced widespread slander—accused of atheism (rejecting pagan gods), cannibalism (misunderstanding the Lord's Supper), and sedition (confessing Christ as Lord).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when falsely accused—with bitterness, retaliation, compromise, or with wholehearted faithfulness to God?
- What does it mean practically to 'keep precepts with whole heart' specifically when your reputation is attacked?
- How can Christ's example of enduring false witness without retaliation strengthen believers facing slander today?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. The verb forged (טָפְלוּ, tafelu) means 'smeared' or 'plastered'—implying deliberate fabrication and persistent slander. The proud (זֵדִים, zedim) are arrogant rebels against God (see v. 51) who attack His servants through a lie (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer)—false accusation meant to destroy reputation.
But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart—the adversative but marks defiant faithfulness despite slander. With my whole heart (בְּכָל־לֵב, bekhol-lev) emphasizes undivided devotion, refusing to let false accusations produce bitterness or compromise. This foreshadows Christ, who suffered false testimony (Matthew 26:59-60) yet remained faithful. Peter exhorts believers similarly: let persecution come for righteousness, not actual wrongdoing (1 Peter 3:13-17).