Psalms 119:86
All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ
All thy commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתֶ֥יךָ
All thy commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
2 of 6
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
אֱמוּנָ֑ה
are faithful
H530
אֱמוּנָ֑ה
are faithful
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
3 of 6
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
שֶׁ֖קֶר
me wrongfully
H8267
שֶׁ֖קֶר
me wrongfully
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
4 of 6
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
Cross References
Psalms 109:26Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:Psalms 70:5But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.Psalms 35:19Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause.Psalms 119:128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.Psalms 119:138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.Psalms 119:151Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.Psalms 119:78Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.Psalms 35:7For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.Romans 7:12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.Psalms 119:142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Historical Context
Throughout redemptive history, God's faithful servants faced wrongful persecution: Joseph, David, the prophets, Jesus, the apostles. The Hebrew concept of emunah (faithfulness) encompasses reliability, steadfastness, and truth. God's commandments share His character—they can be trusted even when obedience brings suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How have you experienced God's commandments proving faithful even when obedience led to persecution?
- What does it reveal about God's Word that following it sometimes attracts wrongful opposition?
- In what ways can you cry 'Help me!' to God while continuing to obey His faithful commandments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All thy commandments are faithful (כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶיךָ אֱמוּנָה)—every single mitzvah (commandment) possesses emunah (faithfulness/reliability). God's commands aren't arbitrary impositions but reliable guides proven trustworthy through testing. They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me (שֶׁקֶר רְדָפוּנִי עָזְרֵנִי)—sheker (falsehood/wrongfully) modifies redaphuni (they persecute me); the opposition is unjust. Ozreni (help me) pleads for divine intervention.
Jesus experienced this: persecuted wrongfully (John 15:25), yet the Father's commandments remained utterly faithful. Peter echoes: 'If ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye' (1 Peter 3:14). Unjust persecution validates rather than invalidates God's Word—the faithful commands attract opposition from those who oppose faithfulness.