Psalms 119:87
They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֭מְעַט
They had almost
H4592
כִּ֭מְעַט
They had almost
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
1 of 7
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
כִּלּ֣וּנִי
consumed
H3615
כִּלּ֣וּנִי
consumed
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
2 of 7
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Matthew 10:28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.Psalms 119:61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.1 Samuel 26:24And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
Historical Context
The Maccabean period witnessed martyrs who died rather than forsake Torah (2 Maccabees 6-7). Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for faithfulness 'unto death' (Revelation 2:10). The Kaph stanza depicts a believer at death's threshold yet maintaining covenant loyalty—anticipating the 'great cloud of witnesses' who endured similarly (Hebrews 11:35-38).
Questions for Reflection
- What would it take for you to forsake God's Word—and what does your answer reveal about your foundation?
- How do you prepare spiritually for potential persecution that could threaten your physical life?
- When 'almost consumed,' what practices or truths anchor you to God's precepts?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They had almost consumed me upon earth (כִּמְעַט כִּלּוּנִי בָאָרֶץ)—kim'at (almost) reveals how close destruction came; killuni (they consumed/finished me) from kalah (to complete, destroy) shows total threat. Ba'aretz (on earth) emphasizes mortality's vulnerability. But I forsook not thy precepts (וַאֲנִי לֹא־עָזַבְתִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ) pivots dramatically: va'ani (but I) contrasts their action with his; lo azavti (I did not forsake) from azav (abandon, leave) shows tenacious loyalty to God's pikudim (precepts).
This models Jesus who, though brought to the point of death, never abandoned the Father's will (Luke 22:42). Paul testified: 'Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed' (2 Corinthians 4:9). The difference between martyrdom and apostasy often comes down to this: did they forsake God's precepts when tested unto death?