Psalm 119:53
ESV
Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.
NIV
Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
NASB
Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, Who abandon Your Law.
CSB
Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction.
NLT
I become furious with the wicked, because they reject your instructions.
KJV
Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
NKJV
Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
What does Psalm 119:53 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 119; verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 119:49–56 begins each verse with the Hebrew letter zayin. Hardships and opposition inspire the psalmist to call on God for rescue. The writer's trust is in God, because of a commitment to learning His commands. Despite being mocked and persecuted for faith, the psalmist sees himself blessed by God because of Scripture.
This song is composed of twenty-two stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each line in the stanza is an individual verse and each begins with the corresponding letter. The psalmist emphasizes study of God's Word in a variety of circumstances, including persecution, sadness, and rescue. Benefits of taking in the Word include a moral life, joy, wisdom, hope, peace, strength, and freedom. Those who interact with the Word of the Lord should respond with delight, careful study, and obedience.
