Psalms 119:118You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
The setting
Ancient Israel, during the monarchy. A devout worshiper reflects on God's perfect justice in Jerusalem's temple courts, modern-day Israel...
The emotion here: righteous anger mixed with sadness over others' choices
The original word
sālāh (סָלָה) — to reject completely, to treat as worthless refuse
Why it matters
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem with 176 verses, each section beginning with a Hebrew letter
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 119:118
This is part of the AYIN section - the psalmist is systematically working through the Hebrew alphabet
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about God being harsh, but the Hebrew shows these people reject THEMSELVES by straying - God simply acknowledges their choice.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 119:118
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 119:118 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 119:118 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine judgment, righteousness, futility of sin. Notable phrases: you reject; stray from your statutes; deceit is in vain. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same worship
“Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
— John 14:6
“Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."”
— John 8:58
Your reflection
What does Psalms 119:118 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "worship"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.