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Psalm 119:121
I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
119You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
121I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
122Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
123My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
Notice
“Don’t leave me” follows a claim of just conduct, exposing the hard truth that doing right can still leave a person vulnerable to oppression.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
When has doing what was just and right left you exposed to someone else’s power?
Write on thisWhat would you want to tell God before asking, “Don’t leave me to my oppressors”?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 19:8The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.Both concern what is right: Psalm 19 describes God’s precepts, while Psalm 119 describes the speaker’s conduct.
2 Samuel 8:15David reigned over all Israel; and David executed justice and righteousness for all his people.Justice and righteousness describe David’s rule for his people and the conduct claimed by the speaker in the psalm.
Psalm 18:20–24The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me.Both speakers describe their own righteous conduct in relation to God’s help, one requesting protection and the other recounting reward.
Psalm 27:9Don’t hide your face from me. Don’t put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don’t abandon me, neither forsake me, God of my salvation.Both prayers ask God not to abandon his servant, expressing dependence on his help.
Psalm 37:33The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.Psalm 119 asks God not to leave the speaker to oppressors; Psalm 37 declares that God will not abandon someone to another’s power.
2 Corinthians 1:12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved …Both passages speak with confidence about upright conduct; Paul attributes his conduct to God’s grace.
Acts 25:10–11But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.Both speakers defend their conduct while facing others’ accusations or oppression, with Paul stating that he has done no wrong.
Acts 21:16Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.The connection is limited: Acts describes hospitality among disciples, while the psalm asks God for protection from oppressors.
1 Samuel 24:11–15Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe and didn’t kill you, know and see that …Both speakers maintain that they have acted without wrongdoing while facing someone who threatens them.
2 Peter 2:9then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,Both concern God’s help for those who do right: the psalm requests protection, and Peter affirms the Lord’s knowledge of deliverance.
1 Samuel 25:28Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights the LORD’s battles. Evil will not be …Both passages connect upright conduct with an appeal for God’s care, though Abigail speaks about David and the psalmist speaks about himself.
Where this verse fits
Injustice and anger. work conflict. fear for the future.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Doing right does not make your need for protection a failure of faith. Here, a person who has acted with justice still asks God for help.
Now put it in your words.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).