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Psalm 119:23

Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

21You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALETH
25My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
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← Psalm 119:22Psalm 119:24 →
Notice

Princes have the power to damage a name, yet the servant’s resolve to meditate on God’s statutes shows that their words need not command his attention.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

Whose words about you are hardest to set aside when you turn to Scripture?

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What changes when you describe yourself as God’s servant while facing someone else’s judgment?

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How does the plea for relief in verse 22 shape your reading of this resolve to meditate?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

10 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 2:1–2Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?Both passages describe hostile human speech or plotting, though Psalm 2 speaks of nations and Psalm 119 of princes.
Psalm 119:78Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.Both verses pair wrongful treatment with the servant’s resolve to meditate on God’s instruction.
Psalm 119:15I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.Both verses express a deliberate commitment to meditate on God’s instruction; verse 23 names slander as the surrounding pressure.
Psalm 119:161Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.Both verses describe hostility from princes while the speaker remains attentive to God’s words.
1 Samuel 22:7–13Saul said to his servants who stood around him, “Hear now, you Benjamites! Will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you …Both scenes involve people under royal authority, though Saul’s speech concerns rewards and the psalm concerns slander.
Luke 23:10–11The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.Both passages depict accusations from people with authority, directed against the psalm’s servant and against Jesus.
Isaiah 38:12My dwelling is removed, and is carried away from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver. He will cut me off from the loom. From day …Both speakers address God amid distress, though Isaiah describes life being cut short and the psalm describes slander.
1 Timothy 4:15Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.Both texts emphasize sustained attention: the psalm names meditation on statutes, while Timothy is urged to give himself to his tasks.
1 Samuel 20:31For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, you will not be established, nor will your kingdom. Therefore now send and bring him to me, for he shall …Both passages show hostility from royal authority, though Saul demands David’s death while the psalm names slander.
Luke 22:66As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their …Both scenes place a person before the attention of leaders, though Luke’s supplied verse describes a council rather than slander.
Where this verse fits

Work conflict. injustice and anger. church hurt.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Spend five minutes rereading Psalm 119:22–24

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Encouragement

The servant asks for contempt to be taken away, then meditates while it remains. You need not pretend slander is harmless. God’s statutes still carry authority when princes speak against you.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 119:23. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

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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).