AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

PSALMS 119:121KJV
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Psalms 119:121 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:121 mean?

Psalms 119:121 is a plea from the psalmist, who says he has acted with fairness and righteousness and asks God not to abandon him to those who would harm or oppress him. The verse expresses both a statement of integrity and a request for God’s protection from unjust treatment.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be the psalmist, likely David, addressing God in prayer. The context is a long meditation on God’s law, where the writer often describes his commitment to doing what is right even when facing opposition. Here, the psalmist points to his own actions—doing “judgment and justice”—as the basis for asking God not to leave him vulnerable to oppressors.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:121

  • “done” (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word means to do, make, or accomplish. The psalmist is not just claiming good intentions but actual deeds of justice.
  • “judgment” (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word often refers to decisions or actions that are fair and lawful. The psalmist is highlighting his commitment to making fair decisions.
  • “justice” (צֶדֶק, tsedeq): This word means righteousness or doing what is morally right. It emphasizes the ethical side of the psalmist’s actions.
  • “leave” (נָטַשׁ, natash): This word carries the sense of abandoning or forsaking. The psalmist is asking God not to leave him defenseless.
  • “oppressors” (עָשַׁק, ashaq): This word refers to those who exploit or mistreat others, often by force or injustice. The psalmist’s concern is about being left to the mercy of such people.

Why Psalms 119:121 matters

  • Psalms 119:121 clarifies that the psalmist’s request for help is rooted in his own efforts to live justly, not just a general plea for rescue.
  • The verse highlights the theme of justice and righteousness as central to a faithful life, connecting personal integrity with a sense of dependence on God.
  • This verse fits into the larger structure of Psalm 119, where the writer repeatedly links obedience to God’s law with appeals for God’s protection and favor.

Where else these words appear

“oppressors” Hebrew H6231 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
  • Isaiah 52:4 For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

“leave” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

“justice” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.