I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

PSALMS 119:158KJV
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Psalms 119:158 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:158 mean?

Psalms 119:158 describes the psalmist seeing people who break God's commands and feeling deeply troubled because they do not follow God's word. The verse highlights the psalmist's sorrow over others' disregard for what God has said.

In this verse, the writer (traditionally understood as David, though not named) is speaking to God about his emotional response to witnessing "transgressors"—people who ignore or violate God's instructions. The situation is one of personal grief, not anger, showing the psalmist's strong attachment to God's word and his sadness when others do not share that respect.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:158

  • "beheld" (רָאָה, ra'ah): This word means to see or look upon. Here, it suggests not just a casual glance but a careful noticing of those who do wrong.
  • "transgressors" (בּוֹגְדִים, bogedim): This term refers to people who act unfaithfully or betray trust, often used for those who deliberately turn away from what is right.
  • "grieved" (קוּט, kut): This word carries the sense of being disgusted, distressed, or pained. The psalmist is not just sad but deeply troubled by what he sees.
  • "kept" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This means to guard, observe, or pay close attention to. The verse points out that the transgressors are not guarding or living by God's word.
  • "word" (אֵמֶר, emer): This refers to God's spoken or commanded word, emphasizing the importance of what God has said.

Why Psalms 119:158 matters

  • Psalms 119:158 clarifies that the psalmist's grief is not personal offense but sorrow over others' disregard for God's word, highlighting a heart that values God's instructions deeply.
  • The verse shows that the psalmist is attentive to the behavior of others, not in judgment but in genuine distress, which adds emotional depth to the long meditation on God's law in Psalm 119.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme of Psalm 119, where love for God's word is shown not only in personal obedience but also in emotional response to how others treat it.