All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

PSALMS 119:86KJV
Know the Bible

Psalms 119:86 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:86 mean?

Psalms 119:86 says that all of God’s commandments can be trusted, even though the writer is being wrongly attacked by others and is asking God for help. The verse highlights the contrast between the reliability of God’s words and the unfair treatment the writer is experiencing.

The speaker here is the psalmist, likely expressing his devotion to God’s teachings while facing false accusations or persecution. He affirms that every commandment from God is “faithful,” meaning dependable and true, and pleads for God’s assistance because he is being pursued without cause. This verse sits within a long psalm focused on the value of God’s laws, showing the psalmist’s trust in God even during hardship.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:86

  • "Commandments" (מִצְוָה, mitzvah): This word refers to God’s instructions or orders, emphasizing that every one of them is trustworthy, not just some.
  • "Faithful" (אֱמוּנָה, emunah): This word often means reliable, steady, or trustworthy. The psalmist is stressing that God’s commands never fail, even when people do.
  • "Persecute" (רָדַף, radaf): This word means to pursue or chase, often with hostile intent. The psalmist feels hunted or harassed by others.
  • "Wrongfully" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means falsely or without truth. The psalmist’s suffering is undeserved, based on lies or injustice.
  • "Help" (עָזַר, azar): This is a plea for support or rescue, showing the psalmist’s dependence on God when facing unfair treatment.

Why Psalms 119:86 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that God’s commandments are unreliable or inconsistent; the psalmist insists they are all trustworthy, even when life feels unfair.
  • The verse highlights the psalmist’s experience of injustice, making it clear that faith in God’s words does not guarantee an easy life, but does offer a foundation to ask for help.
  • Within the larger context of Psalm 119, this verse shows how the psalmist’s trust in God’s instructions remains steady even when others treat him wrongly, reinforcing the central theme of loyalty to God’s word.

Where else these words appear

“faithful” Hebrew H530 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
  • Psalms 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
  • Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

“help” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 19:2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.
  • Psalms 86:17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

“wrongfully” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.

“persecute” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
  • Psalms 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.