Psalm 119 has a lot in it for survivors of abuse

Here are some gems from Psalm 119  (ESV) —

(53) Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.

(69-70) The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.

(78) Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

(84-88) How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

(94-95) I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.

(104) Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

(113) I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.

(118-119) You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.

(129-130) Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.

(133) Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

(150-151) They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.

(155) Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.

(158) I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.

[May 25, 2023: Editors’ notes:

—For some comments made prior to May 25, 2023 that quoted from the post, the text in the comment that was quoted from the post might no longer be an exact match.
—For some comments made prior to May 25, 2023 that quoted from the post, the text in the comment that was quoted from the post might no longer be found in the post.
If you would like to compare the text in the comments made prior to May 25, 2023 that quoted from the post to the post as it is now (May 25, 2023), click here [Internet Archive link] for the most recent Internet Archive copy of the post.]

6 thoughts on “Psalm 119 has a lot in it for survivors of abuse”

  1. Two, 2-word, cries or screams, “help me” and “save me”. Only God knows how many times God has heard those cries / screams. God’s timing is not my timing, but through the willingness of people and moving of events, God has helped me, God has saved me. I now live in freedom. I love what “freedom” looks and smells and feels like. Still, it is a daily choice, to stand firm in who I am discovering myself to be. And still, God continues to help and save me. But I don’t scream in desperation, and plead for help because I think I’ll lose my mind, anymore.

  2. Hear, Hear, where is my Gavel? These are great words with much power. I love them all.

    [Psalm 119:69-70 ESV] The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
    their heart is unfeeling like fat, (seared conscience)
    but I delight in your law. [The words in parentheses were added by the commenter.]

    [Psalm 119:78 ESV] Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

    The “shame” belongs on the evildoer.
    Amen. Thank you for this.

  3. [Psalm 119:150 ESV] They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose….

    Yes, the pretense of him being “nice” and caring is a disguise to further his hidden agenda against me.

  4. The verse that leaped out at me recently was this one:

    Put false ways far away from me, and graciously teach me your law! (Psalm 119:29 [ESV])

    False ways include notions that are false — for example, that God prioritizes marriage over souls, that husbands are entitled by their godly calling to have superior status in the home, that an abuser will change if the spouse changes, that both parties are responsible for marital abuse, etc. Falsehoods also include the beliefs and worldview of abusers, e.g. that we can’t think for ourselves, that we are at fault, that they are the real victims of our abuse, etc.

    I not only have a right to resist such notions, it is Biblical for me to beseech God to help me do this because God hates falsehoods.

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