Psalms 119 · Verse 53

Psalms 119:53

Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Psalms 119:53, King James Version

Psalms 119:53 in other translations

BSBRage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.
WEBIndignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
ASVHot indignation hath taken hold upon me, Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
YLTHorror hath seized me, Because of the wicked forsaking Thy law.
DARBYBurning indignation hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked who forsake thy law.
BBEI am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.
WebsterHorror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

What does Psalms 119:53 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 119:52-56

52-56. The pious take comfort, when harassed and distressed by wickedness of men who forsake God's law, in remembering that the great principles of God's truth will still abide; and also God's judgments of old--that is, His past interpositions in behalf of His people are a pledge that He will again interpose to deliver them; and they become the theme of constant and delightful meditation. The more we keep the more…

Read the full comment on Psalms 119:52-56 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me - The word זלעפה zilaphah, which we render horror, is thought to signify the pestilential burning wind called by the Arabs simoom. Here it strongly marks the idea that the psalmist had of the destructive nature of sin; it is pestilential; it is corrupting, mortal.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 119:49-56

Those that make God's promises their portion, may with humble boldness make them their plea. He that by his Spirit works faith in us, will work for us. The word of God speaks comfort in affliction. If, through grace, it makes us holy, there is enough in it to make us easy, in all conditions. Let us be certain we have the Divine law for what we believe, and then let not scoffers prevail upon us to decline from it…

Read the full comment on Psalms 119:49-56 →

Psalms 119:53 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

זַלְעָפָ֣הzal.'a.Fahburning indignationH2152
אֲ֭חָזַתְנִי'A.cha.zat.niit has seized meH270
מֵרְשָׁעִ֑יםme.re.sha.'Imfrom wicked [people]H7563
עֹ֝זְבֵ֗י'o.ze.Vei[who] forsakeH5800
תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ\׃to.ra.Te.kha<of> law yourH8451

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 119:53

  • Ezra 9:3

    And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.

  • Psalms 119:158

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

  • Jeremiah 13:17

    But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.

  • Ezra 10:6

    Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

  • Philippians 3:18

    (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

  • Romans 9:1-3

    I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

  • Habakkuk 3:16

    When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

  • Psalms 119:136

    Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

  • Luke 19:41-42

    And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

  • Nehemiah 13:25

    And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:21

    And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

  • Ezra 9:14

    Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
horror.{Zilâphah} properly signifies the pestilential burning wind called by the Arabs {Simoom,} (see Ps 11:6.) It is here used in a figurative sense for the most horrid mental distress; and strongly marks the idea the Psalmist had of the corrupting, pestilential, and destructive nature of sin.
136,158; Ezr 9:3,14; 10:6; Jer 13:17; Da 4:19; Hab 3:16
Lu 19:41,42; Ro 9:1-3; 2Co 12:21; Php 3:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 119:52

    I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

  • Psalms 119:53

    Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

  • Psalms 119:54

    Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Read all of Psalms 119

Psalms 119:53 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Horror se apoderó de mí, á causa de los impíos que dejan tu ley.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Une ardente indignation m’a saisi à cause des méchants qui abandonnent ta loi.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Zornglut hat mich ergriffen wegen der Gesetzlosen, die dein Gesetz verlassen.