All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse contrasts the absolute reliability of God's commands with the deceptive nature of the psalmist's persecutors. It's not just that they are wrong; their actions are founded on "falsehood," highlighting a deep spiritual opposition between God's truth and the lies used to oppress.
All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling overwhelmed by enemies who falsely accuse and attack him. Amidst this persecution, he declares his unwavering trust in God's commandments, asserting their inherent truth and faithfulness, which stand in stark contrast to the lies aimed against him. This affirmation naturally leads to a desperate plea for divine intervention against his tormentors.
When life feels chaotic and people aren't trustworthy, where can we find solid ground? The psalmist points us to God's commands.
In this verse, the psalmist declares, 'All your commandments are sure.' This isn't just a casual observation; it's a profound declaration of trust. 'Sure' here speaks to faithfulness, truth, and reliability.
God's Character in His Commands
Why do people sometimes attack us, especially when we're trying to follow God? Often, it's not about truth, but about falsehood.
The psalmist laments, 'they persecute me with falsehood.' This reveals a crucial aspect of spiritual conflict: the attacks we face are frequently fueled by lies and deception.
The Nature of Falsehood in Persecution
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Understand the original words
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to divine instructions, laws, or ordinances given by God to His people. They serve as a guide for living in covenant relationship with Him.
emunah · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being in which something is reliable, trustworthy, stable, or established. It describes the character of God's word and law as unchanging and dependable.
sheqer · Hebrew Noun
A state of being characterized by untruth, deception, or lack of factual basis. In Scripture, it is often linked to the wicked and their opposition to God’s people.
This passage echoes the theme of false accusers rising up against the psalmist, aligning with the 'persecute me with falsehood' aspect of Psalm 119:86.
Psalms 7:1-5Here, David cries out to God for help against his enemies who attack him with lies and deceit, mirroring the psalmist's plea in Psalm 119:86.
Psalms 119:69This verse speaks of the proud who falsely accuse the psalmist, further highlighting the theme of malicious falsehood as seen in Psalm 119:86.
Luke 6:22Jesus speaks of the blessings for those who are hated, reviled, and rejected because of their faith in Him, reflecting the persecution the psalmist endures in Psalm 119:86.
1 Peter 2:19-20This passage encourages believers to endure hardship and unjust suffering for the sake of conscience, relating to the wrongful persecution mentioned in Psalm 119:86.
gillPsalms 119:86: "All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me."
All thy commandments are faithful,.... Or, "faithfulness" (x) they are made by a faithful God, who is holy, just, and true; they command faithfulness, sincerity, and uprightness; and require men to love their neighbours as themselves, and to do all they do faithfully, cordially, and affectionately; they are to be done in truth and faithfulness, in charity, out of a pure heart, and faith unfeigned; an…
poolePsalms 119:86: "All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me."
Are faithful; they are in themselves most just and true, and they require justice and faithfulness from men, promising many blessings to those that perform it, and severely forbid all fraud and falseness, threatening grievous punishments to those that use it; and such promises and threatenings are true, and shall certainly be executed.
The verse contrasts the absolute reliability of God's commands with the deceptive nature of the psalmist's persecutors. It's not just that they are wrong; their actions are founded on "falsehood," highlighting a deep spiritual opposition between God's truth and the lies used to oppress.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling overwhelmed by enemies who falsely accuse and attack him. Amidst this persecution, he declares his unwavering trust in God's commandments, asserting their inherent truth and faithfulness, which stand in stark contrast to the lies aimed against him. This affirmation naturally leads to a desperate plea for divine intervention against his tormentors.
The psalmist is in deep distress, feeling overwhelmed by enemies who falsely accuse and attack him. Amidst this persecution, he declares his unwavering trust in God's commandments, asserting their inherent truth and faithfulness, which stand in stark contrast to the lies aimed against him. This affirmation naturally leads to a desperate plea for divine intervention against his tormentors.
"All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!" — The verse contrasts the absolute reliability of God's commands with the deceptive nature of the psalmist's persecutors. It's not just that they are wrong; their actions are founded on "falsehood," hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026