Psalms 119:119

119 You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!

Psalms 119:119 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:119

Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] dross,
&c.] Which is of no worth and value, useless and unprofitable; which is cast into the fire, and separated from the choice metal. This expresses the character and state of wicked men; who are of no account with God, are of no profit and advantage to him; nor to men, but harmful and pernicious; are cast into the fire of God's judgments here, and into everlasting burnings hereafter; and will be separated from the righteous, and have no part and lot with them: these seem to be hypocrites also, who have made a show of being gold and silver, when they were nothing but dross; and being reprobate silver, were rejected of God as such;

therefore I love thy testimonies;
which discover such persons when brought to be tried by them; and which require purity of heart and life, and caution against evil ways and evil men, and are a means of preserving from them.

Psalms 119:119 In-Context

117 Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
118 But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves.
119 You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!
120 I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations.
121 Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.