Psalms 119:119

119 All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.

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 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for thy statutes continually!
118 Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes; yea, their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.