Psalm 119:119

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 119:119 In-Context

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast set at nought all them that wander from thy statutes; for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth [like] dross; therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh shuddereth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Footnotes

• [a] For 'puttest away' some read 'accountest.' For 'dross' LXX has 'transgressors.'
• [b] Or 'land.'