What does Psalms 119:155 mean?

"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155

"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155

Psalms 119:155 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes."

This verse comes from the longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, which is a beautiful and profound meditation on God's word and its importance in the life of a believer. The chapter is broken up into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and within each stanza, every verse begins with the same letter. This chapter is a celebration of the law of the Lord, and a reflection on its impact on the life of the one who follows it.

In this specific verse, the psalmist is lamenting the state of the wicked, expressing the idea that they are so far from salvation because they do not seek God's statutes. Salvation, in the context of this verse, refers not only to being delivered from sin and from the consequences of sin, but also to the inward experience of peace, joy, and communion with God that comes from a right relationship with Him.

The psalmist is emphasizing the importance of seeking God's statutes, or His commandments and precepts, as the path to salvation. This is in line with the larger themes found in Psalm 119, which repeatedly extols the virtues and benefits of following God's law. The psalmist expresses a deep love for God's commandments and a desire to live in accordance with them. The psalmist understands that true salvation comes from obeying God's word and living a life of righteousness.

The contrast between the wicked, who do not seek God's statutes, and the righteous, who do, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In the book of Proverbs, for example, the way of the righteous is contrasted with the way of the wicked, with the former being shown to lead to life and the latter to destruction. This theme underscores the importance of living in accordance with God's word and the negative consequences of living in opposition to it.

The imagery of "salvation being far from the wicked" suggests a sense of distance and separation from God. The wicked are portrayed as being so far removed from God's ways that salvation seems out of reach for them. This serves as a sobering warning about the danger of a life lived in rebellion against God and His commandments.

In addition to the themes of salvation and righteousness, there is also a strong emphasis on the concept of seeking. The psalmist suggests that the wicked do not seek God's statutes, indicating a lack of desire or effort to know and understand God's word. This highlights the importance of actively pursuing a relationship with God and seeking His wisdom and guidance through His word.

The context of this verse within Psalm 119 further enhances its impact and significance. The entire chapter is a beautiful expression of the psalmist's love for God's law and his desire to live in obedience to it. Each stanza is filled with praise for God's word and a recognition of its power and authority. In this light, Psalm 119:155 can be seen as a call to embrace God's statutes and seek His salvation through a life of obedience and devotion to His word.

Symbolically, the distance between the wicked and salvation can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual separation that sin causes between humanity and God. The refusal to seek God's statutes represents a lack of repentance and a rejection of God's authority. Conversely, the act of seeking God's statutes symbolizes a heart that is open to God's guidance and receptive to His grace.

In conclusion, Psalm 119:155 is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking God's statutes as the path to salvation. It reflects the larger themes found throughout the Bible of the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, the consequences of living in rebellion against God's word, and the transformative power of obedience and faith. This verse serves as a call to embrace God's commandments and seek His salvation through a life of righteous living.

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Psalms 119:155 Artwork

Psalms 119:155 - "Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes."

Psalms 119:155 - "Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes."

"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155

"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155

Psalms 119:153 - "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law."

Psalms 119:153 - "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law."

Psalms 119:174 - "I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight."

Psalms 119:174 - "I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight."

Psalms 119:61 - "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."

Psalms 119:61 - "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."

Psalms 119:32 - "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."

Psalms 119:32 - "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalms 119:89

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalms 119:89

Psalms 119:176 - "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."

Psalms 119:176 - "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."

"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." - Psalms 119:158

"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." - Psalms 119:158

Psalms 119:119 - "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies."

Psalms 119:119 - "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies."

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." - Psalms 119:137

"Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." - Psalms 119:137

Psalms 119:3 - "They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways."

Psalms 119:3 - "They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways."

"Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." - Psalms 119:138

"Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." - Psalms 119:138

"Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." - Psalms 119:4

"Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." - Psalms 119:4

Psalms 119:24 - "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."

Psalms 119:24 - "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."

Psalms 119:70 - "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law."

Psalms 119:70 - "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law."

Psalms 119:36 - "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."

Psalms 119:36 - "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."

Psalms 119:56 - "This I had, because I kept thy precepts."

Psalms 119:56 - "This I had, because I kept thy precepts."

Psalms 119:45 - "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."

Psalms 119:45 - "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."

Psalms 119:60 - "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."

Psalms 119:60 - "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."

"It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law." - Psalms 119:126

"It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law." - Psalms 119:126

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." - Psalms 119:54

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." - Psalms 119:54

Psalms 119:151 - "Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth."

Psalms 119:151 - "Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth."

Psalms 119:150 - "They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law."

Psalms 119:150 - "They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law."

Psalms 119:158 - "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word."

Psalms 119:158 - "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word."

"The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law." - Psalms 119:85

"The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law." - Psalms 119:85

Psalms 119:103 (KJVA)
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalms 119:103 (KJVA) 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

"And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved." - Psalms 119:47

"And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved." - Psalms 119:47

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." - Psalms 119:130

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." - Psalms 119:130

Psalms 119:140 - "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."

Psalms 119:140 - "Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it."