Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
Psalm 119 belongs to a psalm that exalts God's law as central to life. In that psalm His testimonies are presented as delight and counsel, His commandments as the way to follow, and His word as a guide for life. His law is to be the rule of life, showing the difference between right and wrong and between truth and error. The verse teaches that salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek God's statutes. The wicked it describes are bold and defiant against God's holy law, the laws given to govern the human beings He created, and have changed His laws.
Because of that defiance and changing of God's laws, cruelty increases until life becomes intolerable. Persistent wickedness and rejection of truth bring certain judgment, for the Lord will interfere and arise to punish that wickedness when the period of probation ends. That coming punishment highlights God's very great forbearance, by which He constrains His own attributes through omnipotence exerted over Himself. He bears long with continual insult and increasing defiance against His commandments while giving continual light to those who remain obedient.
Psalm 119 belongs to a psalm that exalts God's law as central to life. In that psalm His testimonies are presented as delight and counsel, His commandments as the way to follow, and His word as a guide for life. His law is to be the rule of life, showing the difference between right and wrong and between truth and error. The verse teaches that salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek God's statutes. The wicked it describes are bold and defiant against God's holy law, the laws given to govern the human beings He created, and have changed His laws.
Because of that defiance and changing of God's laws, cruelty increases until life becomes intolerable. Persistent wickedness and rejection of truth bring certain judgment, for the Lord will interfere and arise to punish that wickedness when the period of probation ends. That coming punishment highlights God's very great forbearance, by which He constrains His own attributes through omnipotence exerted over Himself. He bears long with continual insult and increasing defiance against His commandments while giving continual light to those who remain obedient.