Psalm 139:19

Translations

Modern

O God, that You would slay the wicked—away from me, you bloodthirsty men—

Traditional

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

Literal

If only You would slay, O God, the wicked; and the men of blood, may they turn aside from me—

Latin

Si occideris, Deus, peccatores, viri sanguinum, declinate a me:

Original

Hebrew

English

O God, that You would slay the wicked—away from me, you bloodthirsty men—

Notes

Psalms 139:19–24

The psalmist’s sense of awe leads him to consider the wicked and to reflect on himself. The Lord, as the examiner of all people, judges the wicked for their destructive acts and speech. So, the psalmist prays that he will not be among them.

Psalms 139:1–24

In this wisdom psalm, the psalmist opens every part of his life to God. He invites God to examine his thoughts, actions, and words. Even though life is difficult, he wants to grow in wisdom so that he does not share in the judgment of the wicked (Psalm 141:5; 142:3; 143:8, 10; 144:3–4).

The psalmist also knows that he cannot escape from the Lord. His stress fades as he remembers that God has cared for him with love, even before he was born (Psalm 139:13–18). He ends by asking God to keep examining him and to guide him on the path of wisdom (Psalm 139:23–24).

Psalms 138:1–145:21

In this final group of psalms of David, psalms of praise and wisdom (Psalms 138–139, 145) form a frame around five psalms of lament (Psalms 140–144).

Theme notes and profiles

David Prayers for Vengeance The Cloud and Fire The Heart in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 119:115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
Psalm 5:6
You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
Isaiah 11:4
…but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
Psalm 6:8
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
Psalm 9:17
The wicked will return to Sheol—all the nations who forget God.
Psalm 55:23
But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Psalm 64:7
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be wounded.
Matthew 25:41
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Psalm 94:23
He will bring upon them their own iniquity and destroy them for their wickedness. The LORD our God will destroy them.
Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Glossary

Foreknowledge Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Saints Deprecate Company: Evil God: Knowledge of Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Wicked (People): Punishment of

Psalm 139:19

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