Psalm 119:161

We now arrive at the next to the last octave of Psalm 119 entitled Schin.  According to the pronunciation guide in my Bible, this letter schin would be pronounced like our word sheen as when you refer to the shininess of something you speak of its sheen. 

Psalms 119:161  ¶SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Let’s recall the definition of the word prince. 

Prince – 1. A sovereign ruler; a monarch, a king.  2. One who has the chief authority; a ruler, commander, governor, president; also, the head man, chief, or leader of a tribe.

This is the second verse of this psalm in which the psalmist mentions being opposed by those in chief authority.  The first verse to mention this is verse 23.

Psalms 119:23  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

There we saw those in authority using their governmental power to speak against the psalmist.  They were framing “mischief by a law” (Psalms 94:20).  In today’s verse we find these rulers persecuting the psalmist without a cause.  The psalmist had done nothing to warrant their opposing them.  He was guilty of nothing that could be construed as disobedience to their lawful authority.  He was like Daniel who was also persecuted by princes and that without a cause.

Daniel 6:4  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

5  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

But the princes who persecute God’s servants are not just the princes of this world that we see; they are also the princes of this world that we do not see.  Bearing in mind that a principality is the position, dignity, or dominion of a prince, note these two verses:

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Colossians 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him….

Although the psalmist met with persecution from those in high places, visible and invisible, he did not let the fear of them overpower and control him.  He remained stedfast in the fear of God and His word:  but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.    

To stand in awe of:  to be greatly afraid of, to dread; later, to entertain a profound reverence for.

Whatever you stand most in awe of will be the thing that most controls you.  While on the one hand we should fear, honour and obey lawful authority figures among men, our first fear and honour is ever owing to God.

Romans 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Titus 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

1 Peter 2:17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Therefore, if the fear of God ever comes into conflict with the fear of a prince, always choose the fear of God and His word.  And if you truly stand in awe of God, you will stand in awe of His word since His word is the very expression of His authority and that by which you shall be judged.  Furthermore, this awe that we should have of the word of God is a preventative against sinning against that word.

Psalms 4:4  Stand in awe, and sin not….

Today’s verse certainly points us to our Lord Jesus Christ Who was persecuted by princes, princes who were ignorant of Who He was and what He came to accomplish. 

1 Corinthians 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

And these princes had no cause to persecute Him and condemn Him as they did.  He was indeed persecuted without a cause.

John 15:25  But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Luke 23:22  And he (Pilate) said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

Acts 13:28  And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

And blessed are His followers who stand in awe of His word and are likewise persecuted without a cause.

1 Peter 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.