Psalms 119:141
I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.
BSB
ASV
I am small and despised; Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
KJV
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
I am small and despised - The word here rendered “small” may mean “small” in respect to number - that is, “few,” Mic 5:2; Isa 60:22; or in respect to age - “young,” Gen 19:31; or in respect to dignity - “low;” least in rank or esteem. The language here may be applied to the church as comparatively few; to one who is young; or to one in humble life. Either of these may be a reason why one is regarded as of little consequence, or may be subject to reproach and ridicule. It is not possible to determine in which of these senses the word is used here, or in which sense it was applicable to the psalmist. The word “despised” means treated as unworthy of notice; passed by; looked upon with contempt. This might be on account of age, or poverty, or ignorance, or humble rank: or it might be simply on account of his religion, for the friends of God have been, and often are, despised simply because they are religious. The Saviour was despised by people; the apostles were; the most excellent of the earth in all ages have been. Compare Heb 11:36-38; 1Co 4:13. Yet do not I forget thy precepts - I am not ashamed of them. I am not deterred from keeping them, and from avowing my purpose to obey them, because I am despised for it. This is often one of the severest tests of religion, and to be faithful in such circumstances is one of the clearest proofs of true attachment to God. There are few things which we are less able to bear than contempt, and one of the best evidences of attachment to principle is when we adhere to what we regard as right and true, though we are despised for it by the frivolous, the worldly, the rich - by those who claim to be “wise.” He who can bear contempt on account of his opinions, can usually bear anything.
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
leads to
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Through
James 2:5Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
leads to
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
