Psalm 119:157

Psalm 119:157

God's people are always persecuted

As we do not know where the author of the Psalm was living when he wrote these beautiful words, it’s hard to tell if the persecution he faced was personal, or if it came simply because he was an Israelite. Let’s face it, the Jews have been persecuted more than any other race, and it has gone on for centuries: -

·      No nation has ever known so much rejection, antipathy and hatred. 

·      They have been joined to a land like no other nation and yet separated from a land like no other nation!

·      They dwell apart and are separate from the nations but have also been more critical to world history than any other people. 

·      They have been the weakest of nations and yet the strongest.

·      They are the most vulnerable of all peoples and yet the most enduring. 

·      They have known the presence of God like no other, but they have also suffered hell on earth. 

If you study history, you will see that this hatred has ancient roots and has affected every generation since Moses, simply because God chose them! Their adversaries have been men in high places: -

·      The Egyptian Pharaoh.

·      Assyrian Generals.

·      Babylonian Kings.

·      Roman Emperors.

·      Spanish Inquisition. 

·      Imperial Russia.

·      Nazi Germany.

·      Islam.

·      Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Syria, Lebanon and Iran.

All of these forces, and more, have turned violently against the Jews, so much so that we have a word for the hatred they face – antisemitism. In fact, we may even face persecution ourselves if we declare any kind of support for the Jewish people, but we need to remember the words of the Lord to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”Genesis 12:3. 

Obviously, our author faced the usual condemnation and hostility but there was no way that he was going to be lured away from the one connection that He had with the Most High God, it was the laws, precepts, statutes and commandments of the Lord that gave him the strength to keep going.  

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