Psalms 119:23 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Psalms 119:21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

Psalms 119:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

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

Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Psalms 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "princes", "speak", "against", "servant", "meditate", and "statutes". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "princes" and "speak", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 22's "Remove from me reproach and contempt for..." into verse 24's "Thy testimonies also are my delight and...", so "princes" and "speak" belong inside that flow. In Psalms context, the local focus is worship, trust, the LORD's kingship, and covenant mercy.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "princes" and "speak" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.