“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”
Even though princes sit and plot against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. Despite political opposition ('princes sit and plot'), the psalmist will continue Torah-meditation ('will meditate on your statutes'), positioning law-study as resistant practice. This verse portrays the law as the bulwark against political oppression.
Church Fathers on Psalms 119:23
1. From its commencement, dearly beloved, does this great Psalm exhort us unto bliss, which there is no one who desires not....And therefore this is the lesson which he teaches, who says, “Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord” Psalm 118:1. As much as to say, I know what you wish, you are seeking bliss: if then you would be blessed, be undefiled. For the former all desire, the latter fear: yet without it what all wish cannot be…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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