Psalms 119:126

KJV

¶ It is time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they have made void thy law.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is time {H6256} for thee, LORD {H3068}, to work {H6213}: for they have made void {H6565} thy law {H8451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The time has come for ADONAI to act, because they are breaking your Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.

American Standard Version

It is time for Jehovah to work; Forthey have made void thy law.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:126 is a fervent and urgent plea from the psalmist to the LORD, calling for divine intervention in a time of profound spiritual decline. It articulates a critical juncture where human disregard, active nullification, and open defiance of God's holy law have reached a point demanding the immediate and powerful action of the Almighty. This cry arises from a deep reverence for God's precepts and a profound distress over their widespread abandonment, asserting that it is now the opportune moment for God to uphold His own honor and truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the biblical canon, an elaborate acrostic poem with each of its 22 stanzas (corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet) containing eight verses that begin with the same letter. The entire psalm is a profound meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and necessity of God's Torah (law, instruction). Within this extensive reflection, verse 126 falls within the "Ayin" section (verses 121-128), which often expresses the psalmist's distress over the oppression he faces from the wicked and his longing for God's righteous judgment. This verse serves as a climactic appeal, moving from personal suffering and reliance on God's word (as seen in [Psalm 119:121-125](/psalms/119-121 "Psalm 119:121-125 - Seeking God's Justice")) to a broader concern for the public dishonor of God's law. It highlights the stark contrast between the psalmist's unwavering devotion to God's statutes and the active rebellion of "they" who seek to invalidate them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of God's "law" (Torah) was central to ancient Israel's identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh. It encompassed not only legal statutes but also divine instruction, wisdom, and the very blueprint for a flourishing life in covenant with God. To "make void" God's law was an act of profound rebellion against the divine King and the foundational principles of their society. This plea likely reflects periods of significant apostasy, moral decay, or external pressures where the covenant stipulations were openly disregarded by segments of the population or by oppressive authorities. The psalmist's lament resonates with the prophetic denunciations of Israel's unfaithfulness (e.g., [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")) and the call for divine justice when human systems fail to uphold righteousness. The urgency of "it is time" suggests a crisis point where the very fabric of God's established order was under threat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **sanctity and eternal nature of God's law**, which the psalmist holds in the highest esteem, contrasting it with human attempts to diminish its authority. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and intervention**, as the psalmist recognizes that only God's direct action can rectify the widespread spiritual decline. This echoes the biblical pattern where God acts decisively when human sin reaches its zenith and there is no one to help (e.g., [Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Intervention When There Is No One")). Thirdly, it emphasizes the **distress of the righteous in the face of widespread ungodliness**, a recurrent motif throughout the Psalms, where the faithful lament the prosperity of the wicked and the disregard for divine truth. Finally, it serves as a fervent **call for justice and the vindication of God's honor**, pleading for the Lord to assert His rightful authority over those who defy His commandments, thereby affirming the enduring truth that God's Word is forever established in heaven ([Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Established")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Time (Hebrew, _ʿēth'_):** This word signifies not merely a chronological moment but an opportune, appointed, or critical season. It carries the nuance of a "kairos" moment – a divinely ordained time for decisive action. The psalmist is not suggesting God is slow, but rather that the circumstances have ripened to the point where divine intervention is urgently and appropriately called for.
* **Work (Hebrew, _pāʿal'_):** This verb means to act, to do, to accomplish, or to make. It implies a powerful and effective deed, often with a sense of purposeful activity. When applied to God, it speaks of His sovereign and mighty acts of creation, judgment, and redemption. The psalmist is not asking for a passive observation but for a dynamic, impactful demonstration of God's power.
* **Made void (Hebrew, _pārar'_):** This is a strong verb meaning to break, frustrate, nullify, abolish, invalidate, or make ineffective. It implies more than mere neglect or passive disobedience; it suggests an active, deliberate attempt to dismantle, disregard, or render God's law irrelevant. It's an assault on the authority and binding nature of divine precepts, treating them as if they have no force or consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is time for thee, LORD, to work":** This opening clause is a direct, impassioned address to God (apostrophe). The psalmist, observing the dire spiritual state, perceives that human efforts or patience are exhausted. He calls upon Yahweh, the covenant God, to intervene with His sovereign power. The phrase "it is time" conveys a sense of urgency and a recognition that the situation has reached a critical point demanding divine action, as if to say, "The moment for Your decisive intervention has arrived, O God!"
* **"for they have made void thy law":** This second clause provides the justification for the urgent plea. The pronoun "they" refers to the wicked, the ungodly, or those who actively oppose God's ways. Their offense is not simply ignoring the law, but actively "making it void"—nullifying its authority, treating it as irrelevant, or openly defying its commands. This act of invalidation is a direct affront to God's character and His revealed will, creating a crisis that only divine intervention can resolve.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Apostrophe**, a direct address to God ("LORD"), which intensifies the personal and urgent nature of the plea. The psalmist's cry is not a general lament but a specific, direct appeal to the divine sovereign. There is a strong element of **Plea** or **Supplication**, characteristic of many psalms, where the righteous individual pours out their heart to God in distress. The phrase "It is time" can be seen as a form of **Exhortation** or **Imprecation** directed at God, urging Him to act, though always within the bounds of humble submission. The verse also presents a stark **Contrast** between the psalmist's reverence for God's law (implied by his distress) and "their" active defiance, highlighting the moral and spiritual chasm between the righteous and the wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:126 presents a profound theological statement about God's character, the nature of His law, and the consequences of human rebellion. It affirms God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to upholding His own truth and justice, even when humanity actively seeks to dismantle it. The psalmist's plea is rooted in the conviction that God will not allow His law to be perpetually nullified without consequence, for His honor is at stake. It speaks to the divine principle that when human systems fail and moral chaos ensues due to the rejection of divine standards, it is precisely then that God is moved to act decisively. This verse underscores the enduring tension between human autonomy and divine authority, ultimately affirming that God's Word will prevail.

* [Isaiah 59:16](/isaiah/59-16 "Isaiah 59:16 - God's Intervention When There Is No One")
* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")
* [Romans 3:31](/romans/3-31 "Romans 3:31 - Upholding the Law Through Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:126 offers a timeless model for believers facing a world increasingly hostile or indifferent to God's truth. In an era where biblical principles are often dismissed as outdated, irrelevant, or even harmful, the psalmist's urgent cry resonates deeply. This verse calls us to cultivate a similar reverence for God's Word and to feel a holy distress when it is actively undermined or "made void" in society, in institutions, or even within the church. It reminds us that our response should not be despair, but fervent, faith-filled prayer for divine intervention. It is a powerful encouragement to cry out to the LORD, trusting that He is sovereign, just, and ultimately committed to vindicating His name and His law. Furthermore, it implicitly challenges us to be steadfast in our own adherence to God's commandments, becoming living testimonies to their enduring power and truth, even when surrounded by those who reject them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life, my community, or the broader culture do I observe God's law being "made void" or actively disregarded?**
* **How does the psalmist's urgent prayer for God to "work" inspire or challenge my own prayer life regarding societal spiritual decline?**
* **What is my personal responsibility to uphold, defend, and live by God's law, even when it is unpopular or actively opposed by others?**
* **How can I maintain hope and faith in God's ultimate sovereignty when faced with widespread ungodliness?**

### FAQ
**What does "made void thy law" specifically mean, and how is it different from simple disobedience?**

Answer: "Made void thy law" (Hebrew: _pārar_) implies a deliberate and active attempt to invalidate, abolish, or render ineffective God's commandments. It's stronger than mere neglect or passive disobedience. Simple disobedience might be failing to follow a command, but "making void" suggests an intentional rejection of the law's authority, treating it as if it has no binding power or relevance. This could manifest as reinterpreting it to suit personal desires, openly defying it, or attempting to dismantle its foundational role in society. It's an assault on the very essence of God's revealed will, contrasting sharply with the psalmist's deep reverence for the [Torah](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - A Meditation on God's Law").

**Does this verse suggest God is slow to act, or that He needs to be prompted by human prayer?**

Answer: No, this verse does not suggest God is slow or that He needs human prompting to act. Instead, it reflects the psalmist's perception of the urgency from a human perspective, recognizing that the situation has reached a critical point where divine intervention is desperately needed. It's a fervent, faith-filled prayer for God to act according to His perfect timing and justice, acknowledging that human means are exhausted. It highlights the biblical truth that God often allows human sin to run its course to highlight the need for His righteous hand, and that He delights in the prayers of His people. The "time" here is a *kairos* moment, a divinely appointed opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and vindicate His truth, not a complaint about His slowness, as God's patience is often a display of His mercy, leading to repentance ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:126 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When humanity had utterly "made void" God's law through sin, rendering themselves incapable of righteousness, it was truly "time for the LORD to work." God's ultimate "work" was sending His Son, Jesus, who perfectly upheld the law in every respect, not abolishing it but fulfilling it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). The cross itself was God's decisive act, His "work," to address the cosmic voiding of His law by human rebellion. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, God's justice was satisfied, and a way was opened for humanity to be reconciled to Him. Furthermore, the coming of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ, enables believers to live according to God's law, writing it not on tablets of stone but on the tablets of human hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). The psalmist's plea for God to work anticipates the eschatological reality when Christ will return, and the kingdom of the world will finally become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, where His law will be perfectly honored and His righteousness fully established ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). Thus, Jesus is the ultimate answer to the psalmist's urgent cry, embodying God's perfect work to restore His law and His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 8:8

How do ye say, We [are] wise, and the law of the LORD [is] with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he [it]; the pen of the scribes [is] in vain.

Habakkuk 1:4

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Malachi 2:8

But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 15:6

And honour not his father or his mother, [he shall be free]. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Psalms 9:19

Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

Romans 4:14

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 3:31

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.