What Does Psalm 119:150 Mean in the King James?
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
A person can draw near to a scheme while moving farther from the instruction that gives direction.
THE MEANING
People can move toward harm with great purpose while moving away from God’s instruction. The verse shows that nearness is measured by the direction of pursuit, not by how close something feels. That same split is present whenever a chosen pursuit carries someone farther from the guidance that directs them.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that closeness itself proves alignment: a person can be actively moving toward something while becoming more distant from God’s instruction.
THE ROOT
קָרְבוּ
qārĕvû
GROWS FROM
ק־ר־ב
q-r-b
To approach, come near, or bring near.
“draw nigh” in this verse is qārĕvû. The same root gives the verse’s language of approach and also appears in קָרְבָּן (qorbān), drawing near. Nearness always has an object: coming closer to a scheme does not mean coming closer to instruction.
ALSO GROWS
qarov: Near
קָרוֹב
This branch makes the contrast plain: the pursuers draw near to mischief while remaining far from instruction.
qorbān: Drawing near
קָרְבָּן
This branch shows that approach is movement toward something; the verse makes the object of that movement matter.
זִמָּה
zimmāh
GROWS FROM
ז־מ־ם
z-m-m
To plan or devise.
“mischief” in this verse is zimmāh. The word carries the sense of a devised scheme, so the pursuit is purposeful rather than accidental. The verse pictures people closing in on what they have set out to do.
ALSO GROWS
zāmam: To devise or plan
זָמַם
The verb reveals the intentional quality beneath the word translated “mischief.”
mezimmāh: A plan or scheme; also discretion
מְזִמָּה
This related form shows how planning can serve wise direction or become a scheme pursued toward harm.
תּוֹרָתֶךָ
tôrātekhā
GROWS FROM
י־ר־ה
y-r-h
To direct, point out, or teach.
“law” in this verse is tôrātekhā. The word is Torah, instruction, whose root carries the sense of pointing or directing. The verse sets a pursued scheme beside the guidance that points a path: the pursuers have a direction, but they are far from God’s instruction.
ALSO GROWS
yārāh: To direct, point, or teach
יָרָה
The root gives instruction its sense of guidance that points toward a way.
môreh: Teacher or instructor
מוֹרֶה
This related form shows the root’s movement from pointing toward a path to teaching someone its direction.
THE PATTERN
Nearness is disclosed by pursuit: what a person chases can draw them away from instruction.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:THE THREAD
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.Both verses use the Hebrew root ק־ר־ב (q-r-b), meaning to approach or be near. Psalm 119 shows people drawing near to a scheme while far from instruction; Psalm 145 uses the same root for the LORD’s nearness to those who call upon him in truth.
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