Psalms 119:150
They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
Psalms 119:150
This verse contrasts those who “draw nigh” to follow mischief with those distant from the law. The enemies here are not only external foes but the seductive pull of wrongdoing and the social pressures that push people away from God’s law. The psalmist notes a tension: path toward mischief seems close to some, yet the law remains a standard of truth and wisdom. It captures a real fear: that companionship and proximity to wrongdoing can corrupt or dampen spiritual sensitivity. The verse invites vigilant discernment—distance from temptations and mischief is necessary to remain faithful to God’s commands.
Themes: moral proximity and influence; the ongoing spiritual warfare between truth and temptation. The verse underscores the seriousness of associating with mischief and the consequent drift from divine law. It resonates with New Testament warnings about bad company corrupting good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33) and with the biblical call to be in the world but not of it (John 17). It also reinforces the idea that proximity to God’s word—rather than proximity to mischief—cultivates integrity and life.
Practical steps: audit your associations and media intake. If you notice peers or environments pulling you toward shortcuts or gossip, choose to step back, set boundaries, or seek communities that reinforce godly living. Use Scripture as a filter for choices and friendships. When tempted to follow the crowd into mischief, pause, recall God’s law as truth, and choose a contrasting, honest path—perhaps choosing to correct a rumor, decline a morally compromising invitation, or instead offer a constructive alternative that honors God.
Cross-References: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20; Psalm 1:1-2; James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14