What Does it Mean ‘Touch Not Mine Anointed’? (Psalm 105:15)

Theology
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What Does “Touch Not My Anointed” Really Mean?

Many people have heard the phrase “Touch not my anointed” used in various church settings, often as a defense against any criticism or correction of church leaders. This phrase comes from Psalm 105:15, but what does it mean in context? Is it used correctly for church leaders, or has it been misinterpreted to shield false teachers from accountability?

This scripture is frequently cited to discourage questioning or challenging those in authority within the church, but it’s essential to understand its original intent. Today, some have extended this to mean that leaders are beyond criticism, which can, unfortunately, enable harmful behavior and prevent necessary accountability.

What are your thoughts on this? How have you seen this verse used, and what do you believe is its true biblical context?

For further reading:

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I recently finished listening to, "Chosen to Be God’s Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Samuel" by Henry Blackaby and even he mentioned that a congregation shouldn’t go about removing a pastor that God has called into their ministry.

I wonder if his outlook would be different now with so many widely known pastors falling from grace.

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I was always taught to not take a verse out of context. I always read at least 5 verses above the stated verse and 5 below if possible. When doing this I learned from psalms 105:15 that the psalmist was speaking of the chosen people, the Israelites. God was telling the other people in the land the Israelites were to possess not to touch or lay a hand on the Israelites. The rest of the verse says “and do my prophets no harm”. So if churches are using this verse to deter people from questioning authority then the authority must be an Israelite or a prophet. That is how I read it from the NKJ.

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Revelation chapter 7

Those who have seal of God, Holy Spirit.

Acts chapter 2, God will pour his Spirit out on all flesh,sons and daughters.
Isaiah chapter 6
Some people have Spirit of slumber. Not everyone has the Holy Spirit.

We’re talking about Election. The prophets, and apostles are the election. They were chosen before foundation of the world, and Predestined.

The election were judged and chosen by God in the first earth age. The position for election can’t be voluntary. They have Holy Spirit.

Psalms chapter 105.
The anointed are the election.

Apostle means sent forth.

Ephesians 3:9
And to make men see what is fellowship of the mystery, which is from the beginning of the world, , hath not hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
3:5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it now revealed unto his Holy apostles prophets by the Spirit.

God has small remnant of election, in each generation. They have Holy Spirit.
Paul wrote much of the new testament.

4:1
Therefore , the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that ye Walk worthy of the vocation where by ye are called.

4:4

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.

Election are called, and chosen. When God’s anointed plant seeds, any seed that germinate, will receive the holy Spirit. Only Jesus can germinate those seeds. Many people have Spirit of slumber.

4:11
And he gave some , apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelist, and some pastors, and teachers.
4:11
For the perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edify body of Christ.

The saints are the election. The anointed.

4:14
That we hence forth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sliegh of men, and cunning craftiness, wherby they lie in wait to deceive.

Lets understand this. False brethren have unclesn Spirit. They don’t have Spirit of stupor.
Kindunos in Greek means - extremely dangerous, false brethren.
Methodeia in Greek means - planned attack, stealth, infiltrate.
Satan is behind this. He uses false brethren to damage body of Christ.

Division comes from false brethren.

4:21
If so that ye heard of him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Body of Christ studies sound doctrine. Those who have Holy Spirit will not against God.

4:23
And be renewed in the Spirit of your mind.
The Holy Spirit is the key to inner transformation from within. Its a renewal of the mind.
4:25
Where for putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

We are to edify body of Christ. Not cause division. Nor strife.

Ephesians chapter 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the Chief corner stone.

Again, the election are the anointed.

Yes, God might grant holy Spirit to some who have free will. Only Jesus can germinate those seeds planted by the election.

1 Peter chapter 1

Elect, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obiedence and sprinkling of the blood of Christ,

The election understand the deep truth of Gods word. Those who have Spirit of slumber can’t understand mystery of God.

1:12
Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren…

Good tree produces good fruit.
Bad tree produces bad fruit.

Those who have Holy Spirit can uncover false brethren lies and traps. Ephesians chapter 5, expose fruits of darkness, and edifying body of Christ…

Peace.

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It means that God will protect his people and fight for them and not to harm them in any way.

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“Touch not My anointed” teaches that

  • God defends those He calls and sets apart for His purposes.
  • We should not harm or oppose someone acting under God’s clear calling.

That said, all believers are still subject to truth and correction under God’s Word.

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Pastors sometimes cite this to bolster their own position. In context David refused to kill king Saul when he had the chance even to save his own life because he saw it as interfering with what God was doing.

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Psalm 105 looks to be a rememberance of God’s intervention to save His People from oppressive Authorities.

The phrase echoes with words the reality of intervention time amd time again, How those who were meant for a Purpose were kept safe to fulfill it.

It is similar to the rod and staff anology. I shall fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. But where as the decree echoes out to deter those who might come along and cause trouble, the rod and the staff are interventions upon the Anounted individual or group themselves to guide them away from harm.

God ensures His Will is done.

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Hi @Fritzpw_Admin

The phrase “Touch not My anointed” comes from ~Psalm 105:15 and is echoed in ~1 Chronicles 16:22. In both passages, the context is historical and covenantal, not ecclesiastical or pastoral. It refers to God’s protection over the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the prophetic line through which His covenant promise would unfold, not to modern preachers or church leaders who misuse the verse to shield themselves from accountability.
In ~Psalm 105, the psalmist recounts God’s mighty acts in Israel’s early history, from His covenant with Abraham (~v.8-11), to His protection over the patriarchs as they wandered among hostile nations (~v.12-15). The phrase appears in this section: “He permitted no man to oppress them; He reproved kings for their sakes, saying, ‘Touch not My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.’” The Hebrew verb mashach (to anoint) here refers to those chosen and consecrated for divine purpose, specifically the patriarchs and prophets who bore the covenant promises.
The context shows that “anointed” (meshichai) does not refer to kings like Saul or David in this instance but to the covenant forefathers whom God protected to ensure the survival of His redemptive plan. It recalls episodes like Pharaoh being warned in ~Genesis 12:17–20 and Abimelech in ~Genesis 20:3–7, both rebuked for threatening Abraham and Sarah. God intervened directly to preserve the lineage of promise that would lead to the Messiah.
This verse, therefore, is not a prohibition against questioning or discerning the words and actions of religious figures today. Scripture calls believers to “test all things, hold fast to what is good” ~1 Thessalonians 5:21, and even to rebuke elders who persist in sin ~1 Timothy 5:20. The “touch” (Hebrew naga‘, meaning to strike or harm) in Psalm 105 speaks of physical violence or interference with God’s covenant plan, not verbal correction or theological examination.
In summary, “Touch not My anointed” is a declaration of divine protection over the patriarchs and prophets who carried God’s redemptive covenant. It was never a blanket command to silence discernment or criticism within the body of Christ. The true “Anointed One” (Christos) is Jesus Himself, and all who are in Him share that anointing through the Spirit ~1 John 2:20. To misuse this verse to shield human authority is to rob Christ of His exclusive anointing and to distort the covenant meaning of the text.

Thanks.

J.

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@Fritzpw_Admin, I have never heard this part of a verse used to protect church leaders from criticism or discipline, but the rest of the verse and the context explain it:

Psa 105:12 When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,
Psa 105:13 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,
Psa 105:14 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
Psa 105:15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”

Obviously, the verse refers to the relationships that Abraham and Isaac had with Pharaoh and Abimelech, as described in Genesis. The psalmist’s point is that God protected the ancestors of Israel, even when they showed their weakness by lying to the pagan kings.

It has nothing to do with church leaders today, who must be called to account for their public sins and, when repentant, be forgiven and rehabilitated.