Read chapter in full: www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119
Psalm 119-6 (vv81-96)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Kaph – The Reliability of God’s Word
81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh – The Permanence of God’s Word
89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Reflection
- Ever feel like God has forgotten you? Perhaps you prayed your heart out and turned to the Bible for answers, but it seemed that God didn’t show up. This is the situation of the writer of this passage. He sank into the depths of despair.
- His hope is still in God. He longs for the fulfillment of God’s promises. He clings to God’s Word. But, where is God? To paraphrase verses 83-84, he is praying, “God, I’m drying up. How long must I hold on? How long will it be before you help me?” Yet, in spite of severe attacks by his enemies, he had remained true to God’s ways and requested safe keeping.
- In the second passage (vv89-96), at the point of desperation, the psalmist turns toward God in surrender and praise. He has not escaped the clutches of his despair, but he has turned toward his source of help.
- At the depths of his despair, the psalmist was moved to proclaim the sovereignty of God that God’s Word is firmly fixed – it is settled. God’s faithfulness endures. God made everything and He is in control of everything.
- Next time when you feel crushed down and defeated by life, turn to Psalm 119:89-96 and pray these verses to God.
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.
- Subtitle of each paragraph is from www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm