87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
87 They've pushed and pushed - they never let up - but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel.
87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.
87 They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:87
Commentary on Psalm 119:81-88
(Read Psalm 119:81-88)
The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his foes, and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed by looking out for this expected salvation. But when the eyes fail, yet faith must not. His affliction was great. He was become like a leathern bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and shrivelled up. We must ever be mindful of God's statutes. The days of the believer's mourning shall be ended; they are but for a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used craft as well as power for his ruin, in contempt of the law of God. The commandments of God are true and faithful guides in the path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when, like our Master, we do well and suffer for it. Wicked men may almost consume the believer upon earth, but he would sooner forsake all than forsake the word of the Lord. We should depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good work. The surest token of God's good-will toward us, is his good work in us.