81 My soul languishes for Your salvation ; I wait for Your word . 82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word , While I say , "When will You comfort me?"
83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke , I do not forget Your statutes .
84 How many are the days of Your servant ? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me, Men who are not in accord with Your law . 86 All Your commandments are faithful ; They have persecuted me with a lie ; help me! 87 They almost destroyed me on earth , But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts .
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness , So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth . Lamedh.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:81-88
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.