Daily Devotional Sunday 2nd June 2024

by William Moody

Psalm 119:73–96

Yodh

73   Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74   Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
75   I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76   Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
77   Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.
78   Let the insolent be put to shame,
    because they have wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79   Let those who fear you turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
80   May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

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?1
    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

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.

Footnotes

[1] 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?

(ESV)

As we continue Psalms on a Sunday, we come in verses 81-88 a section in which the Psalmist is looking for hope in the midst of opposition.

The salvation spoken of here (v81) probably means deliverance from his enemies and the current difficult situation he finds himself in. As he waits for deliverance his hope in the Lord is tied to the Lord’s word. He longs for the Lord’s promises to be fulfilled (v82) and for him to receive comfort. In darkest days, God’s word is how Christ’s light comes to us.

The Psalmist appears to feel like a dried-up wineskin (v83), he is exasperated at the length of time he is enduring this trial and he wants it to end (v84). But in the midst of this he still holds on to God’s word (v83b).

Those who make him suffer are described as ‘insolent’ schemers (v85), who use lies to attack him (v86). They are people who have no time for God’s commandments in their lives (v85) whereas the Psalmist loves, follows and wants to continue to keep God’s commands (v86-88). Is this you?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.