God’s Word Is Faithful

Commentary

The psalmist stated that his soul almost fainted while waiting for God’s Word (vv. 81-82). The focus is on the believer’s response while he waits for the Lord to judge his enemies and deliver him from persecution and danger. The psalmist says “How Long” (v. 84), and “When” (vv. 82, 84) as he patiently waits. Satan has been seeking to exterminate the Jews (v. 87). The writer speaks of:

1. Distorted conditions (vv. 81-83). We see two elements of his condition that are abnormal:
   1. Fainting – “My soul fainteth for Thy salvation: but I hope in Thy Word” (v. 81). He is saying that he has no other hope, than his hope in God’s unfailing Word.
   2. Failing – “Mine eyes fail for Thy Word, saying, when wilt thou comfort me. For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statues” (vv. 82-83). The problem with many of us is when we run into that dry spell in our life,  we give up.
2. Desperate circumstances (vv. 84-87).
   1. Delay – “When wilt thou execute judgement on them that persecute me” (v. 84)? When God does not seem to answer prayer, it may seem like all eternity is passing us by.
   2. Device – “The proud have dug pits for me, which are not after Thy law” (v. 85). Some who plotted against the psalmist knew the law, but abused and misused it.
   3. Defense – “All Thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me” (v. 86). The writer comes to the conclusion that if God does not help, no one will.
   4. Determination – “They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not Thy precepts” (v. 87). V. Rayman Edman is known for saying, “It is always to soon to quit.”
3. Desirable change (v. 88).
   1. Revival – “Quicken me after Thy loving-kindness..” (v. 88a). He wants to be made lively.
   2. Restoration – “…so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth” (v. 88b). When he is at his lowest time he still desires to be used of God.

Application

In this world that doesn’t like to wait for anything I want to be able to wait patiently on the Lord. I know that this will never happen without me turning everything over to Him.