Weekly Introduction: Because the psalmist is living his life according to the precepts of God’s Word, he is able to rejoice in the life God has given him as he successfully navigates the unexpected turns and potential pitfalls of life. I pray that you will sense the joy of the psalmist as we look at the next 8 verses presented under the heading of the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

 (Kaph) – The eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet begins this 8-verse section

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word (vs 81).

We often think of the word “salvation” as having only a spiritual connotation, but the word also has a physical connotation, meaning “deliverance” from trials, or from an enemy. In this case, as we shall see, the psalmist is longing for God to deliver him from one who is persecuting him, and he is putting all his hope in God and His Word that his deliverance will be accomplished.

My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me” (vs 82)?

The psalmist undoubtedly lies awake at night, with eyes failing, looking for God’s promise of deliverance by morning. And while he waits, he is asking the question we all ask in times of distress: “How long, O Lord, do I have to wait for You to comfort me?”

Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees (vs 83).

A wineskin in the smoke? What is that all about? Conditioning a wineskin for use by exposing it to smoke would cause it to shrink, dry up, and become hardened. By using this phrase, the psalmist is comparing the condition of the wineskin to the effects of his current situation, a situation that seems to be without any useful sense or purpose. And so, although he doesn’t see any benefit in his troubles at the present time, he will not forget God’s decrees.

How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors (vs 84)?

Now the psalmist makes it clear that he is waiting for God to punish his persecutors. As with each of us, we want relief from those who make our lives difficult, and we plead, “Lord, don’t make me wait too long!”

The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law (vs 85).

Just like a hunter would dig a pit in order to trap an animal, the psalmist says that this is just what his persecutors are doing to him. In fact, it looks like it wasn’t just one pit they were digging, but several pits to entrap him. Certainly, by doing this, they are acting contrary to God’s law. For the psalmist, he feels that the arrogant are out to get him because of his commitment to God’s Word.

All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause (vs 86).

And now the psalmist proclaims that all of God’s commands are trustworthy, that is, they can be trusted to bring blessings upon those who keep them, and deliverance for those who seek it. And with that, he is crying out for help, because he is being persecuted without cause. His persecutors are simply out to get him, even though he has done nothing wrong.

They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts (vs 87).

The psalmist certainly feels exhausted and at the end of his tether. When most would “throw in the towel,” the psalmist declares that he will not cease to wait for the Lord to intervene, nor will he ever forsake God’s precepts.

In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth (vs 88).

At the end of this section, the psalmist uses the most significant word in the Hebrew language (hesed) to express God’s character – His unfailing love, or His faithful love. He pleads with God to preserve his life in the midst of the pain that his adversaries are inflicting upon him, and the reason he wants to continue living is because he wants to have the privilege of continuing to obey the statutes that have come from God’s own mouth on Mount Sinai hundreds of years prior.

Some of you may be facing some persistent adversaries, or at least some challenging adversities at this time in your life. Let’s all be like the psalmist and not turn away from God or from His statutes. In fact, let’s run to him for love and comfort. And, of course, let’s all be patient for the Lord to intervene in our situation.

May the Lord richly bless you in every way.