Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

This verse suggests that the discipline he experienced in verse 76 came to him in the form of un- just lies and criticism. The psalmist responded by humbling himself and delighting once again in the laws of God. Now he turns their judgment over to the ‘Just One’ and returns to ‘meditation’ (concentra- tion) on the depths of the Word. It’s best to leave the negative behind and focus on the great promises of God.

“Let me be reconciled with all who fear you and know your decrees.” (79)

In the time of lies and deceit there was a separation of godly people from his life. The reconciliation spoken of here ‘is a turning towards him for the purpose of learning; may their knowledge be enriched from his experience.’ 16 Seeing God’s discipline and restoring mercy is a rich lesson for all.

“May I be blameless in keeping your principles; then I will never have to be ashamed.” (80)

‘Blameless’ is the description of some of the most revered persons in the Bible: • Noah- “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Gen. 6:9) • Job- “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8) The great miracle of New Testament faith is that we are made blameless before God the moment we receive Christ: “for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Eph. 1:4) This inspires the believer to live sincerely before God.

Kaph k

“I faint with longing for your salvation; but I have put my hope in your word.” (81)

This is the most intense desire possible, if he had it in any greater measure he would faint. The en- tire ‘Kaph’ section is filled with this deep longing.

“My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?” (82)

There is an appointed end to the time of suffering, we are to place our confidence in his promise until that moment: “After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” (1 Pet. 5:10)

“I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But I cling to your principles and obey them.” (83)

Wineskins were ‘smoked’ to harden them; perhaps this was an image that the affliction he is facing is very difficult to endure. In the New Testament Jesus uses the imagery of the wineskin to describe the new nature given to us that will contain the life of the Spirit: ”And no one puts new wine into old wine- skins. The old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. That way both the wine and the wineskins are preserved.” (Mt. 9:17)

“How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? (84)

The writer is asking God how long he must live in the circumstance of persecution as the days of his life are so few. This is not a momentary affliction but a prolonged season of opposition that he must endure.

“These arrogant people who hate your law have dug deep pits for me to fall into.” (85)

He is reminding God that the arrogant people have ‘dug pits’ to trap him which is contrary to his com- mands: “Suppose someone digs or uncovers a well (pit) and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey

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