Psalms in a BibleThe Psalms

Psalms 119:81-88 CAPH

My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.  
(82)  My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”  
(83)  For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet 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 proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.  
(86)  All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully; Help me!  
(87)  They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.  
(88)  Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

Keywords of God’s Law: Word, Statues, Judgment, Law, Commandments, Precepts, Testimony

Welcome! We are just reaching the mid-point of this longest chapter in the Bible.

Does the Psalmist feel the pain of a long chapter? Probably not. The plan was to write a section for each of the 22 Hebrew Alphabet characters. It would be like asking Shakespeare if he was too tired to write the remaining of one of his plays. Or, asking James Michener, “Must you write such lengthy novels?” You’ll never hear me asking that because the story is never finished until the writer/author is finished.

Even then, I’m always looking for more!

It seems this section is very focused on the mistreatment received at the hands of those who are not Godly. When we constantly stand up to the challenges of living a Godly life, it may seem all we see is negative. But there is hope! That last verse says it all…

Revive Me!


Psalms 119 Explanation: Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the bible. But remember. Psalms contain individual writings from multiple sources, so each “chapter” is like an eBook. Most psalms are better read as one would a poem. Break the chapter into small subsections of a sentence, and you’ll get the idea.

B.C. 444, This Psalm, which was probably composed by Ezra, is another of the alphabetical Psalms. It consists of twenty-two parts, answering to the number of the Hebrew letters, every part being divided into eight verses, and each verse beginning with that letter which forms the title of the part; that is, the first part of eight verses with א, the second with ב, etc. It is an elegant, important, and useful composition, the chief subjects of which are the excellence of God’s laws and the happiness of those who observe them.

Each psalm references God’s Word using many phrases and words:
Law, Testimonies, Precepts, Commandments, Statues, etc.

By Michael Gurley

Making Sense of Life, One Thought at a Time!