73 <JOD> Your hands have made me, and given me form: give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your teaching.
74 Your worshippers will see me and be glad; because my hope has been in your word.
75 I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.
76 Let your mercy now be my comfort, as you have said to your servant. 77 Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the men of pride be shamed; because they have falsely given decision against me; but I will give thought to your orders. 79 Let your worshippers be turned to me, and those who have knowledge of your words.
80 Let all my heart be given to your orders, so that I may not be put to shame.
81 <CAPH> My soul is wasted with desire for your salvation: but I have hope in your word. 82 My eyes are full of weariness with searching for your word, saying, When will you give me comfort?
83 For I have become like a wine-skin black with smoke; but I still keep the memory of your rules.
84 How short is the life of your servant! when will you give your decision against those who are attacking me?
85 The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me. 86 All your teachings are certain; they go after me with evil design; give me your help. 87 They had almost put an end to me on earth; but I did not give up your orders.
88 Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 119:73-88
Commentary on Psalm 119:73-80
(Read Psalm 119:73-80)
God made us to serve him, and enjoy him; but by sin we have made ourselves unfit to serve him, and to enjoy him. We ought, therefore, continually to beseech him, by his Holy Spirit, to give us understanding. The comforts some have in God, should be matter of joy to others. But it is easy to own, that God's judgments are right, until it comes to be our own case. All supports under affliction must come from mercy and compassion. The mercies of God are tender mercies; the mercies of a father, the compassion of a mother to her son. They come to us when we are not able to go to them. Causeless reproach does not hurt, and should not move us. The psalmist could go on in the way of his duty, and find comfort in it. He valued the good will of saints, and was desirous to keep up his communion with them. Soundness of heart signifies sincerity in dependence on God, and devotedness to him.
Commentary on Psalm 119:81-88
(Read Psalm 119:81-88)
The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his foes, and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed by looking out for this expected salvation. But when the eyes fail, yet faith must not. His affliction was great. He was become like a leathern bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and shrivelled up. We must ever be mindful of God's statutes. The days of the believer's mourning shall be ended; they are but for a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used craft as well as power for his ruin, in contempt of the law of God. The commandments of God are true and faithful guides in the path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when, like our Master, we do well and suffer for it. Wicked men may almost consume the believer upon earth, but he would sooner forsake all than forsake the word of the Lord. We should depend upon the grace of God for strength to do every good work. The surest token of God's good-will toward us, is his good work in us.