73 With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.
74 When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad.
75 I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right.
76 Oh, love me - and right now! - hold me tight! just the way you promised. 77 Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
78 Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance.
80 And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.
81 I'm homesick - longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope. 82 My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort?
83 There's smoke in my eyes - they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.
84 How long do I have to put up with all this? How long till you haul my tormentors into court?
85 The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways. 86 Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help! 87 They've pushed and pushed - they never let up - but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel.
88 In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.
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.