I’ve known for decades that God’s Word is mentioned in all but one or two of the 176 verses in Psalm 119.
Only recently (as in, a month of two ago) did I notice that each eight-verse section seems to have its own overarching theme. For example, this morning I read the section with verses 81-88:
- “My soul fainteth…”
- “Mine eyes fail…When wilt thou comfort me?”
- “For I am become like a bottle in the smoke…”
- “…them that persecute me?”
- “The proud have digged pits for me…”
- “…they persecute me wrongfully…”
- “They had almost consumed me…”
- “Quicken me after thy lovingkindness…”
For all that negativity the Psalmist was experiencing at the hands of others, he knew his survival and success depended on God and His Word. Though he was keenly aware of the wrongs others were inflicting on him, he didn’t let the wrongs or his tormentors become his focus at the expense of his Godward focus.
He asked God to comfort him (Psalm 119:82), help him (Psalm 119:86), and make him alive (Psalm 119:88).
He declared…
“…I hope in thy word” (Psalm 119:81).
“…yet do I not forget thy statutes” (Psalm 119:83).
“…but I forsook not thy precepts” (Psalm 119:87).
“…so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth” (Psalm 119:88)
Mark, let no opposition or injustice become your focus at the expense of Godward looking and Godward living.
Ditto for any other bad thing in your life.