Day 11 of the 119th Psalm, verses 81-88.
“Kaph
“81 My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope in Your Word.
“82 My eyes long for Your promise; I ask, ‘When will You comfort me?’
“83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten Your statutes.
“84 How long must Your servant endure? When will You judge those who persecute me?
“85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to Your Law.
“86 All Your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
“87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
“88 In Your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of Your mouth.”
– Psalm 119:81-88
THE BREAKDOWN
Verse 81: This is a prayer of hope for the coming salvation in Messiah Yeshua.
Verse 82: The promise could refer to the salvation of the Messiah or just the promise of comfort that YHWH gives us.
Verse 83: A wineskin in smoke becomes dried and useless for holding wine. The writer is describing his weary condition of life or circumstances and declaring that his current state won’t stop him from keeping the commandments.
Verse 84: A prayer for justice for those who persecute the righteous.
Verse 85: Those who seek to harm the righteous are ones who do not live according to God’s Law.
Verse 86: A prayer for help from those who accuse the righteous with falsehoods.
Verse 87: Again, the persecution of the righteous shouldn’t keep us from following God’s Law.
Verse 88: A prayer for an extended life so the writer can keep the commandments of God and proclaim His testimonies to those around him.
Lord, Thank you for letting us live in a time when we can know the Messiah. Teach us not to focus on our persecution but to keep our eyes on You and Your commandments. Give us more length of life so we can teach Your ways to others. Amen.
Shalom.