Divison 20 (Resh)
Faithfulness in persecution, hatred of evil, and love of the truth.
(vv. 153-154 ) The psalmist is conscious that God is not indifferent to the trials of those who remain faithful to His Word. Therefore he appeals to the Lord to look upon his affliction. Moreover, the interest of God’s people must be God’s interest; therefore the psalmist can put his case into God’s hands. Without attempting to answer his enemies, he seeks that God would plead his cause, deliver him from his afflictions, and keep his soul in the energy of life.
(vv. 155-157) Surrounded by the wicked, who have no respect for God’s Word, and who hate and persecute the godly, he remains faithful to God; as he says, “Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.” He finds that his enemies are “many” (JND). Again he appeals to be quickened, or sustained in a life according to the Word.
(vs. 158) Faithful to the Lord and His Word, he shrinks from the ways of the transgressors who care nothing for the Word. Their ways are a grief to the godly man.
(vv. 159-160) If the evil of transgressors is hated, it is because the truth is loved. Thus the psalmist can say, “I love thy precepts.” The evil that he hates will pass away; the truth that he loves will endure forever.
Thus the godly man is marked by faithfulness in persecution, hatred of evil, and love of the truth.