Division 6 (Vau)
A prayer for the Lord’s deliverance, that the godly man may silence the reproaches of the wicked.
(vv. 41-43) The psalmist looks to the Lord for deliverance from his enemies according to the Word. Thus will there be an answer to those who reproach him with being forsaken of God. He had put his trust in God’s Word; if abandoned of God the Word of truth would be utterly taken out of his mouth. He would have no answer to the reproaches of the wicked. He has confidence in delivering grace, for his hope is in God’s judgments.
(vv. 44-48) In the confidence of an answer to his prayer, the psalmist anticipates the blessedness of God’s deliverance. The delivered man, free from the opposition and reproaches of the enemy, would continually keep the law and walk in liberty. In freedom of soul he would have no shame in speaking of God’s testimonies before the greatest on earth. This, surely, is ever God’s order from His servants: first, to “keep” the Word in the soul; followed by a right “walk” ―the Word having its practical effect in the life; finally, to “speak” to others, the lips speaking of that which is expressed in the life.
Further, the heart of the godly man delights in that of which he speaks. Loving the Lord’s commandments his lips find no shame in speaking of that which fills his heart (cf. Psa. 14:1). He would openly avow his allegiance to God’s commands―for such is the force of lifting up the hands―with no mere lip profession, but as an avowal of the law that he loved. Moreover, that which he loves would be the theme of his meditations.