Division 11 (Caph)
The exercises of a saint whose prayer remains for a while unanswered.
(vv. 81-84) The godly man in trouble had looked to the Lord for comfort (vs. 76), but the answer is delayed and the pressure expands. He faints for deliverance; the eyes fail in looking for the fulfillment of the word. He becomes dried and withered in soul like a bottle in the smoke. Nevertheless, the deepening trial only serves to bring out his confidence in God. His soul may faint, but hope in the Word of God remains: his eyes may fail, but faith still looks to God for comfort. His soul may be withered, but it does not forget God’s statutes. Life is brief, the days are slipping away; when will God end the trial?
(vv. 85-87) In confidence of heart, the afflicted soul spreads out the trial before God. The proud had digged pits to entrap him; they persecuted him wrongfully; they almost consumed him from the land. Moreover, not only do the wicked oppose the people of God but, they oppose God Himself. Their actions are not after God’s law; they are wrongful in God’s sight; they forsake God’s precepts. God is not unmindful of the sorrows of the saints, and He cannot ignore the evil ways of the wicked.
(vs. 88) In the consciousness of this the saint turns to God, not only for outward deliverance, but for inward quickening that, revived in soul, he may be able to walk in obedience to the Word.