This is still the cry of the same sufferer, by reason of the pressure of the same enemy. He is here under the sense of being completely shut up, having no present resources, while his enemies are many, their plots against him daily, their enmity to him the subject of all their thoughts. Gatherings, hidings, and waitings of them against him are now what he sees or apprehends continually.
The word or promise of God is all his resource—not present strength, but the word of promise—God’s remembrance of him; God’s bottling of his tears; telling his wanderings or sorrows. This is all he has now, the remembrance of God, as Noah had it in the ark (Gen. 8:1), and as this same afflicted people will have by and by, according to Malachi’s anticipation of them (Mal. 3:16). The word is the hope of the sufferer here, and he assures himself that the chief occasion of his praise by and by will be the word also, or the accomplishing of what he now believes and hopes. As the Apostle says, “I know whom I have believed.” It is not that there is present deliverance, but there is promise, and faith can listen to that and receive it as the pledge of future praise.
Such should just be the state of our souls. They should rest in the promises, knowing that they will be made good, and become the theme of constant delight. We are never straitened in “the word” or the promises. They are all we want. We need only the faith to enjoy them with full ease of heart. As this poor sufferer anticipates occasions of praise and the payment of his vows, in the light of the living.