Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Psalms, Psalm 119:81-88                             

Psalm 119:81-88

Most people familiar with the Holy Scriptures know that the longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119. At least by the number of verses, 176 in all. Grouped in sections of eight verses each, the psalm is an exaltation of the greatness of God’s holy Word. In our Old Testament reading this week we dealt with the tragedy of bowing our ears and hearts to false proclamations made in the name of God. In our psalm for the week, we find the writer laboring to find the comfort that only God’s true Word brings: “My soul faints for Your salvation. but I hope in Your Word. My eyes fail from searching Your Word, saying, ‘When will You comfort me?’” (119:81-82).

You can hear the longing. You can just about feel the effort, yes effort, being spent on finding God’s truth in the treasure of His Word. It’s all His truth, but gems there are which require some mining. The psalms are rich with the full-bore texture of life lived in a world caught in the darkness. Then that penetrating light that draws the sinner, then enthralls and keeps him, brings comfort from a source that has no limit.

The psalmist asks “When will You comfort me?” and then closes this section by a grander declaration: “Revive me according to Your lovingkindness so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth” (119:88). His help, his life, his safety in the lovingkindness of the LORD comes from the testimony of His mouth. God’s mouth. The words of His lips never leave us wanting. Except for wanting yet more of His Word. No matter how long the wait.