Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:87

"They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. LAMEDH." — Psalms 119:87 (ASV)

They had almost consumed me upon earth - The word that is translated here as “consumed” is the same that is used in Psalms 119:81, and is rendered there as “fainteth.” See the notes on that verse. The idea is that their persecutions had been so severe and long-continued that his strength was almost exhausted; he was ready to faint and die.

But I forsook not thy precepts - I still adhered to you, even in the extremity of my suffering. The effect of persecution was not to drive me from you, or to lead me to abandon you. See Psalms 119:61, note; Psalms 119:69, note.