Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 119:81-88

"My soul fainteth for thy salvation; [But] I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. LAMEDH. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth." — Psalms 119:81-88 (ASV)

The psalmist sought deliverance from his sins, his enemies, and his fears. Hope deferred made him faint; his eyes failed from looking out for this expected salvation. But when the eyes fail, faith must not. His affliction was great.

He had become like a leather bottle, which, if hung up in the smoke, is dried and shriveled up. We must always be mindful of God's statutes. The days of the believer's mourning will be ended; they are but for a moment, compared with eternal happiness. His enemies used craft as well as power for his ruin, in contempt for the law of God.

The commandments of God are true and faithful guides in the path of peace and safety. We may best expect help from God when, like our Master, we do well and suffer for it. Wicked men may almost consume the believer on earth, but he would rather forsake all than forsake the word of the Lord.

We should depend on the grace of God for strength to do every good work. The surest sign of God's goodwill toward us is his good work in us.