Waw
41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
for ever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands towards your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favour with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
The next three sections of the Psalm seem also to belong together in such a way as to enable us to gather one central message from them. In 41-48, which commentators have variously entitled as a prayer for grace and courage, a prayer that the Word may be the Psalmist's support in all his worldly concerns, as the inspiration of his testimony, the theme relates to the duty of bearing testimony, and the resources needed to witness a good confession. As such, it is similar in content to Paul's striking words in 1 Timothy 6:11ff, 'Fight the good fight of faith...'. Here, then, is the Psalmist praying for the mercies of God to come to him, so that, thus enriched and equipped, he might be able to give a reason for the hope that is within him. It is a thought echoed also by Paul in 2 Corinthi- ans 4:1ff, '...as we have received mercy, we faint not...'. Blessed by the divine mercy, our lips are opened to bear witness to him, for so our hearts are enlarged and enriched that we have something real to say to the world. Here is an important prescription for spiritual life. When witness is faltering, what we need is not so much new and better techniques, but a new experience of the mercy of God. If our hearts are really touched with the divine mercy, if mercy seems a wonderful and glorious thing, gripping us and thrilling our souls, then our lips will be opened to speak well of Him. The quality and extent of the answer to the psalmist's prayer in 41 is unfolded graphically throughout the section. First of all, lips are opened (42) to testify to God's word and grace, and facility and fluency given (43) - the lips and the mouth remain open, and there is an ongoing testimony. It is not a 'flash in the pan', but a settled characteristic of life. Next, there is a sense of liberation given (45). A man is brought into a large place by the Word, and he 'comes into his own'. Thirdly, testimony 'before kings' (46) has a twofold reference: on the one hand it speaks of the extent of the influence that such a testimony can have; on the other hand, it speaks of the dignity that the Word imparts to life. It creates stature in a man. In 47, 48, the delight in the Word indicates how far removed this is from any barren, restricting legalism. This is liberty indeed.