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 theme of 41-48 forms a good background and context against which to consider that of the next (49-56), where once again the Psalmist is under pressure and affliction (as in 25-32). This serves to remind us that the ideas of stature, liberation, and de- light expressed in 41-48 are not incompatible with affliction and being cast down. But the one (41-48) is the foil to the other (49-56), and the latter needs to be looked at in the light of the former. Here, then, is the message: there is comfort, in time of affliction, through the Word of fife. The meaning in 49, 50 is: 'remember the Word given to me, because thou hast made me hope, i.e. hast comforted me by promising me a blessed issue in my trouble'. It is the kind of thought expressed by Paul in Philippians 4:6, 7, when he speaks of the peace of God that passes understanding. Here is the Psalmist passing through a time of affliction, worry and anxiety. It could be any of several situations - that of a believer trying to maintain a faithful witness to Christ, and coming up against the scorn and contempt of his fellows, which he finds hard to bear; that of a burden of a society in declension, appalling and depressing the spirit when involved in an ongoing work of the gospel and seeing little or no response; that of a more personal and private problem, even a health question, that keeps a man from sleep at night (as in 55). In his burden and distress the Psalmist has betaken himself to the Word, and that word has become alive for him, as the divine promises glow and gleam like lights in the darkness. Or, possibly, it is that he has known this to happen in the past, and he is looking now to God for the same to happen in this present time of affliction. This is a great way to pray, in time of trouble. And we may surely do so with confidence, for when God gives us His Word, He binds Himself to us, and obliges Himself to help us. It is this remembrance that brings comfort to the Psalmist's heart, and songs to his lips.