Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgement and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh
89 For ever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
In 81-88 we see the Psalmist in 'the Slough of Despond'. The picture in the opening verses of the section is a very graphic and moving one. Yet one wonders whether 'Slough of Despond' is the best way of describing it, for the phrase suggests depression, which may or may not have outward causes or precipitating factors; and here the Psalmist is being oppressed and persecuted by his foes (84-86), and so beset by them that he is all but beaten down and put a finish to. As such, the section bears a message very similar to that in 25-32, and it tells us what to do when under extremes of pressure. The Psalmist's soul is fainting (81), but he hopes in the Word; he seems to sink deeper into the darkness in 82, and his heart is shrivelled in 83, but he does not forget God's Word. Yet, after verses in which the malevolence of his enemies is described and emphasised (85, 86), and he is conscious of almost going down under, he is nevertheless, in that dire extremity, holding grimly to the Word. We see, then, the dingdong battle, with the Psalmist finally emerging out of the extremity of it into faith, trust and confidence. Maclaren says of 88 that the Psalmist 'is heartened to pray for reviving, and to vow that then, bound by new chains of gratitude, he will, more than ever, observe God's testimonies. The measure of the new wine poured into the shrivelled wine-skin is nothing less than the measureless loving-kindness of God; and nothing but experience of His benefits melts to obedience.'