Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.
Pe
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous for ever,
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous for ever;
give me understanding that I may live.
We should note the 'mixture' of righteousness, pressure from enemies, love for the Word, and zeal for God in 137-144, and also the contrast between the Psalmist's own sense of smallness and insignificance and the greatness of the divine will and purpose. Trouble and anguish may be his lot, but - he is caught up in the divine purposes and given a place therein. That for him is the overwhelming reality which makes all the difference in the world. Looking at these three sections together we are able to observe the progression, in a unified theme: in 126, 'It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law'; in 136, 'Rivers of water run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law'; in 139, 'My zeal hath consumed me because mine enemies have forgotten thy words'. First, there is the indignation at the making void the law, and the prayer for God to work; then the tears and sorrow at the godlessness all around; then, finally, the zeal - leading to action. Here is a programme for action indeed! And the zeal that has its origin in this kind of progression, with the action that issues from it will always be both fervent and controlled, since it has its origin in the righteousness of God. One thinks of a similar progression in Paul's words in Romans: 'I am proud (of the gospel) - I am debtor (to the Greeks and to the barbarians) - I am ready (to preach the gospel)', ready indeed for anything (Romans 1:14-16).