Divison 20 (Resh)
Faithfulness in persecution, hatred of evil, and love of the truth.
(vv. 153-154 ) The psalmist is conscious that God is not indifferent to the trials of those who remain faithful to His Word. Therefore he appeals to the Lord to look upon his affliction. Moreover, the interest of God’s people must be God’s interest; therefore the psalmist can put his case into God’s hands. Without attempting to answer his enemies, he seeks that God would plead his cause, deliver him from his afflictions, and keep his soul in the energy of life.
(vv. 155-157) Surrounded by the wicked, who have no respect for God’s Word, and who hate and persecute the godly, he remains faithful to God; as he says, “Yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.” He finds that his enemies are “many” (JND). Again he appeals to be quickened, or sustained in a life according to the Word.
(vs. 158) Faithful to the Lord and His Word, he shrinks from the ways of the transgressors who care nothing for the Word. Their ways are a grief to the godly man.
(vv. 159-160) If the evil of transgressors is hated, it is because the truth is loved. Thus the psalmist can say, “I love thy precepts.” The evil that he hates will pass away; the truth that he loves will endure forever.
Thus the godly man is marked by faithfulness in persecution, hatred of evil, and love of the truth he draws encouragement in his present distress.
MISSING PAGES 206-207
(vv. 2-4) The remaining verses of the psalm present the occasion of the distress. First, the godly man finds himself in a world of corruption. “Lying lips” proclaim that which is false; “a deceitful tongue” affects to speak the truth. The lies of the world are often hidden under an affectation of the truth. Plausible words may be a cover for deadly error. The psalmist realizes that judgment upon judgment is coming upon the wicked man; therefore he asks, “What shall be given unto thee? or, what shall be added unto thee?” It is not, however, for the godly man to vindicate himself: Christ, the Mighty One, (JND) will use sharp arrows and fire, against those who have spoken evil of His people (Psa. 14:55There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. (Psalm 14:5)).
(vs. 5) Secondly, the godly man deplores that he is still in a foreign land, captive to those who treat him with hostility and barbarity.
(vv. 6-7) Thirdly, the godly man is in the midst of the violent world. For long he has dwelt with those who hate peace.
Thus, though a captive in a world of corruption and violence he finds his resource in God.