Temple Baptist Church - 3-10-2024
Psalm 119:81-88
Introduction:
A. Tonight, we come to the 11th stanza of Psalm 119 along with the accompanying 11th Letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. These 22 stanzas of the Psalm show the relationship of the believer to the Word of God.
B. The 11th letter of the Hebrew alphabet is CAPH כַּ. Once again, each of the 8 verses in this 11th stanza, when written in Hebrew, begin with the letter CAPH. With that being said, we need to have a proper definition or meaning for the letter.
C. CAPH כַּ – A hollow place such as the palm of a hand, a bowl, or a basin. A container. In type a place where the believer seems to be trapped and cannot get out of or a point which he cannot pass.
D. In this portion of Psalm 119, we find that the Psalmist is in an extreme situation from which he can neither resolve nor can he escape it. There is a Latin phrase, in extremis, meaning “at the point of death" or “in the farthest reaches.” His situation is grave.
E. Verses 88-89 are the two middle verses of Psalm 119 as verse 88 ends the first half and 89 begins the second half. Our stanza, the 11th (verses 81-88) out of 22 stanzas, this forms the octave which has been called “the midnight of the psalm.” The Psalmist’s enemies have brought him to the lowest condition of anguish and depression; yet he is faithful to keep the Word of God (testimony) while remaining trustful in his God.
F. At some time in life, most of us find ourselves is such a strait. A place that seems like we will never escape or get victory over in our own strength. Thus, the importance of the Word of God to the needy.
G. Let’s look at three of our verses as they make up the introduction and meaning of the stanza.
Psalms 119:84-86 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? (85) The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. (86) All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
1. The promise of persecution. “persecute” is used twice in these three verses. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
a) This world hated Christ before it hated us. We to him “without the camp” as bear His reproach. The “god of this world” has reproduced from himself “God” haters! John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
b) This world hates ALL who try to live godly lives as that kind of life exposes the world’s ungodliness. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
2. The individuality of persecution. “me” There is and, from the days of Cain and Abel, always has been individual hatred. Why? Because Abel’s sacrifice was godly, and Cain’s was not! They persecuted Christ, and they will persecute us!
3. The trap of persecution. “have digged pits” Pits means a “pit fall” or a “chasm.” These were normally traps for large animals, dug deep and camouflaged by covering with wood and sod. A place of no escape such as Joseph’s brothers placed him into. Psalms 119:85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
4. The injustice of persecution. “not after thy law … persecute me wrongfully” These persecutors use the law unlawfully. We see much of that today as the justice system is weaponized against an enemy or opponent. Psalms 94:20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
H. It is such a condition that we find the Palmist. It is not a place of his making. It is a place of containment from which there is seemingly no human way of escape. A place of impending death.
1. Verse 81. The darkness of the hour. “My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word!”
a. This is not fainting for a few minutes they then regathering of self allows one to get over it. I try to drive home to our people the importance of these supposedly “archaic” words so described by the liberal theologians.
b. “fainteth!” The result of open-ended waiting. The “eth” ending of faint means that it is in the continuing present tense. He has been here for a long time and sees no change coming in the immediate future.
c. The Psalmist knows that the only deliverance that will negate the persecution must come from the Lord.
d. “for thy salvation” Though fainting, the Psalmist is “hanging in there!” Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
e. His faith is rightly placed. “I hope in thy Word.” The relationship of the Word of God and our hope!
2. Verses 82-83. The dimness of the eye. “Mine eyes fail … I am become like a bottle in the smoke!”
a. Smoke, like the morning fog, obscures from seeing properly. I remember driving across Florida when the wildfires were out of control and smoke was so thick on the highways that they shut some of them down. No one could see well enough to drive.
b. Thus, it is with ongoing troubles in life. They begin to shroud life in general as they completely occupy our thinking and lives while dimming our spiritual eyes. When you cannot track God, you then learn to trust Him.
c. One of my favorite verses: Psalms 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
d. The Psalmist’s comfort will be found in the seen promises of an unseen work. “When wilt thou comfort me? … yet do I not forget thy statutes.”
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3. Verse 84. The dilemma of the saint. Will justice come in my lifetime? Psalms 119:84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
a. The Psalmist did not know the length of his life. There are times when God answers prayers or brings about justice after the death of the one seeking it. God’s time is not on our time, His thoughts are not our thoughts nor His ways our ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
b. The Psalmist asks that oft asked request. When not if? One day, we know that God will bring to light the things of darkness and His justice will be swift, sure, and full.
4. Verse 87. Relying on the promises of God. The Lord maketh no mistake in His operations. The Psalmist may not know how long, but he knows that God is faithful to both His Word and His people.
5. Verse 88. Resting in the love of God. The Psalmist rests on the knowledge that the Lord will not forsake His own but will raise them up to sit on high. There is life before the trial and there will be life during the trial and there will be life after the trial.
Conclusion: Hebrews 10:35-39 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
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