Psalm 119:81 - Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet

Audio Bible

Context

Your Word is a Lamp to My Feet
…80May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame. 81My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. 82My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”…

Cross References

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.Lamentations 3:25-26
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. / It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.Psalm 42:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?Psalm 130:5-6
I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. / My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning—more than watchmen wait for the morning.Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Isaiah 26:8
Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.Psalm 62:1
For the choirmaster. According to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.Psalm 25:5
Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.1 Thessalonians 1:3
and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Psalm 119:20,40
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times…

Psalm 42:1,2
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God…

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

but I

Psalm 119:42,74,77,114
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word…

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Psalm 119

My soul faints for Your salvation;
This phrase expresses a deep longing and desperation for divine intervention and deliverance. The psalmist's use of "soul" indicates an intense, heartfelt yearning that encompasses his entire being. In the biblical context, "salvation" often refers to deliverance from enemies or distress, but it also points to spiritual salvation and redemption. This longing can be seen throughout the Psalms, where the writers frequently cry out to God for rescue and relief (e.g., Psalm 42:1-2). The imagery of fainting suggests exhaustion and a sense of urgency, reflecting the psalmist's dependence on God. This mirrors the experience of many believers who, in times of trial, find themselves yearning for God's saving power. Theologically, this can be connected to the ultimate salvation found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises of deliverance and redemption for all who believe.

I wait for Your word.
The act of waiting here implies patience and trust in God's timing and promises. "Your word" refers to God's promises and commands as revealed in Scripture. The psalmist's reliance on God's word highlights the importance of Scripture as a source of hope and guidance. In the historical context, the Israelites often found themselves in situations where they had to wait for God's deliverance, such as during the Babylonian exile. This waiting is not passive but involves active faith and expectation. The connection to other scriptures, such as Isaiah 40:31, emphasizes the strength and renewal that come from waiting on the Lord. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to wait for the fulfillment of God's promises through Christ, who is the living Word (John 1:1). This phrase underscores the believer's reliance on God's faithfulness and the assurance that His word will come to pass.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Psalmist
The author of Psalm 119, traditionally believed to be King David, though the exact authorship is uncertain. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for God's deliverance and guidance.

2. God
The central figure to whom the psalmist directs his plea for salvation and whose word he eagerly awaits.

3. Salvation
The deliverance or rescue that the psalmist seeks, which can be understood both in a temporal sense (deliverance from earthly troubles) and a spiritual sense (eternal salvation).

Teaching Points

Longing for Salvation
The psalmist's soul "faints" for God's salvation, indicating an intense desire and need for divine intervention. This teaches us to cultivate a deep yearning for God's presence and deliverance in our lives.

Waiting on God's Word
The act of waiting for God's word implies trust and patience. In our fast-paced world, we are reminded to slow down and trust in God's timing and promises.

Faith in God's Promises
The psalmist's waiting is not passive but filled with hope and expectation. We are encouraged to hold onto God's promises with faith, even when immediate answers are not visible.

Spiritual Perseverance
The psalmist's perseverance in seeking God despite feeling faint teaches us the importance of spiritual endurance in our walk with God.

The Role of Scripture
The psalmist's reliance on God's word highlights the importance of Scripture as a source of hope and guidance. We should immerse ourselves in the Bible to strengthen our faith and understanding.

CAPH.

(81) Fainteth.--The same Hebrew word as fail in the next verse.

Verse 81. - My soul fainteth for thy salvation (comp. Psalm 84:2). The phrase used expresses the most intense desire possible. But I hope in thy Word. (So also ver. 74.) While almost fainting, the psalmist is sustained by his hope and trust in God's promises. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

My soul
נַפְשִׁ֑י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

faints
כָּלְתָ֣ה (kā·lə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

for Your salvation;
לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣ (liṯ·šū·‘ā·ṯə·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8668: Deliverance, salvation

I wait
יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ (yi·ḥā·lə·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3176: To wait, to be patient, hope

for Your word.
לִדְבָרְךָ֥ (liḏ·ḇā·rə·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

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Psalm 119:81 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 119:81 My soul faints for your salvation (Psalm Ps Psa.)