God's Promise

153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.
154 Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.
155 The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.
156 Lord, how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
157 Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
158 Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
because they care nothing for your word.
159 See how I love your commandments, Lord.
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
160 The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.

Again the psalmist laments. Are you tiring of these laments? Maybe a guess at the psalmist’s circumstances could help our understanding.

As we noted earlier, some people have suggested that King David of Israel wrote Psalm 119. David was a musician, and he did write a number of psalms. In fact, many of the songs and prayers in the book of Psalms are attributed to David, such as Psalms 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, and many others.

David’s psalms also include many laments. Several times in his life, David was on the run, pursued by enemies who wanted to kill him. A number of psalms even include a headline note about such episodes in David’s life (see Psalms 52-59 and 1 Samuel 19-24).

So in some sections of Psalm 119, the writer may remind us of David and the struggles he faced. Though the writer may not have been David, this psalm could have been written “in the tradition of” David, at least in some of its parts. And that could have provided Israel a helpful teaching tool, encouraging later generations to remember God’s care for one of their greatest kings: David.

The plea “preserve my life, according to your promise” can apply generally to all believers, but it can also remind people that one day God gave David a unique promise. God promised to establish David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7)—and today we know that Jesus, our Redeemer born into the line of David, has accomplished that.

“Your compassion, Lord, is great”; preserve our lives according to your Word. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.