Psalm 119:25-32
is the fourth stanza of this psalm, and every line or verse begins with the fourth
letter of the Hebrew alphabet “Daleth”, in the Hebrew Bible. The
previous stanza or section ended with the psalmist delighting in God's Word,
and this one opens with him down in the dust! The enemy attacks us the hardest
when we are enjoying the blessings of God, and we must expect it. When things
are going well and we "feel good," it is dangerous to relax and lay
aside the armor (Eph. 6:10-18). "We must be as watchful after the victory
as before the battle," said Andrew Bonar, and he was right. When he found
himself down, the psalmist knew what to do—he prayed!
The first
thing he prayed for was for the LORD to, "Revive me"
(v. 25). Remember back in verse 23, his enemies were slandering his name. Later
we read in verse 61, they were restricting him, lying about him (v. 69),
causing him to suffer (v. 83) and be despised (v. 141), and even threatening
his life (v. 109). So it is no wonder that he felt like an insect in the dust.
But when we seem to be at our worst, the Lord comes along with the very best
and gives us the grace that we need. Remember the Apostle Paul’s testimony in 2
Corinthians 1:3-11 and in 12:1-10.
The Hebrew
word for “revive" is sometimes translated, “preserve my
life," but much more is involved in this request. It involves saving
his life, of course, but also invigorating him and breathing new life within
him. The psalmist prayed this prayer often (vv. 25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107,
149, 154, 56, 159), and the Lord answered him each time.
He also prayed,“Teach me" (vv. 26-27). Too often we ask, "How can I get
out of this trouble?" when we should be asking, "What can I get out
of this experience?" In times of trouble, we need God's wisdom lest we
waste our suffering (James 1:2-8). The psalmist knew there were still lessons
to learn in the school of life and he did not want to miss them. He talked to
the Lord about what was happening to him, and the Lord answered by giving him
wisdom and strength. By faith, he expected to see God's wonders displayed in
the midst of his battles.
He prayed, "Strengthen
me" (vv. 28-30). Throughout the psalm, the writer makes it clear
that he is suffering because of his commitment to God and His Word (vv. 28, 50,
67, 71, 75, 83, 92, 107, 143, 153). He was actually risking his life to obey
the Lord (v. 109). Yet he did not rage against his enemies and seek to destroy
them; rather, he wept over them and turned them over to God (vv. 115, 136). All
he wanted was strength to keep on living for the Lord and magnifying His Word.
He discovered that God's grace was indeed all that he needed (2 Cor. 12:9). He
would walk in the way of God's truth and avoid the enemy's way of deception
(vv. 29-30, 104, 128). When we find ourselves pressured by the enemy, our first
response is usually to pray that God will change them, when perhaps our best
response would be that God would change us and enable us to overcome.
He then
prayed, "Defend me" (vv. 31-32). The writer did not
want to bring shame to the name of the Lord (vv. 31, 46, 78, 80), so he turned
the situation over to Him by faith. If we think up clever schemes to defend
ourselves and slander others, then the Lord will not be able to defend us (Rom.
12:17-21). As we hold to His Word and trust His promises, the Lord is able to
work in His way and in His time. Faith delivers us from the confinement of the
enemy's plots and sets us free to enjoy a larger place. The psalmist has gone
from biting the dust (v. 25) to running freely in the way of the Lord! (See vv.
45, 96; 4:1 and 18:36.)
The Word of
God and prayer are inseparable. I like what Oswald Chambers said, It is not so
much that prayer changes things, but that prayer changes me, and I change
things!”
God bless!
