HOPE FOR THE LORD'S SALVATION

Passage: Psalms 119:161-176

Key verse: 119:174

NIV

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(A) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(B) at your word.
162 I rejoice(C) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(D)
163 I hate and detest(E) falsehood
    but I love your law.(F)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(G)
165 Great peace(H) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(I)
166 I wait for your salvation,(J) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(K) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(L) and your statutes,(M)
    for all my ways are known(N) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(O) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(P) according to your word.(Q)
170 May my supplication come(R) before you;
    deliver me(S) according to your promise.(T)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(U)
    for you teach me(V) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(W) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(X)
173 May your hand be ready to help(Y) me,
    for I have chosen(Z) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(AA) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(AB)
175 Let me live(AC) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(AD)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(AE) your commands.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Sin and Shin

161 (A)Princes persecute me (B)without cause,
    but my heart (C)stands in awe of your words.
162 I (D)rejoice at your word
    like one who (E)finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love (F)your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your (G)righteous rules.
165 Great (H)peace have those who love your law;
    (I)nothing can make them stumble.
166 I (J)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I (K)love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    (L)for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my (M)cry come before you, O Lord;
    (N)give me understanding (O)according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    (P)deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will (Q)pour forth praise,
    for you (R)teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for (S)all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have (T)chosen your precepts.
174 I (U)long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my (V)delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have (W)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not (X)forget your commandments.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, I wait for your salvation (161-168). The Psalmist met persecution without cause, and he was distressed by false accusations. At such a time he did not try to defend himself, nor did he respond with accusations against his enemies. Instead he found joy and peace in the word of the Lord. He came to God in holy fear and trembled at his word. He didn't try to save himself; he waited on the Lord's salvation. He waited for the Lord who formed him and knew all his ways. Second, I long for your salvation (169-176). We live in times when many people have no direction. One who has no direction has lost their way, like a lost sheep. When we turn to the Lord and his word we have hope of being found by God and restored as his servant. The servant of God is the one who seeks God's deliverance. When we seek the Lord through his word, we put all of our hopes in him. Instead of longing for temporary deliverance from hardship, we long for true salvation, which only the Lord can provide. He becomes our hope of eternal salvation in this sinful world.

Prayer: Lord, you alone can truly deliver and truly save. Help me to place all of my hope in you.

One Word: The Lord is our salvation