Psalms 119:145

STROPHE 19

PRAYER FOR SALVATION FROM ENEMIES IN THE PRESENCE OF GREAT PERIL

Qoph

"I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:

I will keep thy statutes.

I have called unto thee; save me,

And I will observe thy testimonies.

I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:

I hoped in thy words.

Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,

That I might meditate on thy word.

Hear my voice according to thy lovingkindness:

Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.

They draw nigh that follow after wickedness;

They are far from thy law.

Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;

And all thy commandments are truth.

Of old have I known from thy testimonies,

That thou hast founded them forever."

"I have called with my whole heart" (Psalms 119:145). This is the primary earmark of an acceptable prayer. As Spurgeon said, "There may be no beauty of elocution in such prayers, no length of expression, no depth of doctrine nor accuracy of diction; but if the whole heart be in them, they will find their way to the heart of God."[48]

"I anticipated the dawning of the morning" (Psalms 119:147). The King James has this, "I prevented the dawning, etc.," the same being an example of how the meaning of words has changed since the publication of the KJV in the year 1611, A.D. The American Standard Version is an improvement; but the RSV is still better, "I rise before dawn and cry for help."

"They draw near that follow after wickedness" (Psalms 119:150). The marginal reading sheds light on what is meant. "They draw near that persecute me with wickedness."

"Thou art nigh, O Jehovah" (Psalms 119:151). No matter how near to the believer the forces of evil may come, the nearness of God himself is the true and sufficient protection. Many hymns are founded upon the soul's fervent cry for nearness to God. "Nearer My God to Thee," "Nearer, Still Nearer," and "Nearer the Cross" are examples.[49]