“Look at my affliction and rescue me,
For I have not forgotten Your Law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.”

“Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
Great are Your mercies, Lord;
Revive me according to Your judgments.”

“Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
I see the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not keep Your word.”

“Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, Lord, according to Your faithfulness.
The sum of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.”

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Context and Meaning

This stanza (Resh) is a heartfelt prayer for deliverance, revival, and vindication. Surrounded by affliction, enemies, and treacherous people, the psalmist clings to God’s Word as his lifeline.

He appeals to God’s mercy, faithfulness, and justice, declaring that the entirety of God’s Word is truth and His judgments are eternal.

Key Themes:

1. Affliction and Rescue: The psalmist pleads for God’s intervention in trouble (v. 153).
2. God as Advocate and Redeemer: He looks to God to plead his cause (v. 154).
3. Mercy as the Source of Revival: Revival comes through God’s mercies and judgments (v. 156).
4. Faithfulness Amid Persecution: Despite many enemies, the psalmist clings to the Word (v. 157).
5. Hatred of Treachery: Rejection of the treacherous is rooted in love for God’s Word (v. 158).
6. Love for God’s Precepts: A deep affection for God’s commands fuels his plea (v. 159).
7. The Sum of God’s Word Is Truth: Every word is righteous and everlasting (v. 160).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 119:153–160 teaches us that in affliction, revival is found in God’s Word and God’s character:

• God rescues those who cling to His Law – “Rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your Law” (v. 153) recalls Psalm 34:19: the Lord delivers the righteous out of all their troubles.
• God is our advocate and redeemer – “Plead my cause and redeem me” (v. 154) mirrors 1 John 2:1: Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father.
• Revival flows from mercy – “Great are Your mercies, Lord” (v. 156) aligns with Lamentations 3:22–23: His mercies are new every morning.
• Faithfulness endures persecution – “Many are my persecutors… yet I do not turn aside” (v. 157) echoes Matthew 10:22: the one who endures to the end will be saved.
• God’s Word is complete truth – “The sum of Your word is truth” (v. 160) parallels John 17:17: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

Application

• Cry Out to God in Affliction: Trust Him to see, rescue, and redeem.
• Cling to God’s Word When Opposed: Let His truth anchor you against many enemies.
• Rely on His Mercies Daily: Seek revival from His unfailing compassion.
• Hate Treachery, Love the Word: Stand apart from falsehood by treasuring Scripture.
• Rest in God’s Eternal Truth: His Word in its entirety is true and everlasting.

Closing Thought

In times of affliction, persecution, and treachery, God’s Word revives, His mercies sustain, and His truth stands forever.
“The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.”