These verses are full of yearning and unsatisfied desire. The soul breaks for longing, cleaves to the dust, and melts for heaviness. We are reminded of the complaint of a godly man, uttered two centuries and a half ago: "If God had not said, "˜Blessed are those that hunger,' I know not what could keep weak Christians from sinking into despair. Many times all I can do is to complain that I want Him and wish to recover Him."
We learn from this psalm to pour out before God such desires. If we can do nothing else, we can complain that we are lacking in relish, in the sense of His nearness, and in the comfort of holy prayer. The expression of desire for God is prayer, which He accepts and will answer. "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them," Psalms 145:19. When the father of the prodigal first saw him, he was a long way off, but love could not wait till the son had traversed that intervening distance. He ran to meet him, and kissed him, while the words of confession were trembling on his lips. So God will draw near to quicken, strengthen, teach, and cause us to understand. Then we shall run where now we limp. [source]
Chapter Summary: Psalms 119
1This psalm contains various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience 2Aleph 9Beth 17Gimel 25Daleth 33He 41Waw 49Zayin 57Heth 65Teth 73Yodh 81Kaph 89Lamedh 97Mem 105Nun 113Samekh 121Ayin 129Pe 137Tsadhe 145Qoph 153Resh 161Sin and Shin 169Taw
What do the individual words in Psalms 119:18 mean?
Openmy eyesthat I may seeWondrous thingsfrom Your law
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, feminine plural
Root: פָּלָא
Sense: to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action.