AYIN – THE TRIAL OF OPPRESSION – Psalm 119:121-128

In stanza 19 of literature's greatest acrostic song, our author continues crying out to God for salvation in spite of his enemies. He implores the Lord to rescue him from his oppressors. Each verse of his cry begins with the letter: 'Ayin' in the original Hebrew. As the Psalmist's journey continues to encounter trials and difficulties, we find that his spirit refuses to succumb to weariness or despair. In the face of still more hardship, he remains sustained and satisfied in the sufficient means supplied by His Lord and Savior. He makes good use of waiting or answered prayers by nurturing deeper love, dependence, and appreciation for the covenant revelation of his God. He identifies himself as a servant to his master willing to endure whatever is required of him even as he longs for divine intervention. This stanza contains a sense of suspense in waiting for the coming of the Lord. The prayers of the saints and the insolence of the wicked both serve to hasten that day. The day of the Lord is according to covenant terms bearing with it a great reckoning demand according to the law of God. In light of this, the singer takes refuge in the promises and steadfast love of the One True Sovereign. In light of the perspective of human weakness and God's ultimacy... the psalmist models sanctified affections for the salvation, promise, statutes, testimonies, law, commandments, and precepts of Yahweh. These are to be treasured more than gold itself. As the love for God's revelation increases, so does our intolerance for every false way.