Simply teaching the Bible, simply

“In this section the Psalmist seems to draw still nearer to God in prayer, and to state his case and to invoke the divine help with more of boldness and expectation. It is a pleading passage, and the key word of it is, “Consider.” With much boldness he pleads his intimate union with the Lord’s cause as a reason why he should be aided. The special aid that he seeks is personal quickening, for which he cries to the Lord again and again”. CHS At first glance it would seem this section is a return to the despondency and pain the Psalmist had previously wrestled with; and it is entirely possible this is the case for we are all capable, however much we have grown in grace, to have a spiritual relapse and once again look to the flesh-life for comfort, only to find our old troubles gleefully anticipating our arrival! Sin is never far from us and just like Simon Peter, the moment we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to sink. However, there is a difference in this section to his previous lamenting. Here there is hope; there is the anticipation and expectation that, though his praying has reminded of his troubles again, the present affliction will produce “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17). This section then is more about deliverance and salvation than about our present light affliction.