י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame. NIV
In what ways do the two lines of verse 73 belong together?
With verse 74 in mind, think of someone you know who follows after God. What does that person do that inspires you to grow as a follower of God too?
Looking at verses 75-58, what would you say is the context of this tenth stanze of Psalm 119? In other words, what is the author experiencing?
How do the first two verses of this stanza (73-74) form a bookend with the last two verses (79-80)? What outcome does the author desire in the midst of these circumstances?
::::: Application Challenge :::::
When you are in the midst of troubling circumstances, how do you pray? What outcome do you request from God when faced with adversity? What practical application points can be found in these verses that could deepen your prayers during hardship?