They almost crushed him with trouble, but he remained devoted to God’s word.
“They almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts” (v.87). This portion of Psalm 119 shows the psalmist nearing the brink of ruin at the hands of powerful adversaries. In spite of such danger, the psalmist clings to God’s commands rather than abandoning faith. His statement “They almost destroyed me on earth” implies a dire threat, yet it also underscores the resilience of one who trusts the Lord. Affliction often reveals the depth of devotion: when all appears lost, devotion to God’s word brings both comfort and hope.
As the psalmist endures these hardships, he finds strength by turning to the commands of the Lord. By saying, “I did not forsake Your precepts,” the psalmist declares unwavering loyalty to divine truth, confident that it outlasts any earthly threat. This unwavering stance is woven throughout Psalm 119: from celebration of God’s statutes as life and peace, to references such as “Your word is a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105). Remaining steadfast in God’s instruction becomes a source of guidance, enabling the believer to navigate adversity without succumbing to hopelessness.
Moreover, this verse points to the theme that, though the faithful may suffer greatly in the world, they are never without God’s sustaining presence. Jesus also taught that tribulations are inevitable (John 16:33), yet the faithfulness modeled in this psalm provides a template for trusting God’s promises. By not forsaking God’s precepts, we receive life-giving light and find a firm foundation for our steps, confident that divine teaching can carry us even in the harshest storms.
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Psalms 119:87 meaning
“They almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts” (v.87). This portion of Psalm 119 shows the psalmist nearing the brink of ruin at the hands of powerful adversaries. In spite of such danger, the psalmist clings to God’s commands rather than abandoning faith. His statement “They almost destroyed me on earth” implies a dire threat, yet it also underscores the resilience of one who trusts the Lord. Affliction often reveals the depth of devotion: when all appears lost, devotion to God’s word brings both comfort and hope.
As the psalmist endures these hardships, he finds strength by turning to the commands of the Lord. By saying, “I did not forsake Your precepts,” the psalmist declares unwavering loyalty to divine truth, confident that it outlasts any earthly threat. This unwavering stance is woven throughout Psalm 119: from celebration of God’s statutes as life and peace, to references such as “Your word is a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105). Remaining steadfast in God’s instruction becomes a source of guidance, enabling the believer to navigate adversity without succumbing to hopelessness.
Moreover, this verse points to the theme that, though the faithful may suffer greatly in the world, they are never without God’s sustaining presence. Jesus also taught that tribulations are inevitable (John 16:33), yet the faithfulness modeled in this psalm provides a template for trusting God’s promises. By not forsaking God’s precepts, we receive life-giving light and find a firm foundation for our steps, confident that divine teaching can carry us even in the harshest storms.