We come to the end of our journey through Psalm 119. The next two sections remind us of the psalm’s great themes

First, God’s faithful people will suffer injustice at the hands of the wicked. This theme resounds through all of Scripture, from the murder of righteous Abel by his wicked brother Cain (Genesis 4:1–16) to the cries of the Christian martyrs in Revelation 6:9–11. Section 20 of Psalm 119 (vv. 153–160) begins with, “Look on my suffering and deliver me” (v. 153), and then recalls that “many are the foes who persecute me” (v. 157). This saint’s suffering wasn’t just occasional or at the hands of a few. Most of us may not face relentless opposition from other people, but we are constantly oppressed by, and at war with, the world (John 15:18–19), the flesh (1 Peter 2:11), and the devil (Ephesians 6:12). Psalm 119 reminds us not to be taken by surprise when trials come. And if you ask, “Why is this happening to me?”, the answer is that you’re a faithful servant of God in a world rebelling against Him.

Section 21 (vv. 161–168) highlights the second, and greatest theme of the psalm: the delight of the believer in the beauty of God’s Law. Again, he reiterates his love for God’s Law (vv. 163, 165, 167) and praises God for His laws (vv. 162, 164). In knowing and obeying God’s laws, he experiences great peace (v. 165) and the hope of salvation (v. 166). At the same time, the psalmist reminds us that love and fear, delight and awe, are not polar opposites. He also trembles in the presence of the same laws he loves (v. 161). This is the believer’s right response to God, because God’s laws express His character.

We must hold love and fear together. A relationship with God devoid of godly fear is too easily susceptible to temptation and may cause us to approach God too casually or disrespectfully. But a heart empty of passionate love for God leads to cold religiosity and dishonours all that the Father has done to demonstrate His love for us.

The 22nd and final section (vv. 169–176) is a model of the kind of godly prayers God longs to hear. The psalmist asks for God’s help to know how to live a faithful life (v. 169). He asks for help and deliverance from his trials (vv. 170, 173, 174). He longs to live a life of praise and witness to God (vv. 171, 172, 175). Finally, he confesses how he sometimes feels lost and alone in a complex and hostile world. He hasn’t abandoned God—in the same breath he says he’s remembered God’s commandments (v. 176).

Like us, this faithful believer knows that if he wants to keep walking the path of obedience, his only hope is the presence and guidance of God. So, Lord, “seek your servant” (v. 176).