The psalmist openly confesses his longing. He yearns for God’s salvation. He looks beyond present distress to the deliverance the Lord has promised. At the same time, he declares, “your law is my delight.” We find the Hebrew word translated “delight,” shaashuim, used again in this psalm, accounting now for five of its nine occurrences in all of Scripture. It is a plural noun conveying abundant joy or overflowing pleasure. Clearly, Psalm 119 is calling us to delight in God’s word, as the word of God refreshes his soul even while he waits. Psalm 1:3 describes the righteous person as one who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Such a life is stable and fruitful. So here, delight and longing stand together. He longs for salvation, and he delights in the law that promises it. Spurgeon writes, “God’s law, contained in the ten commandments, gives joy to believers. God’s law, that is, the entire Bible, is a well-spring of consolation and enjoyment to all who receive it. Though we have not yet reached the fulness of our salvation, yet we find in God’s word so much concerning a present salvation that we are even now delighted.” He longs, and he delights. And his prayer for deliverance will be answered one way or another, because the God who promises salvation never fails to keep his word.
