By the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119, the writer has reached the end of his rope. Though his suffering is undeserved (v 86), it is unrelenting (v 84), and almost more than he can take (v 87). We all have our troubles, but this guy’s enemies want to kill him and see him buried (v 84-85, 87). No wonder he’s depressed! In such extreme moments, our Bible reading and prayer are often the first activities to be set aside. It may be significant that v 84 is the first verse in this psalm that fails to mention the Word of God. When the psalmist was most down, did he temporarily lose sight of his lifeline? Thankfully, by the end of the stanza, he turns his attention once again to God’s Word; for in reality, Bible reading and prayer are like life preservers for a drowning man (v 88). In answer to this gasping cry, the twelfth stanza contains an entirely different tone. Now passing the midpoint of the psalm, we are led forward and upward again, encouraged to build our lives on the only foundation that’s truly reliable and everlasting. Martin Luther said, “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me. The Bible is not antique or modern. It is eternal.” This is so important for us to remember! Since God’s Word stands firm in the heavens, it can always be trusted on earth (v 89-91). For the psalmist, this is what got him through those extremely hard times. When we face trouble, we probably cry out to God for His help. But we often do no more, expecting God to miraculously intervene. The psalmist prayed, but wisely, he also studied and meditated on the Bible—for this is how God lifts us out of our trouble and sets our feet on a firm foundation. As we delight in God’s Word, we too will experience His rescue and renewal (v 92-93). Surrounded by enemies, the psalmist needed God’s salvation constantly. We too face “many dangers, toils, and snares”—both physical and spiritual. But those who belong to God can rest assured in His salvation. He has saved us in Christ, He will keep on saving us, and He will save us to the very end (v 94-95). Like Jesus, the psalmist also knew that there is one thing that will remain forever, and that is God’s Word. Even this apparently stable earth we inhabit will someday pass away. Activities that fill our lives now will seem meaningless on our death beds. Only in God and His commandments do we get beyond the frustrating limits of this world. While imperfections mark every other place we might turn for consolation or hope, there is no limit to the perfect trustworthiness of Scripture, the only solid foundation for your life (v 96). For further meditation: