Psalms 119:123 - Meaning and Application

David is oppressed here, and he is waiting and longing for the Lord’s salvation, because that alone would bring him peace. He feels that it is coming slowly: “My eyes fail for your salvation.” His eyes have been fixed on it for a long time. He looked for help from heaven, and we fool ourselves if we look anywhere else for it.

But help did not come as quickly as he hoped. So his eyes began to grow weak with waiting, and at times he was nearly ready to give up. He even felt that, because salvation had not come when he expected it, it might never come. Even good people often grow tired of waiting for God’s time after their own time has run out.

Still, David does not doubt that salvation will come for sure. He is waiting for the word of God’s righteousness, that is, God’s righteous promise, and for no other kind of rescue. That word cannot fail, because it is a word of righteousness. Even when our eyes grow weak, God’s word does not fail. So all who rely on it, though discouraged for now, will see his salvation in due time.