“Strength in Weakness”

Psalm 119:28  My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word.

The Psalmist here expresses his extreme trouble—and it is a spiritual sorrow.  The word “melts” in reference to his soul denotes literally a “dropping away.”  It is so serious that his soul is consumed.  Just as the sorrows of man are so far more intense than the sorrows of an animal, so also the sorrows of a spiritual man are so much more keen and intense than those of the natural man.  The Psalmist here knows the character of sin and the claims of God, and his conscience is ever so sensitive to the slightest touch of evil.

            Notice the request in this verse—it is not for the removal of the affliction, but for the strength of grace to bear it.  Recognizing the nature of the affliction and the desire to be sustained until it should have accomplished its perfect work is the proper attitude toward this spiritual trial.  We do well to remember like the Apostle Paul that God’s grace and strength is what we must always depend upon.  (2 Corinthians 12:9).