Psalms 119:81

KJV

¶ CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: [but] I hope in thy word.

KJV (with Strong's)

CAPH. My soul {H5315} fainteth {H3615} for thy salvation {H8668}: but I hope {H3176} in thy word {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(Kaf) I am dying to know your salvation; my hope is in your word.

Berean Standard Bible

My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.

American Standard Version

My soul fainteth for thy salvation; ButI hope in thy word.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:81, found within the "CAPH" section of this extensive acrostic psalm, articulates the psalmist's profound and desperate longing for God's salvation, a yearning so intense it causes the soul to faint. Yet, amidst this deep weariness and fervent desire for divine deliverance, the psalmist simultaneously declares an unwavering and confident hope firmly anchored in God's revealed word. This verse beautifully captures the tension between human frailty and the steadfast reliability of divine promise, illustrating a faith that perseveres through intense suffering by clinging to God's truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem structured around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 octaves (sections of eight verses) begins with a different letter, and every verse within that octave starts with that same letter. The "CAPH" section (verses 81-88), where Psalms 119:81 resides, is characterized by an intense expression of suffering, affliction, and persecution, coupled with a persistent plea for God's intervention and a steadfast reliance on His statutes despite the trials. The psalmist's "fainting" soul immediately precedes a lament about being "like a bottle in the smoke" ([Psalms 119:83](/psalms/119-83 "Psalm 119:83 - A Soul Like a Bottle in Smoke")), highlighting the depth of his distress and the prolonged nature of his waiting. This immediate context underscores the urgency of the psalmist's cry for salvation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical setting of Psalms 119 is not explicitly stated, it reflects the experience of a devout Israelite living under the Old Covenant, deeply committed to God's Torah (Law/Word). The "salvation" longed for could encompass deliverance from personal enemies, national oppression, or simply the pervasive difficulties and injustices of life. The concept of "fainting" for salvation would have resonated deeply in a culture where physical and spiritual well-being were often intertwined, and where the community frequently faced external threats or internal struggles. The "word" (Torah) was central to Israelite identity and worship, serving as the divine instruction for life, a source of wisdom, and the foundation of their covenant relationship with God. In times of distress, the faithful would naturally turn to God's revealed will as their ultimate source of hope and guidance, as seen in the broader narrative of Israel's journey through the wilderness and their establishment in the land, where the Law was their constant companion and guide ([Deuteronomy/6](/deuteronomy/6 "Deuteronomy 6 - Love the Lord Your God")).

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 119:81 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 119 and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is the **absolute supremacy and sufficiency of God's Word** as the source of life, wisdom, and hope in all circumstances. The psalmist's "fainting" soul highlights the theme of **human frailty and desperate dependence on God**, acknowledging that true deliverance comes only from Him. This longing for "salvation" (Hebrew: *yeshu'ah*) is not merely for physical rescue but often encompasses spiritual restoration and vindication, reflecting a deep desire for God's righteous intervention ([Psalms/3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the Lord")). The declaration of "hope in thy word" underscores the theme of **unwavering faith and perseverance** despite prolonged suffering, demonstrating that God's promises are a steadfast anchor even when circumstances are dire. This hope is not a passive wish but an active, enduring trust that sustains the believer through trials, echoing the call to wait patiently for the Lord found in [Psalms/27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fainteth (Hebrew, _kamah'_):** This verb conveys a strong sense of longing, pining, or becoming weak and exhausted from intense desire or waiting. It depicts a soul that is utterly spent, not merely tired, but literally "worn out" or "consumed" by a fervent and unfulfilled yearning. It suggests a physical manifestation of deep spiritual and emotional distress, indicating a profound need that has not yet been met, leading to a state of near collapse.
* **Salvation (Hebrew, _yeshu'ah'_):** This term is rich in meaning, encompassing deliverance, rescue, victory, prosperity, and well-being. It refers to God's saving act, His intervention to bring relief, vindication, or restoration. In the context of the psalmist's suffering, it implies a longing for God to act decisively to free him from his afflictions, whether they be from enemies, injustice, or the general distress of life. It is a comprehensive term for God's redemptive power and benevolent action.
* **Hope (Hebrew, _yachal'_):** This word signifies a patient, enduring expectation, a confident waiting, or a trust in something or someone. It is not a mere wish but a firm reliance on a future reality based on the character and promises of God. The contrast with "fainteth" is striking: despite the soul's exhaustion, the psalmist's hope remains active and steadfast, anchored not in his feelings or circumstances, but in the unwavering reliability of God's word.
* **Word (Hebrew, _davar_ or _imrah'_):** In Psalms 119, the psalmist uses various synonyms for God's revealed will, including *davar* (word, command, promise, decree) and *imrah* (utterance, saying, promise). Both terms refer to God's authoritative and living communication to humanity, encompassing His laws, statutes, precepts, testimonies, and promises. It is this divine revelation that serves as the solid ground for the psalmist's hope, providing guidance, comfort, and assurance in a world of uncertainty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My soul fainteth for thy salvation:"** This initial clause vividly expresses the psalmist's profound distress and intense yearning. The "soul" (*nephesh*) here represents the entirety of the psalmist's being—his inner self, his life-force, his emotions, and his will. The use of "fainteth" (from *kamah*) paints a picture of extreme exhaustion and desperate longing, as if the very life of the psalmist is being drained by the unfulfilled desire for God's saving intervention. It is a raw, honest confession of human weakness and an urgent cry for divine rescue from a state of deep affliction or prolonged waiting.
* **"but I hope in thy word."** This second clause introduces a powerful contrast, marked by the conjunction "but." Despite the overwhelming weariness and desperate longing expressed in the first half, the psalmist's hope remains firmly fixed. This hope is not based on his own strength or changing circumstances, but entirely "in thy word"—God's revealed truth, His promises, and His unchanging character. This declaration highlights an active, intentional choice to trust God's faithfulness even when the soul is weary, demonstrating a resilient faith that transcends immediate feelings and finds its anchor in the eternal reliability of divine revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:81 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Juxtaposition** (or **Antithesis**) is central, creating a powerful contrast between the psalmist's internal state of "fainting" and his external declaration of "hope." This stark opposition highlights the tension between human weakness and divine strength, emphasizing that hope in God's word can exist even amidst profound despair. **Personification** is evident in "My soul fainteth," attributing a human physical action (fainting) to the non-physical "soul," thereby emphasizing the depth and totality of the psalmist's internal anguish and desperate longing. Furthermore, the phrase "fainteth for thy salvation" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis, underscoring the extreme intensity of the psalmist's desire and the prolonged nature of his suffering. This vivid imagery draws the reader into the psalmist's emotional experience, making his subsequent declaration of hope all the more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:81 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring nature of faith in the face of prolonged suffering and unfulfilled longing. It articulates a fundamental theological truth: while human experience is often marked by weakness, weariness, and desperate need, God's Word remains an unshakeable foundation for hope. The psalmist's "fainting" soul acknowledges the reality of human frailty and the legitimate emotional toll of waiting for God's intervention, yet his hope is not diminished by this weakness but rather redirected to the steadfastness of God's promises. This verse beautifully illustrates how genuine faith is not the absence of struggle, but rather the tenacious clinging to divine truth when all else seems to fail, affirming that God's faithfulness is the ultimate anchor for the soul.

* [Psalms 42:1-2](/psalms/42-1 "Psalm 42:1-2 - A Soul Thirsting for God")
* [Psalms 119:49](/psalms/119-49 "Psalm 119:49 - Hope in God's Word")
* [Romans 15:4](/romans/15-4 "Romans 15:4 - Endurance and Encouragement from Scripture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 119:81 offers profound spiritual nourishment for every believer navigating seasons of intense longing, weariness, or delayed answers to prayer. It validates the human experience of feeling utterly spent and desperate for God's intervention, reassuring us that it is not a sign of weak faith to acknowledge our "fainting" soul. In fact, this verse encourages us to bring our raw, unvarnished yearning before God. More importantly, it provides the antidote: despite the intensity of our need and the depth of our weariness, our hope must remain firmly rooted in God's unchanging Word. This is an active, intentional choice to trust His character and His promises, even when our emotions or circumstances scream otherwise. It calls us to persevere, to continually immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing its truth to rekindle our hope and strengthen our resolve, knowing that God's timing is perfect and His salvation is sure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel your "soul fainteth" or experiences deep weariness and unfulfilled longing?**
* **How does acknowledging your desperate need for God's salvation, rather than suppressing it, open you up to His strength?**
* **What specific promises or truths from God's Word are you clinging to when your hope feels challenged or delayed?**
* **How can you more intentionally anchor your hope in God's Word daily, especially during seasons of waiting or distress?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for the "soul" to "fainteth" in this verse?**
Answer: When the psalmist says "My soul fainteth," it signifies a profound and overwhelming sense of exhaustion, weakness, and desperate longing. The Hebrew word *kamah* implies pining away or being consumed by an intense desire that remains unfulfilled. It's not merely physical tiredness but a deep, spiritual, and emotional weariness that affects one's entire being. It indicates a soul that is utterly spent from waiting for God's deliverance or from enduring prolonged suffering, expressing a fervent, almost painful, yearning for God's saving intervention. This vivid imagery communicates the depth of the psalmist's distress and the urgency of his need for divine rescue.

**How is the "hope" mentioned here different from mere wishful thinking?**
Answer: The hope expressed in Psalms 119:81 is fundamentally different from wishful thinking. The Hebrew word *yachal* implies a patient, enduring expectation and a confident trust, often rooted in a covenant relationship. It is not a vague desire for something good to happen, but a firm reliance on the character and revealed promises of God. While the psalmist's soul may be "fainting" due to the delay of salvation, his hope remains steadfast because it is anchored "in thy word"—God's unchanging, reliable, and authoritative revelation. This hope is an active, intentional choice to trust God's faithfulness, even when circumstances are dire, knowing that He is true to His promises and will act in His perfect timing ([Hebrews/10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - He Who Promised Is Faithful")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:81 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is both the embodiment of God's "salvation" and the living "Word." The psalmist's desperate longing for *yeshu'ah* (salvation) points forward to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, who is uniquely identified as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John/1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). He is the ultimate deliverance from sin, death, and all forms of spiritual and existential distress. Furthermore, Jesus is the very "Word" (*Logos*) made flesh ([John/1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the perfect revelation of God's character and will. Our hope is no longer merely in written precepts but in a Person—the resurrected Christ—who has perfectly fulfilled God's law and promises. When our souls faint under the weight of sin, suffering, or the brokenness of this world, our confident expectation is found in Jesus, who offers rest for the weary soul ([Matthew/11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the faithful and true witness, the anchor for our souls, providing an enduring hope that transcends all temporal trials and guarantees eternal salvation ([Hebrews/6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 84:2

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Psalms 119:40

¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Revelation 3:15

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Psalms 119:77

Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law [is] my delight.

Song Of Solomon 5:8

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I [am] sick of love.