Psalm 119:83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
See All... states, "For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes." "What an affecting picture of misery! Not only were his patience and hope—but his very body—‘dried up’ by long-continued affliction. (Proverbs 17:22A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
See All...) This is he, who in the prime of youth was ‘ruddy and of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to’ (1 Samuel 16:12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
See All...),--now shriveled up like a bottle of skin (Joshua 9:4They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
See All...; Matthew 9:17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
See All...), hung up in the smoke… How did this man of God behave? When his soul was fainting, his hope in the word kept him from sinking. (Psalm 119:81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
See All...) Under the further continuance of the trial, the same recollection gives him support—yet do I not forget thy statutes. (Compare Psalm 119:51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
See All..., 61, 109, 141; Psalm 44:17-19 [17] All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. [18] Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; [19] Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
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