Mazmur 119:83-86

119:83 For ¹  I am like a wineskin ²  dried up in smoke. ³ 

I do not forget your statutes.

119:84 How long must your servant endure this? ⁴ 

When will you judge those who pursue me?

119:85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, ⁵ 

which violates your law. ⁶ 

119:86 All your commands are reliable.

I am pursued without reason. ⁷  Help me!

[119:83]  ¹ tn Or “even though.”

[119:83]  ² tn The Hebrew word נֹאד (no’d, “leather container”) refers to a container made from animal skin which is used to hold wine or milk (see Josh 9:4, 13; Judg 4:19; 1 Sam 16:20).

[119:83]  ³ tn Heb “in the smoke.”

[119:84]  ⁴ tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”

[119:85]  ⁵ tn Heb “for me.”

[119:85]  ⁶ tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”

[119:86]  ⁷ sn God’s commands are a reliable guide to right and wrong. By keeping them the psalmist is doing what is right, yet he is still persecuted.