Psalm 119:123

Psalm 119:123

Failing eyes

We need to ask here, what makes eyes fail? Obviously, old age and failing strength are a cause of failing eyesight but these are not the only causes. In the Scriptures, failing eyesight is seen as a symptom of overwhelming grief and calamitous suffering which means we cannot see clearly, we are focussed only on what is happening to us, right now. Another psychological cause of eye failure is the inner ache caused by longings unsatisfied or hope deferred; when such troubles overwhelm some people, they are incapable of seeing anything else clearly. 

The psalm-writer has constantly referred to his own inner anguish, his physical sickness and also the unrelenting assaults of his antagonists. It is from this pit of despair that he has tenaciously clung to God’s Word as the only familiar source of comfort, truth and support. Nothing and no one else can be trusted. But now he blames his failing eyesight on two things! Two things that he has been searching for, two things that have been the focus of his yearnings, the first is God’s salvation and the second is His righteous promise. The author has sought these compulsively but obviously with no success and now he holds the Lord God to account! “Why, I have strained by eyes looking for your help and yet I see no respite. Why are You not answering me, Lord? Why are you not delivering me from my despair?” 

We can all think of situations where we ourselves, or those close to us, seem to be in a never-ending search for answers and heart-wrenching pleas to the Lord seem to go unanswered. This verse does not provide answers, neither will I. Sometimes we just cannot explain what is really going on. Sometimes perhaps, we even have to stop searching!

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